It's Serotonin Summer

I'm trying to live my best life and frankly, I'm over Hot Girl Summer. I'm over Sad Girl Summer. I'm moved on from Feral Girl aesthetic and Clean Girl vibes. I just want to make choices that I can smile about, and not really give a damn about anything else. Maybe it'll be out-of-pocket? Maybe it'll be cringey? Maybe it'll be a little scheduled or totally spontaneous. Regardless if it's all of that or none, I will be having a Serotonin Summer. I'm not gendering the season, I'm not giving a f*ck.

There aren't many rules of Serotonin Summer. In fact, mostly all of it changes and can be anything you interpret it as. I think that is the beauty of the design. And my rules are as follows...

You can and should and will do WHATEVER makes YOU happy.

Of course, nothing illegal or harmful to yourself or others. I'm talking about making those make-up Tik Toks you've always wanted to do or spend the afternoon learning to cartwheel even if you're 26. You should find the tasks, places, people, or items that make you happiness and cherish them. It's easiest to start small. Being outside makes you happy? Then go on a few mile walk; don't jump ahead and try to run a marathon. And most importantly, let go of fear of judgement because that is when you'll be feeling the best. It's waaaaay easier said than done but baby steps.

You're allowed to change your mind. Did it make you happy in the past but it's not the same anymore? What if you used to hate it but now it's your favorite?

I didn't go to Chris Lake at the Mirage this past weekend. I wasn't upset that I passed on the opportunity at all. But a year ago I would've had extreme FOMO and probably went both nights. Am I over house shows? I don't think so, but I'm over them to the degree that I used to be. I don't need to go to Ultra Miami again, but I'd love to go to Big Gigantic in July. I do have fun but I am learning to enjoy in moderation because it doesn't suit me like it used to.

I used to hate mustard. I thought it was gross and the variations were all weird to me. But recently...I LOVE IT. I put it on everything. I don't know the exact time frame where I picked up a bottle and said, "I've despised you for years but maybe today we'll fall in love" before putting on a burger, but I'm glad I did. And I'm glad I'll keep trying things that once didn't suit me because you never know how you'll surprise yourself.

You are allowed to change. You're allowed to think differently and act differently than you always have if that way doesn't fit who you are or are becoming anymore. So to quote The Front Bottoms, "You say I'm changing / Sorry I didn't know I had to stay the same".

You are who you spend the most time with. Make the time worth it.

Some days we are our own best friends and others it seems that we are our own worst enemies. It's natural...I think. Regardless, I do know that you are who you spend the most time with. You should enjoy that time. No one to go to a new restaurant with? Enjoy a solo date. You can't find a free friend to see the new Jurassic World with? Just means you don't need to share the popcorn with anyone! Once again, it's A LOT easier said than done but doing things solo is therapeutic. Humans are social creatures and it's very, very important to socialize but it's not the end of the world if you branch out and go alone to some ventures. Alone time is needed and theres no reason that alone time HAS to mean sitting in your room all by yourself.

Serotonin Summer is my way of saying f*ck it. You can do what you want, when you want, and with or without whoever. Are you happy? It's all that matters. And if you're not happy, what is it gonna take? I can't sit here and claim I'm sunshine and rainbows. But I can accurately say that I'm trying. I am not in my best days mentally and I'm missing a lot of love from my life right now but the little things I do for myself and Serotonin Summer are my baby steps to feel my best again. I'm inviting y'all to join in the journey.