07.2023 TIS (Taking Inventory Series)

We are now halfway through the year and my oh my, do I have some goal setting and realigning to do for the year! This post is about the life’s check-ins going on in my world and themes in my life. I missed June’s check-in but I plan on poisting a recap about all the happenings in June!
I enjoy posting lifestyle content and will link another account I have by the end of Cancer season! 🙂
Tell me why this picture below of Jupiter & Luna looks like they took a selfie at the windowseal, as Luna sat on. thesmall cat tower? How cute!
Okay, on to the blog post!

07.2023

word of the month: s’mores.
I want MORE of what brings me joy- more laughter, mor reading ,writing, and creating. I want to embark on enjoying the time I spend with my cats, friends dogs, and with my community. I also want to enjoy what’s left of this summer, as we have reached the middle of the “academic” summer time, where families go out and vacation and people relax.
And, you better believe I will be making me some s’mores this month and to enjoy the sweetness that is this wonderful summertime dessert!

affirmation of the month: My creativity leads me to forgiveness and self-forgiveness.
This one came about within. the first few weeks of the Artist’s Way program I began in June. I had to pick between ten different affirmations and I realized that this one was the one I needed- forgiveness of others coming in my way with. my creativyt and forgiveness with MYSELF when I self-sabatoge and not allow myself the space to create. It can also be the forgiveness and self-forgiveness in other aspects of my life- relationships, finances, work, and emotional health. Forgiveness is a long process and me starting this now will allow me to weave this into the larger story of my life.

habits I’m working on: In June, I was able. to walk 21 days in a row, thanks to the habit loop. What’s the habit loop? It’s an idea that you have a cue – habit- reward. If you adjust a cue or habit, you can then impact the other two loop actions. For example, my habit loop clue was that when my alarm went off in the morning, I would be able to go for a walk for 20 minutes. In June, that’s when the loop would start with creating a new habit. Then, my reward would come into play at the one week mark, and then at the third week mark. The second and third week rewards are combined to make this reward a higher incentive to keep the habit going!
I had some events happen where the habit collapsed. For July’s habit, I am working on brushing my teeth in the mornings and then another habit for an evening teeth routine. I do plan on adding early morning or late evening walks again, once I’ve recovered from my oral surgery I had today (more on that below).

eating: I’ve been enjoying eating lighter and healthier foods this month! Especailly watermelon, blueberries, bananas, and granola. I’m looking to try a new recipe for every week in July and I would love your input on what reciepes I should try!

drinking: I haven’t been drinking alcohol for three months now and I do not regret going sober. At first, I was already drinking less and less over the past two years. Then, I was diagnosed with Fatty Liver Disease in November and was explicitly told to avoid alcohol. Once I got passed the holidays, and wasn’t drinking much anyways, I truly did stop drinking. I’ve been in better heatlh, happier mindset, and more open to who I am as a person.
What do I drink now? My usual chai tea, london fog tea’s, coffee, and drink mixes! I’ve enjoyed following Frankie Simmons on TikTok, where she makes this wonderful mocktail drinks! Linked below is the TikTok video of one of her recent videos & recipes!

@heyfrankiesimmons

Miss you 💖

♬ Peace Piece – Green-House

writing: I am entering the 53 word short story contest via Press 53. The link to this contest is below! I am also looking into other writing contests to open myself to sharing more content, creative writing, and more! Below are links to other writing contests, too!

reading: I will be posting a TBR pile of the books I’ve been reading this summer! One book I am working through is 1,037 pages long. What guess do you have for this book? Hint: It’s a “classic” novel and movie. Comment your guess and I’ll reveal what book that is when I post about my TBR pile for the month of July!

learning: I’ve picked up Duolingo for a little nighttime learning for Spanish! If you would like to add me on Duolingo, please let me know! I will be sharing my link to where you can add me as a friend on Duolingo.
Oh, and I am currently working through Julie Cameron’s Artist’s Way 12-week workbook! I am on week five currently and have enjoyed learning new creative habits and creating opportunities to create more for myself FIRST.

watching: My partner and I took a break from watching Hell’s Kitchen and while we wait for the newest season of Big Brother to premiere August 2nd, we’ve been watching the 2021 season we missed. We are down to the final four members of The Cookout, an alliance that guaranteed that Big Brother USA would crown their first black winner! My partner and I have enjoyed talking about the progress this show and society has made progress on these issues of race BUT we still have a ways to go.
I’ve also been rewatching Game of Thrones, as I’ve just finished season one. I would like to go read the series from the library. I attempted to read the first book a few years ago but I don’t recall completing it. I may also choose this as a audiobook option for the fall, but we shall see what I feel like doing in the process.

events this month: Today, I went and got wisdom teeth pulled! I hardly remember being under anesthia for up to hour but its nice that the top three teeth on my left side of the jaw and both of my lower jaw teeth (both sides) removed. I also have a medical appointment next week and hopefully will be able to go to my counseling, psychiatry, and financial coaching appointments this month.
Oh, for Independence Day (4th of July) I stayed home. I’m not one for fireworks because of the capitalism implications, false freedoms, and the money wasted on popping fireworks- when in most counties and cities, you aren’t allowed to pop fireworks. Alas, I opted into staying in and enjoying the evening with my boyfriend.

Pictured above is Luna and I enjoying the evening together a few weeks back! I’m wearing this Garth Brooks concert shirt today as well, especially because today is July 7th (07.07). Luna right now is enjoying the apartment with my boyfriend and Jupiter, as I spend the night at a friends’s hosue to recover from the wisdom teeth finally being pulled.

listening: I have been enjoying cottagecore & dark academia music. Especially for writing and journaling! Liked below is a YouTube video of some dark academia and one that’s cottagecore music.

enjoying: spending this summer relaxing and catching up on goals, intentions, and reading goals. Especially while I am mentally on summer mode! I’ve enjoyed the sunshine more this summer than in summer’s past and can rest knowing that I’ve made it to 30 years old, when. Iused to fear that I wouldn’t make it past 21!

feeling: relaxed. My bills, for the most part, are caught up and I feel like. Iam better now than where I was, mentally, four months ago. I am grateful that even through my medical issues, I have been able to keep going, perservere, and stay driven during stressful times.

what I’m excited about: A potential trip with my besties next month! I need to start setting aside the money and booking the hotel and Amtrack train ride, so I can visit my HS friend, go travel with my boyfriend, and relax with friends!

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What are you looking forward to for the month of July? I’d love to hear your comments on reciepes, language learning, and mocktails! I would love it if you followed me here for creativity updates, lifestyle blogging, and various content! You can subscribe via email, WordPress, or even my social media accounts!