June 2023 Monthly Review
Feeling less mum guilt, podcasting and journalling
I’ve really enjoyed looking back over my June goals and writing down my progress, so I hope you’ll enjoy reading this too.
Here’s how I got on with my goals from June.
As a reminder, here’s my original post where I set them out:
In June, the way I wanted to approach my goals was by:
taking small steps
celebrating my progress and
regularly reflecting on what's working and what's not
How that went:
Small steps - I definitely took small steps, and that felt really good because I didn’t feel overwhelmed with what I had to do. Seeing how the small steps build up to make big steps too spurred me on too.
Celebrating my progress - I’m not so good at this, and this is where I need to start taking my own advice and tell myself I’m doing a really good job more.
Reflecting - I did reflect and journal on what was working and what wasn’t, so that’s helped give me some clarity over what I want to do over the summer.
My goals for June were also aligned to my current values of authenticity, resilience, creativity and connection. I do this because linking up what’s important to you (your values) with your goals, you are , because they mean something to you.
OK, so how did I do in June?
Authenticity:
Getting into a routine of recording and releasing podcast each week - this has gone really well, I feel like I’m into a routine with it now and I’ve been able to fit it in. I recorded my first guest episode too which is coming out on Friday, and I loved that. I felt like I was talking about all the things I loved with the guest totally being on my wavelength. The plan is now to record 2 solo episodes, 1 more guest episode and then have a break over August. You can listen to my latest episode here which is a 10 Minute Mini Retreat for Mums:
In terms of fitting in podcasting, writing Substack posts and my newsletter as well as Voxer coaching, that’s going to continue to be a work in progress I think. At the moment, I only work when my youngest is napping or when the kids are asleep - and that changes everyday as to how much time I get.
Journalling to work on my mindset - I have been journalling as and when I’ve felt like I’ve needed to. I used to think that if I wasn't journalling every day then I was doing it wrong but actually like any tool, it’s OK to just use it when it feels good to you. Here's an exert from my journal entry which is from when I had just written this Substack post on feeling underappreciated as a mum, which I was proud of:
“I’m writing this so I remember what it feels like to feel proud of my writing and how good it feels to get things done in my business while Jake is napping. I feel proud and happy and excited and I’ve just got a good feeling. It’s so nice to feel like this because I’ve felt quite low lately.”
Resilience:
More mini moments of self-care - I’ve carried on with my self-care every day, most of it has been reading, even if it’s just a few pages here and there. This book was one that I loved this month.
Walks with podcast - this was a nice idea but it just hasn’t happened for a few reasons. It has been too hot and Jake has also decided that he now hates the buggy! One particularly memorable 30 minute walk home from town was when I had to push the buggy home with one hand whilst trying to hold Jake as he screamed and tried to leap out of my arms the whole time - that was fun!! So I’ll park this goal - maybe walks on my own might be a better idea!
Creativity:
Creating space - my plan was to have 2 days where I did no work at all each week, but that has only happened once. That break actually was really nice, and I definitely focused on family time more and it gave me some head-space.
It’s hard because I really love working on my business and it puts me in a good mood, so it’s something that I want to do. But I’m going to carry on trying to have these breaks because I need to be looking at the big picture more too in my business, because my time is filled up with doing the day to day tasks.
Crochet - I haven’t crocheted much this month, I kind of go in fits and starts with it but that’s fine. It’s nice to have a project there waiting for me and I can pick it up and do a few rows when I fancy.
Connection:
More 1 on 1 time with the kids - this goal was definitely my biggest revelation this month. I realised that actually I spend much more 1 on 1 time with my two oldest kids than I thought. I think as well because it was one of my goals, it was more in the forefront of my mind that I was noticing when I would spend time with them.
All of this has made me feel less guilty, made me feel like a better mum and I’ve felt closer to my kids too. With my son, we’ve been reading more together at bedtime and we play this game where we each think of an animal, a fruit and a place and we’ve got to come up with a story on the spot - that’s actually been really enjoyable just making up random silly stories together.
With my daughter, we’ve been spending lots of time together in the garden while she does a combination of gymnastic tricks/cartwheels/Eurovision performances while I watch and give scores and we’ve also gone for some walks too.
I don’t include 1 on 1 time with my youngest in this because he’s near enough attached to me 24/7!!
Plan summer hols - I kept putting off making plans - it all just felt a bit overwhelming tbh. My husband has just got a new job so he won’t have as much time off as we thought anyway. So, my new plan is to go and stay with my mum with the kids, for a kind of mini holiday on and off over the summer, then the rest of the time we’ll just do play-dates, the park and day trips. Trying to take the pressure off myself to have the perfect summer holidays!
Overall I’m happy with my progress for June and I’m proud of myself for being consistent in my business, taking a break and having that realisation that I have more 1 on 1 time with my kids than I think (here’s me working on that ‘celebrating my progress’ thing right now!).
Also, learning which goals worked, which didn’t and why is going to be really helpful moving forward too.
I’ll be doing a July goals post soon, but a here’s a sneak peek of my goals for July, a few of my goals will be:
Getting to the end of term in one piece - my middle son especially could do with the summer hols to come early - he’s just done!
I’ll focus on creating one goal per value and see how that feels
Record and release 3 podcasts
I’d love to hear how June went for you - let me know in the comments!