Burnout & Breakthroughs: Your Voices Pulled Me Out of a Slump

🥱 Let’s talk burnout.

It’s officially April, which means finals season for us in college. We’re thinking about being D O N E, done. These are the last few weeks with our friends here, trying to find meaning and joy in our final classes, and motivating ourselves to open the textbooks and start those study guides ahead of time. We’re looking around our rooms at the pictures and memories we’ve made, reminiscing.

Maybe you’re excited to head into a new space and reset—or maybe you’re sad to say goodbye to a good chapter. For me, it’s a little bit of both.

Recently, I realized I missed the deadline for something I’d been attending all semester for credit... and now I’m not even sure it’ll count. That feeling sucks. It makes the upcoming finals and assignments feel even heavier.

One silver lining? This weekend, I’m celebrating both my mom’s and my boyfriend’s birthdays, and I’m so excited to be with them again. That little moment of joy and gratitude reminded me of you—all of you who’ve supported me through this endeavor of bringing sweat-hiding clothes to life.

🫂 Your Words, Your Impact

“I SWEAT SO MUCH IT IS INCREDIBLY EMBARRASSING—PLEASE LET ME WORK WITH YOU THIS IS AMAZING.” – Victoria

That one made me chuckle and smile with satisfaction. Victoria, wherever you are, I hear you. I’m with you, sweat stains are THE WORST. I’m so glad you found us.

Here are just a few more messages I took a second look at to completely turned my week around:

💧 “I’m very interested in this as someone who rides their bike for transportation a lot and wants to look stylish at the same time.” – Ali
💧 “My boyfriend sent me your flyer. I tend to get sweaty and also dress in business casual for my student org. I have a big internship this summer and want to look good—without sweat!!!!” – Kit
💧 “My roommate, who’s a fashion major, showed me the pamphlet you guys have hung around campus. I have hyperhidrosis and deal with it every day. I’m very interested in your products!” – Sarah
💧 “I suffer from hyperhidrosis, so I would LOVE to see what you guys come up with!” – Salem
💧 “I saw your message in a dance GroupMe... it’s something that’s important to me too.” – Grace
💧 “I religiously live in sweats. I’d be happy to share your product on Insta!” – Tisha
💧 “I swear I’m the sweatiest person when I work out lol.” – Lily
💧 “I use clinical antiperspirant or I’m SCREWED.” – Grace

Your words reminded me: this isn’t just a business idea. It’s a movement.

A quiet, powerful rebellion against sweat marks, shame, and silent discomfort. I’m so grateful for all of you, these notes have truly given me such a sense of community. Ava’s Armour exists because of people like you—who keep it real, who want comfort and confidence, and who are done settling for less.

🪜What’s Next, Thanks to You

We’ve finally received our first samples of two finished fabrics that may be the answer to our problems! I’m excited to test them out, and now’s the time to find a factory that can help me assemble some prototypes—once I test the samples (fingers crossed they work so we can get them in your hands!).

👚 Want to Test It?

If you want to help me wear-test the early pieces, DM me on Instagram @therealavasarmour 💌
You don’t need to be a “model.” Just be you (and maybe a little sweaty 😉).

💫 Gratitude in the Midst of Chaos

A lot of you sent these messages during midterms—while juggling classes, jobs, caffeine crashes, and just trying to hold it all together.

Same here.

I see you. I’ve spotted you on campus—rushing to class or a career fair—and I’m so, so glad we’re in this together.

Now that April’s here, it feels like a breath of fresh air. A mixture of anticipation for the end of the semester and bittersweet steps toward saying “see you later” to the past eight months of friendship, growth, and life.

And I’m building Ava’s Armour with you, not just for you.

Thank you for being here. Genuinely. You pulled me out of a slump—and reminded me why this matters so much.

With love & light,
— Ava 💜