Hello August!
I want to welcome August with open arms!
Not only is it my birthday month, but also the month that follows our summer vacations, so there's an air of new beginnings.
We've been travelling a lot in July, going to both London and Cannes (my husband's first time in the South of France. Both trips were completely different from each other in nature, activities, people, clothing — everything. I put so much effort into packing our bags, curating each outfit. The trips were amazing; every day felt like three days packed into one, but in the best way. I went into the trips with the mentality of being easy-going and not overly planning or booking stuff. I wanted us to take it easy and see where the day took us, and it just so happens the day took us everywhereeee.
Whilst there was a lot of sleeping in and recovery and nothing-planned time, the trip felt so full in the most wholesome way.
And then we were back, tanned, refreshed and ready to welcome August with open arms!
Keeping up the monthly reflections:
In July I:
Read two books
Opened up to my friends (vulnerability should be celebrated)
Officially completed 6 out of my 13 Invisalign sets
Cleared my closet at the apartment
Supported my sibling
Worked out five times
Vlogged all month!
Shopped responsibly, only purchasing items that are capsule-wardrobe worthy
Celebrated my husband's Oxford graduation AT OXFORD
Recovered bravely from a health hiccup
Made PhD progress
Went to two museums!
Kept the most positive attitude in not-so-favourable times
Had the best meals (literally dined at my favourite restaurants in London and Cannes)
Made the best memories (Cannes fireworks, yacht day, Monaco and Nice day trips, and so much more)
Enforced my boundaries
Swam in the ocean <3
Wrote SIX blog posts
Took a weekend trip to Lebanon!
Reflecting on July: I had so so so so so many magical I-can't-believe-this-is-my-life moments. Moments where I felt like I was dreaming, floating up in the skies, never wanting these experiences to end — only for another to happen! That said, there were a lot of heartaches and difficult moments too. I went through a lot this month, but as I reflect, one of the things I'm most proud of was my ability to not let one heartbreak ruin the whole day or steal more happiness from me. I was able to control my emotions efficiently, without suppressing them, and capitalize on the other things going on. I would cry for five minutes, then get up and find something to enjoy and look for the positive in my day. I'm SO proud of myself, because that took a lot of strength and growth.
What I'm leaving in July:
Closed chapters — not mourning them again.
Masculine energy (there were times I had to do more than I should).
What I'm taking into August:
Having super active days!
Being positive and creating magical moments
Curating outfits and looks
Vlogging?
Being in the moment
Not worrying
Keeping up the reading pace!
What I want more of in August:
Self-love. I want to indulge, to fall in love deeper with who I have become.
Socialising with the people in my life more, spending more time with my friends and family.
Being at ease.
Phone-free mornings.
ADDING MORE WHIMSY
Disciplined days (waking up early, seizing the day, doing everything and more).
As I write this post and compare it to last month's, I realised I did everything I intended to do. I met all the goals I set out for July, how amazing is that? When we take a moment to just reflect, organise our thoughts, and set out our intentions, it's so much easier to follow suit. This habit of reflecting every month has tremendously improved my life, and I hope I can keep it up!
