I’ve heard a lot of chatter on campus lately about how amazing this summer in Marquette will be. As someone spending their first summer away from home here in the coming weeks, I’m honestly looking forward to it. The selection of local entertainment and restaurants alone is incredibly enticing, but Marquette has so much more to offer. My house is within walking distance from the beach. I have lots of friends staying in the area and a couple of incredible job opportunities. I’ve never felt better about where I am. I am really happy for the first time in a long time, and I am absolutely ready for a Hot Girl Summer.

I know summer isn’t quite here yet! Though the days are getting warmer and the changing season is slowly shaking things out of hibernation, Spring isn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows here in the UP. In reality, sunny and 75 is still likely a month or so away. Maybe it’s just me, but I think Hot Girl Summer can wait. I’m ready for Unhinged Girl Spring. 

What is Unhinged Girl Spring? Spring is a time of healing and rebirth. The snow melts away and carries away all the dirt and grime of the winter. As a result, everything feels clean, and everything can start fresh. I don’t know about you all, but I always think the most significant changes in my life occur during the spring. Maybe it’s an astrology thing, or I’m just really good at scheduling my annual internal crises for April.

Regardless, Spring is a time to release your burdens and allow yourself to grow into the changes happening in your life. It’s a chance to rid yourself of extra stress left over from the past so that you can step into a better version of yourself. Isn’t that our ultimate goal as humans: to become the best version of ourselves we can possibly be?

The only hiccup is that we have to actively choose to release our burdens to heal. However, it’s often easier to ignore them altogether. I know I’ve been doing it my whole life. I’m talking guerilla warfare level inner-child healing and personal acceptance.

Choose chaos this spring because this growth does not have to be graceful. Picture a gecko shedding an old layer of skin; sometimes, the best way to release your burdens is to forcefully remove them from your person. Pack those thoughts in a suitcase and throw them in Mother Superior! Write down all your insecurities on a china plate and smash that sucker! Blast your favorite songs in the car whenever you want! 

Personal growth is difficult, especially when the lessons we have to learn are about ourselves. However, I firmly believe you should do what you have to do. At the end of the day, all that matters is that you find a healthy way to release the built-up negative energy in your body. 

For all I care, go to the store in your pajamas! Eat your favorite food while taking a bubble bath! Go for a walk in the rain, if that’s what you’re into! When I feel like I need to release a burden, I like to dance in front of my bathroom mirror and sing at the top of my lungs. I don’t know why, but this is the best way I’ve found to release built-up negative energy for myself. I included a Spotify playlist of some of my favorites for those of you who are interested. 

If you aren’t sure where to start, I suggest meditating on the things you feel are burdening you. Then, when you realize what you want to let go of, you’ll be able to find a healthy way to do it.

So, if you’re still not convinced about having an Unhinged Girl Spring, I would leave you with this last bit of advice: Unhinged Girl Spring or not, take time to nurture yourself, whatever that means for you. Hot Girl Summer will kick us all in the behind if we don’t take the time to prepare ourselves, mind, body and soul.