July 2023 Monthly Goal

This one is a bit different, I'm going easy on myself.

So often, when I go to write here on Substack, or for my weekly newsletter, I’ll think, I’ve got nothing to say.

But then when I tune into what I’m struggling with at the moment, and journal on that, it turns out that I do have something to say - and that’s always a good reminder to myself because telling myself over and over again, ‘I’ve got nothing to say’ is going to kill off my creativity pretty quickly anyway!

I’m writing this on 10th July, which is maybe a bit late to set my goals for the month, but here we are! I did write down a list of goals, but none of them felt great.

I know from experience that there’s no point setting a goal for the sake of setting a goal. It has to be something that you want to do, otherwise, it’ll just be something that you feel like you have to do, and there’ll be no enjoyment in it, and no motivation to actually do it. Cue feelings of failure too!

---

In all honesty, the pressure to set goals this month feels a bit too much for me, and this is fine. It’s OK to not be striving to achieve all of the time. It’s impossible to constantly be productive because our energy ebbs and flows according to our menstrual cycle and the seasons.

I talk more about cycles and feminine energy, in the latest episode of my podcast with Jane from Wild Moon Wellbeing (Jane totally embodies cyclical living):

I don’t know about you, but I always find July really tough because it’s just so busy at the end of term - so much to remember, so much to take into school, so many big emotions from the kids, it’s just all a bit much! I actually just got an email from the school when I was writing this - I owe £7 outstanding snack money, I’ll just add that to my list….

---

With all of this in mind, this month I’m taking a different approach to my goals, which basically means going easy on myself. One thing that does feel do-able is focusing on one of my values and using this as my word of the month to come back to.

I’ve chosen to focus on my value of resilience, this month.

(btw, if you are thinking what are values and how can you find yours out, have a listen to Episode 2 of my podcast about - How have your priorities changed as a mum)

Having a word of the month is something that I can come back to and use to carry myself through the rest of the month. Especially on those days when things just feel hard.

Resilience to me means building myself up, and filling up my reserves so that I feel strong enough to cope with everything that motherhood throws at me.

Resilience for me is also an acceptance, that there will be good days and not so good days, but through it all, I’ll be giving myself compassion and reminding myself that I’m doing a really good job.

---

I’m going to be boosting my resilience by:

• Reading - I’ve downloaded these books on my Kindle (all currently 99p in the sale - I love a bargain), so I’m looking forward to reading these when the kids are asleep:

  • Love Struck - Laura Jane Williams

  • Once More with Feeling - Elissa Sussman

  • The Garnett Girls - Georgina Moore

• Listening to podcasts - this new podcast from Clover Stroud is supposed to be really good

• Journalling - especially when I’m feeling stuck and just having a rough day

• Bringing in lots of self-compassion and not feeling guilty if I need to rest or have a slower day

• Diving back into my Leonie Dawson Brilliant Biz and Life Academy membership - I really enjoy online courses, and it will spark some creativity for me too. If you are curious about joining the Academy, you can find out more here (affiliate link).

I hope this has inspired you to go easy on yourself too, and to think about a word of the month that you can come back to, to shape how you want the rest of July to be for you.

---

How are you feeling about July - does it also feel crazy busy for you right now?

What would your word of the month be for July?

Let me know in the comments!