Oh, the joys of July! I love the long summer days, sultry evenings and the carefree attitude of the season. It’s the perfect time to slow down, reflect, and spend more time doing the things we love. If there’s a theme to July’s monthly intentions, it’s about enjoying the bounty of summer and creating memories that will bring me happiness all year long. With this in mind, below are my goals for this most blissful month of summer.
At the beach in the Rockaways
1. Soaking up summertime by hitting the beach as often as possible.
If you’ve been reading my blog, then you know that my favorite place is the beach. But for me, it’s more than a place to kick back and relax with friends. I’ve always found the beach to be a restorative place as well. Whenever I have the opportunity to sit in the sand and hear the constant roar of the waves rolling in, I come home feeling calmer and at peace.
It turns out the relaxation I feel is not just in my head. Scientific studies say that what I’m experiencing is called “blue space.” Essentially, smelling the ocean and listening to the constant rhythm of the waves is a sensory experience that makes my brain feel at ease in a hypnotic way. So when I go to the beach, my brain is literally reacting to the environment, making me more happy, relaxed and energized. Now I never need to feel guilty about carving time out of my schedule to hit the beach!
2. Savoring time with family and friends.
The bottom line is we are too busy these days. I know it’s a symptom of modern life. We have too many things to do and not enough time to get everything done. Despite my endless to-do list, I’m going to work hard on putting that aside this month so I can spend more quality time with my family and friends. Because when I look back on previous summers, the things I remember most are the moments I spent with loved ones – picnics in the park, days at the beach, long weekends in the country, and BBQs that last all day long. It’s so important to foster our connections with others, so that will be a big focus for me this month. If you live in NYC and are looking for fun, outdoor venues to meet up with friends, check out this post.
3. Cooking and eating fresh food that’s in season.
I have a group of friends who are from Italy and now live in NYC. They constantly joke about American supermarkets – and rightly so – since their country pays serious homage to food. One of the things they have commented on is that in Italy, you only eat what’s in season. You can’t get tomatoes or avocados all the time, because they don’t grow year-round. So, they eat what’s available, when it’s available.
My Italian friends have a good point. There’s something to be said about eating seasonally and working with the fresh ingredients that the Earth provides us. So one of my monthly intentions is to make a conscious effort to enjoy the produce that’s truly in season. Since summer has such a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables, this won’t be that much of a challenge! But I’m looking forward to savoring the food that’s meant to be eaten right now, in the height of summer.
4. Reading fun, entertaining, beach reads.
If you looked at my nightstand right now, you’d see a stack of self-help books. While I love this genre, summer is the time for lighter fare. My brain needs a break from all of the things I’ve been studying. And there’s nothing better than reading a good page-turner on the beach. So this month, I’ll be diving into some fun and juicy reads. Currently, I’m reading The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll. Set in the world of reality TV, I couldn’t imagine a better book to dive into, given the fact that I’m currently working on a reality TV show for Bravo. Also on my list to read are The High Season by Judy Blundell, The Ensemble by Aja Gabel, and Calypso by David Sedaris.
5. Perhaps most importantly, celebrating my freedom by getting more politically active.
I had mixed feelings celebrating the 4th of July this year. While I love our country and the freedom I have, I cannot stand behind the current administration and its policies. And I can no longer sit idle on the sidelines because then I am just as guilty. As a white, middle-to-upper class female, I know I am privileged. But I can use that privilege for good, like donating money to important causes including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Refugee and Immigration Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), and Together Rising, rather than buying another pair of shoes. Or, I can use my voice by attending protests and picking up the phone to call our representatives in the house and senate. I can volunteer with local chapters of the Democratic Party. I can and I must do more. Otherwise, I’m simply a part of the problem. So this will be a big focus for me moving forward, in July and the months beyond.
Now I’d love to hear from you. What are your goals and monthly intentions for July? How are you going to make the most of the summer season? Please share in the comments below! I love hearing what everyone is focusing on because it motivates me as well.
There are small steps we can take every day to help us live our best lives. And most importantly, as we head into the height of summer, remember this one thing: Eat, drink and be merry!
Related: My Monthly Intentions for August
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