Keeping the Sun in My Step

Some people treat Hot Girl Summer like it’s just a season, cute outfits, beach days, and Instagram-worthy sunsets. And yes, I’m here for all of that. But for me, it’s always been more than a hashtag. It’s a mindset. It’s a reminder that joy, confidence, and self-worth aren’t seasonal trends. They don’t show up in June and disappear in September. They’re the things you carry, even when the weather changes.

This summer wasn’t just about the heat; it was about the growth. The kind of growth you don’t always see in the moment, but you feel deep down when you look back.

I learned that confidence isn’t built in one big “glow-up” moment; it’s built in the small, everyday choices. The quiet, steady ones that add up when no one’s clapping. It’s saying yes to opportunities that scare you, even when your voice shakes. It’s setting boundaries that protect your peace, even when other people don’t understand them. It’s showing up fully, not just when everything is picture-perfect, but when it’s messy, inconvenient, and real.

There were moments of pure sunshine, those carefree, laughter-filled days that make you feel unstoppable, like the whole world is on your side. Long drives with the windows down, late nights that turned into early mornings, and belly laughs that left me out of breath.

And there were storms too, because no season is without them. The kind of storms that don’t just blow in and out in an afternoon, but linger, testing your patience and your peace. There were days when plans fell apart without warning, where the “fun” suddenly felt complicated, and where people or opportunities I thought were solid revealed cracks I couldn’t ignore. Moments where the vibe shifted mid-laugh, and I had to decide whether to cling to what was familiar or let go of what was no longer feeding me.

people at the beach on Labor Day watching the sunset

I learned that sometimes the most freeing thing you can do is walk away, even when you’ve invested time, hope, or love into something. That choosing yourself is not selfish, it’s necessary. That walking away from what isn’t for me is just as important and life-giving as running toward what is.

And here’s the truth: storms aren’t proof you’re failing. They’re proof you’re alive, you’re moving, and you’re brave enough to stand in the rain until you find shelter that feels safe. This summer, I found out I’m not afraid of the clouds anymore. I’ve learned to trust the One who controls the weather, and I’ve learned that sometimes He uses the rain to wash away what was never meant to stay. Like Isaiah 43:2 in the Easy-to-Read Version says, “When you cross through deep water, I will be with you. When you go through rivers, they will not flood you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned. The flames will not hurt you.”

The thing is, “Hot Girl Summer” is really just a fun way of saying I’m embracing the best of myself. And the best of myself isn’t tied to a calendar. Fall, winter, spring… I’m still here. Still glowing. Still showing up. Still refusing to shrink.

The season may change, but I’ll keep the sun in my step and just enough sparkle to make a scene wherever I go. Because seasons change, but who God made me to be stays the same. My worth doesn’t expire, my joy doesn’t run out, and my voice isn’t seasonal. And that, my friends, is worth more than any summer tan.