PSA: Hot Girl Summer has arrived
The dos and don'ts of making the most of it - single or not
Welcome to In Order to Bloom, a space where we’re unpacking the trials, tribulations and wins of being a twenty-something trying to adult. Be sure to comment and share if you love reading, it really helps a lot.
As temperatures finally rose above 20 degrees in London this weekend, and Pub on the Park became the city equivalent of ocean beach for spotting incredibly hot people, I have decided that Hot Girl Summer (HGS) has officially begun.
There’s a myth circulating that in order to participate in HGS, one must meet the following criteria:
Single
Female identifying
Play boy bunny level hot
This is not the case, of course. Because from June through to the end of August, when the ceremonious bank holiday drawers shenanigans to a close, HGS is a mindset and way of living; it’s not just about more notches in the bedpost and, it’s about making the most of this summertime high we all feel.
Coined by the one and only Megan Thee Stallion, Hot Girl Summer has become a global movement. For me, I saw it gain momentum off of social media in the summer of 2021 when we all - finally - left lockdown behind and were outside again.
The flirtatious mood, consistent sunshine, and scent of sweat and strawberry-sweet perfumes colliding were a recipe for hot and heavy disaster in the most glorious way. My friends and I often refer to it as the summer of bad decisions and great stories. It was as if everyone collectively decided to do the absolute most just in case we all got locked up again.
We’ve seemingly all hit that frenzied, pheromone-induced stage of the year where we’re just ravenous for chaos now we can safely leave the house without saying “Do I need to bring a little jacket?”. Dates come in thick and fast, everyone’s having eye sex on the tube and the lines between having fun and making mistakes become blurrier than ever. It’s delicious.
However, debauchery aside, the true premise of HGS is to know your worth, say yes and have fun. Whether that’s with a partner in tow to be a little reckless with, throwing caution to the wind and regaining your confidence with your nearest and dearest, or simply living a little more care-free despite the voices in your head putting your down, the foundations lay in letting go and making the most of it. As the oracle stated:
Got a whole lot of options 'cause you know a bitch poppin'
I'm a hot girl, so you know ain't shit stoppin'
I embrace HGS in the sense that every year, I make plans with my friends, look after myself and stop worrying about how I’m being perceived. I say yes to invites, I wear things Gok Wan would have told me aren’t suited to my body shape, and I actively stop trying to care what people think. It gets easier every time and is the most liberating act of self-care I partake in.
So my advice to you, dear reader, is whether you’re looking to get booed up, love yourself a little more or just have some good old-fashioned fun, embrace this time of year by letting go of the ‘what if’ mindset, and just do it. Because when you’re 50 and sunning yourself on a terrace with your significant other, you’ll still be reminiscent of those summer days. So make sure you have some stories to tell.
Top 3 tips for embracing HGS the right way
This week I thought I’d keep the theme consistent. Rather than tell you what I’m loving, I wanted to share what I do when the sun comes out to make myself feel great and ready to seize the day.
1. Fake tan is your best friend
Whilst I envy those who so much as blink and catch a tan, I know my paled complexion simply doesn’t allow for a natural bronzed glow. So I make it a part of my weekly ritual to shave, exfoliate and fake tan every week to make sure I feel good in my skin. Not only do I feel more confident, but the small pocket of time set aside to do it is like a little bit of ‘me’ time that sets me up raring to go for the weekend.
2. Health is wealth
I’m not here to preach about what healthy should look like, but for me making sure I’m eating right, staying hydrated and moving my body in whatever way feels good makes for a much better mental state. You’re about to be the busiest social butterfly from Thursday to Sunday here on out, with beer garden days and picnics in the park, so make sure you’re keeping some time for yourself to make a nice meal at home, get a workout in and taking some time to recharge your social battery.
3. Send the text
If your friends are anything like mine, finding a date in the diary when everyone is free is a minefield. Making sure you’re staying in touch and actively reaching out to people you may not have made time for recently is super important with how busy this time of year is for everyone. So whether it’s an old workmate, your long-distance bestie or a pal who lives up the road, send the text and ask them when they’re free for a catch-up. It’s the perfect time of year to fit in a sunny stroll with an iced coffee or a little picnic lunch to keep it cheap and cheerful, too.
Thank you for reading In Order to Bloom this week. I hope it’s offering some escape and peace of mind for you this Sunday.
I’d love to know what else you’d like to hear my thoughts on, or any topics you’d like me to unpack - be it dating, friendships or something in the news - so please get in touch with any suggestions by leaving a comment for me!
