Deni Todorovič has returned to social media after a 14-month hiatus.
The former non-binary Seafolly ambassador took to Instagram to answer questions about their absence while revealing a new neck tattoo.
A series of clips showed Deni sitting in a car’s passenger seat conducting the Q and A where the new ink was clearly visible.
Emblazoned across his neck in an Old English font was the phrase ‘Festina Lente.’
The Latin phrase is a classical adage that means ‘make haste slowly’ and is sometimes translated into English as ‘more haste, less speed.’
The phrase had been adopted as a motto by Roman emperors Augustus and Titus.
Deni admitted that the phrase resonated particularly following a recent bipolar diagnosis.
‘What I love about Festina Lente is it’s an oxymoron – which means it’s two words that contradict each other,’ Deni explained.
Non-binary influencer Deni Todorovič has returned to social media after a 14-month hiatus
The former non-binary Seafolly ambassador took to Instagram to answer questions about their absence while revealing a new neck tattoo
‘It feels like such a reminder to me particularly now that I have a bipolar diagnosis , it makes so much sense to me that I need to be Festina Lente.
‘My quickness is a superpower, I think. ADHD is a superpower or being neurodivergent to me is a superpower – something that should be embraced rather than stigmatised or ashamed of.’
Continuing the answer, Deni admitted that the new ink was a constant reminder to practice mindfulness.
‘Festina Lente though does just remind me to embrace the “lente” because I can do “festina” in my sleep,’ they said.
‘But “lente” actually requires me to stop, to breathe, to self regulate, to be still, to not get road rage, to not expect a reply within five minutes
‘That’s what Festina Lente means.’
Deni also shared an expansive post about their mental health struggles over the past 12 months
Deni began the post explaining that a breakup in 2022 followed by losing a loved one in early 2023 were major catalysts for their mental health decline
Deni – who courted controversy in 2023 after a baggage dispute with Jetstar staff at Melbourne Airport and was hit with a restraining order by his ex Mitchell Latham – also shared an expansive post about his mental health struggles over the past 12 months.
Deni began the post explaining that a breakup in 2022 followed by losing a loved one in early 2023, were major catalysts for their mental health decline.
‘What happened following this was a nervous breakdown, unraveling , and trauma induced psychosis that played out in real time, on Instagram, spearheaded by me and consumed by so many of you,’ Deni wrote.
‘On the final night of World Pride, I attempted to take my own life and this would become the first of many attempts that continued between March and May.’
Deni then added that he was involuntarily sectioned for a month following Australian Fashion Week.
‘Upon my release I would ignore my after care treatment plan and continue to go in and out of both mania and psychosis, ultimately leaving myself and my family with the decision to switch off from social media altogether.’
Deni continued the expansive post, admitting that the mania and psychosis had ‘subsided’ by early 2024, replaced with a ‘deep depression’.
‘In time, I voluntarily admitted myself into two rehab facilities and one final psych ward,’ Deni admitted.
‘As I stand today, I am 16 months clean, in full recovery with multiple diagnosis and medication. A treatment plan that is as robust and multi-disciplinary as one could be, to combat Addiction, Bipolar Type 1, Histrionic Personality, ADHD, and Anorexia.’
Deni also took time to apologise to sponsors and brand partners for ‘damaging working relationships’ as well to followers for ‘all of the triggering and at times harmful/dangerous content you consumed.’
‘I can only hope I regain your trust to occupy space on the internet again, as I have missed you so much likely more than you have missed me,’ Deni wrote.
‘I mean that with every breath I have. I look forward to us getting to know each other again.’
If you or anyone you know is struggling, you can reach out to Lifeline for 24/7 crisis support on 13 11 14
‘I can only hope I regain your trust to occupy space on the internet again, as I have missed you so much likely more than you have missed me,’ Deni wrote
