3 Ways to Have a Healed Girl Summer: A Jacksonville Therapist’s Guide to Rest, Joy, and Self-Care for Women

Written By Shanti Hollis
Therapist for women in Jacksonville, Florida

Shanti Hollis, MS, LMHC offers therapy in Jacksonville, FL and virtually throughout Florida for women and teen girls seeking support as they heal from anxiety, depression, and past trauma.

You’ve probably heard of Hot Girl Summer, but what if your summer didn’t have to be about hustle, pressure, or perfectly curated Instagram moments? What if this summer was about healing?

As a therapist for women in Jacksonville (and a firm believer in matcha, flower gardens, and mental rest), I’m inviting you into something different: a Healed Girl Summer. One that includes rest, millennial joy, and the kind of soft self-compassion that helps you feel whole again.

Here are 3 ways to build your own Healed Girl Summer, plus a reading list to feed your soul and local spots to explore.

1. Let Joy Be the Plan (Not the Reward)

When you’re used to earning rest or joy, after a stressful week, a productive day, or emotional burnout, it can feel radical to choose joy just because. But healing happens when you stop waiting for permission.

This summer, I’m rollerblading for no reason other than it makes me smile and my inner child loves it. I’m working in my garden simply for the satisfaction of seeing my effort come to fruition. I’m planning day trips with zero agenda except fun and fresh air.

Ways to Build in Joy:

2. Let Rest Count as Productivity

Healing means shifting out of survival mode, and that often means rewriting what “productive” even means. This summer, rest gets to matter. Blank space on your calendar isn’t laziness…it’s healing in progress.

As a Jacksonville therapist, I see so many women (especially millennial women) burning out from high-functioning anxiety, perfectionism, or past trauma. That’s why this summer, rest isn’t the break from your life. It’s part of your life.

Ways to Practice Rest:

  • Design a “slow morning” routine: Start your day with a visit to the serene Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens or the peaceful UNF Botanical Garden to connect with nature and find tranquility.

  • Schedule non-negotiable quiet time each week: Whether it's a hammock nap in your backyard or a leisurely walk along the beach, prioritize moments that allow you to recharge.

  • Practice saying, “That’s enough for today,” even when your to-do list says otherwise.

3. Let Self-Compassion Set the Tone

This summer, talk to yourself like someone you love. That might look like catching the critical voice in your head and replacing it with something softer. It might mean not pushing through when your body says stop. It might mean letting go of the pressure to be “better” and just being here.

Ways to Practice Self-Compassion:

  • Use post-it notes or phone reminders: Place affirmations like “You’re allowed to rest” or “Progress isn’t linear” around your home or workspace.

  • Practice “gentle check-ins” with yourself: Ask, "What do I need right now, water, space, comfort, movement?" and honor your needs.

  • Let go of the need to earn softness: Your worth isn’t tied to what you accomplish.

Healed Girl Summer Reading List

Here are a few books perfect for porch reading, beach lounging, or cozy evenings under fairy lights:

  • “Set Boundaries, Find Peace” by Nedra Glover Tawwab

  • “Maame” by Jessica George

  • “Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff

  • “Scared Rest” by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

  • “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer

  • or a comforting favorite from your personal library

A Summer Worth Remembering in Jacksonville, FL

Your Healed Girl Summer doesn’t have to be flashy. It just has to be real. Filled with small joys, soft days, laughter, slower mornings, and moments where you feel safe being exactly who you are.

And if this season stirs up old emotions or makes you realize you’re ready to heal deeper wounds, that’s okay too. Therapy for trauma, anxiety, or depression can be a beautiful companion to the life you’re building, one rooted in rest, joy, and wholeness.

If you're looking for a therapist for women or teen girls in Jacksonville, Fl or are curious about online or in person counseling, I’d love to walk alongside you.

Shanti Hollis
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