I love first days of the month, and this one is particularly special because it happens on a Monday!

What the hell is she talking about?

To me, first days of the month, first days of the season, and birthdays are like a whole ‘nother New Year’s Day to start fresh. I give my self the chance to let go of some baggage and guilt about what I could have done better, or regrets about “failures,” and get enthusiastic about making sweeping, unrealistic changes.

I’m trying to change that last part, reserve it only for New Years.

This August 1–a Monday!– I’m letting go of:

  • the guilt about not doing the yoga from my training schedule consistently
  • the bit of guilt from spending way too much time perusing REI’s & L.L. Bean’s websites for camping/backpacking/kayaking gear I don’t need yet and can’t afford (FOLDABLE KAYAK, GUYS! Whaaaaaaaaaaat?), and
  • ditto for too much time planning fantasy trips that are a long way off from being a realistic undertaking (Oh you know, one-woman kayaking trips with that folding kayak (whaaaaaaaat?) through Glacier National Park where I’ll self-discover so good that my hair will magically fall into the new perfect haircut)

…and that’s pretty much it. I feel pretty good about the last month, tee-bee-aych.

And this August 1–a Monday– I’m starting with:

  • fresh enthusiasm for said training schedule (::Rocky theme::)
  • trying to focus a little more on the present/near future (::meditation chimes::)
  • trying to be a little better about using time efficiently (I got no SFX for that, ticking clocks are ominous) and
  • being better about sticking to my budget (::Ch-CHING!::)

A little boring, I know (especially the budget, eek) but those are all things that can really help reduce stress and make those wild things I keep daydreaming about come to fruition.

(But really, did you know both REI & the Sierra Club host adventure trips!? Like, just try not spending 3 hours a day window shopping those.)