The Rise of Hot Girl Summer: Overcoming Depression and Embracing Self-Transformation

I won’t sugarcoat it—2024 hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for me. "2022 Me" and "2023 Me" were epic (seriously, I curated a circus, danced, performed, worked with Netflix, traveled by train, plane, and cruise ship, and even bought a new car—like, how cool is that?).

But! "2024 Janna" is facing her fair share of challenges. I had plans to kick off the year with a podcast, but instead, I found myself navigating a long-distance relationship that didn’t quite go the distance. Hey, at least I got to travel a bit!

(The podcast is called Viva La Humanity, by the way, and you can catch a snippet on Spotify.) It’s bittersweet that the relationship ended, but I’m grateful for the experience.

Now it’s time to turn the page.

On the bright side, I’ve returned to college to finish my Bachelor’s in Communication. After taking four classes last spring, I’ve got just nine more to go. It feels good to be back on track with my goals.

I'm still in a funk even as I write this. I feel like I am forcing myself to be social and attend events so that I can heal myself. I truly do believe every time I hang out with good friends, I heal parts of myself. However...There are new people to meet and new things to see and do, but I just feel like I can only handle so much right now.

Anonymous Quote from Pinterest

I have to break this cycle of feeling dejected. My 2024 funk is a combination of past trauma, existential crisis, physical aches, residual feelings from my break-up, lingering feelings from having to put my childhood dog down, overwhelming thoughts from worldly events, etc.

UCF SVAD: Skeleton

My life is a mosaic of chaos. Life is complicated. I’m not perfect. The wonderful thing is I’m in control of my actions.The good news is that I am motivated to turn a new leaf and with the other half of 2024 make more conscious decisions and positive changes. I have...2ish months until my birthday and 6 months left of the year.

Sidenote...To date, I am 3+ years sober and I also go to therapy pretty much, weekly.

Let me out of this funk though!

So what does Hot Girl Summer look like? What can I do to overcome depression and self-transform? First off, It's best not to force impossible goals or try to overachieve. I just want to feel better both mentally, and physically.

List from Pinterest

Outside of my chaotic schedule,

I plan on:

going to beach, taking new fitness classes, implementing private studio time, modeling for more projects, and hopefully traveling some.

I want to also release full podcast episodes.

I want to own my "craft" and hone in on being more physically active than ever.

I will be taking summer classes so that I can soon finish my degree in Communication.

**If any of my readers are struggling I would urge you to either "ask for help," make small, tiny positive changes to your daily schedule, or just give yourself the time you need to heal. Only you know what's best for you.

Lastly,

Thank you for being here with me on this journey.

"Feel your feelings.

Love the skin you're in.

Keep creating."

Janna Yves