How’s your summer going? Is it flying by and you can’t remember what day it is? Is it filled with quiet moments sprinkled in with barbecues, vacations, and connection? Is it a little of both?

When July arrives, I usually stockpile my calendar with gatherings, events, biking, motorcycling, sitting around the fire, and reading. For work, I add in programs to teach, while giving Reiki sessions, coaching, and writing. Even though it’s all good stuff, the summer can easily become a whirlwind of too much on my plate.

Checking in at the end of each month and even every week can be a wonderful way to reflect and recalibrate. 

When I looked back on July, here’s what I noted:

Joys/Highlights

• Dog sitting Santi, the Great Dane

• BBQ and Pool Party at my sister’s

• Lots of motorcycle riding

• The Marvelous Wonderettes musical

• Teaching my new Captain of Your Ship Journaling Program
  
  
  

Journal Entries

When I read through my journal entries for July, I noticed a lot of CRANKINESS! What was going on? There was often a lack of space. A disconnect with people even though I was getting together with family and friends. It came down to having too much to do each day. 

I’d pack in too many of my intentions in one day. When I look back on what I call my Soul Intentions, I accomplished a great deal that is aligned with my purpose and goals for my business. Yet my writing outside of Substack has been slow. I desire to do that writing but there’s only so much bandwidth in my creative brain. 

One of my Heart-centered Intentions for July was caring for me. Setting boundaries that put exercise and healthy meals as top priorities. It’s something that has been seriously lacking due to personal responsibilities and the pressure I put on myself to do too much. Yes, I need to reflect on that!

Lessons Learned

I need my space to create, reflect, go deep into writing, decompress, care for me, and refuel. 

I also crave connection. Build community. Create spaces for story growing with others. What was transformative for me was taking care of me first. Getting that exercise in before caring for others. Eating well and feeling more energized. 

By forming boundaries and sticking with them, that crankiness mostly subsided by the end of the month. Creating boundaries and respecting them is a continual practice for me. 

Release

Still working on releasing the guilt that sticking to those boundaries can cause. Those stories that I can do it all and do it well at the expense of myself. 

Word of the Year

Lighthearted

There has been some dancing around the house. Connecting. Being part of a community as myself. Expressing myself in fun and joyful ways. 

Stepping into August

I’m giving myself space to explore and be curious, connect with this fabulous Substack community, and care for me. 

I just listened to Claire Venus’ July 21, 2024 podcast episode 4: Creating my own Substack Universe with Suzy Walker. The entire podcast is helpful on many levels. 

Suzy explains: “...have a separation of time between the way I plug into communities which feels like education and inspiration and then my time as a reader and then my time as a creator and space holder so they’re all like separate blocks of time within my week.”

I definitely plan to incorporate this advice, especially since I’m also part of Sarah Fay’s Growth Cohort through Substack Writers at Work. 

How was your July?

Maybe reflect on one prompt. These are offerings to support you in prioritizing what matters to you most.

• What did you focus on?

• What was fun, joyful, the highlights of the month?

• What memories did you make?

• What did you notice as you reflected on your journal, how you spent your time, who you spent it with?

• Were your intentions fulfilled?

  • In what way?

• What did you create, grow, form?

• What did you learn about yourself, others?

• What can you release?

• If you have a word of the year or mantra, how did it play into your month?

• What is still growing/extending into August?

• What changes will occur in August?

• What are you looking forward to for the rest of this season?

• What is it that you need?

Checking in and reflecting on your intentions may not clear out all that doesn’t serve you. There will always be obligations and responsibilities. Hopefully  it reminds you what matters, and gives an idea of what you may wish  to prioritize. 

Life happens.

May your journal continue to be your mirror and guide. 

If you like, share your July Highlights and Lessons and what’s up for August!