Monday, 6/19/25: Talking about summer planning
Happy Monday!
It’s a new week, which means it’s time for your next Monday motivation newsletter.
Read on below for some steps to a happier Monday and some positive thoughts to get your week started.
Three Steps to a Happier Monday
Each newsletter starts with three prompts to inspire gratitude and simple intention setting. Take a moment and jot down answers to these three questions. To give an example, I share my answers below.
Step 1: What are three things I appreciated from the weekend?
Step 2: What is one thing I can be excited about today?
Step 3: What is my intention for this week?
GRATITUDE: From my weekend, I am thankful for time to rest, new flowers and getting to show family members some progress around the house!
TODAY: Today, I’m most excited to have some quiet reading time this morning.
INTENTION: My intention this week is to go for a walk outside everyday after work.
Okay, your turn! And if you want to share your three steps, I am all ears. 🙂
Meaningful Musings: Designing a Spacious Summer
Good morning!! Ahh, it feels so nice to be writing to you again after a few weeks off.
I haven’t written the past couple weeks because life has been busy. As I shared in my last newsletter, Matt and I moved into our new home in Indianapolis! My mom was here for four days and was our unpacking fairy godmother. She helped us get so much set up, especially since I’m not able to lift or move as much while pregnant. After many moves throughout college and my 9 years in Chicago, my mom and I have our move-in weekend routine down. Pro tip: we’ve found it works best if my mom comes after the physical move. We timed it perfectly this round: our moving truck pulled away, and a day later, she pulled in. She brought a fresh burst of energy when we needed it and got started on my long to-do list right away.
The weekend after moving, I went to one of my best friend’s bachelorette parties in Lake Norman, NC (right outside Charlotte), which ended up being just the “exhale” I needed. I got to spend time with some of my favorite people and take a beat after a few stressful weeks.
Then, it was back to Indy, where I’ve now had two glorious “normal” weeks of being HOME (!) and easing into new routines. I’m feeling great!!
Somewhere in all of that, we’re now in mid-June and it’s really started to feel like summer here in the Midwest. Summer is my favorite season – and, maybe second only to the holidays, it’s when I get the strongest urge to do some seasonal planning and think intentionally about the months ahead.
I first heard the phrase “design your summer” from author Gretchen Rubin, and I love the sentiment: shape the summer into what you want it to be. I’ve done a version of this planning for several years now (summer 2024, summer 2023, summer 2022, summer 2021, summer 2020) and it’s been such a joy to think what I want to focus on, whether it’s mindset, meals, or little moments of seasonal joy.
Seasonal Mindset: A Spacious Summer
You know I love some alliteration!
This summer feels different in a couple of ways:
- Looking for a house, home buying process and moving is behind us
- I’m settled into my second trimester
- I’m getting used to new remote work routines and daily rhythms
When I think about this summer, what I’m most excited for is to have some space. I’m excited to make space this season physically (unpacking and settling into a new home), emotionally (preparing for baby!), and mentally (embracing a new chapter). After a whirlwind first half of the year, I’m welcoming a slower pace with space to breathe, stretch, savor (word of the year!), and enjoy the lack of urgency.
Here’s what a spacious summer looks like for me:
- One unstructured, free weekend each month
- A weekly “settling” intention: organizing a corner of the house, trying a new local spot, or learning a new walking route
- Quiet morning reading time in my office
- Focused work days Monday–Friday AM so I can enjoy Summer Fridays (log off at 1 PM!)
- 30-minute cleaning sessions during lunch to free up weekends
- Writing this newsletter on Friday mornings 🙂
- Researching and making decisions on daycare, pediatricians and baby gear
Summer Eats & Drinks
Beyond mindset, I also love thinking about seasonal shifts I want to make to what I’m eating and drinking during these summer months:
- Sparkling water: I’ve been picking a new fun flavor each week on grocery runs. During the workday, it’s a great afternoon pick-me-up. After work, I love pouring Pellegrino + lime over a ton of ice in a wine glass. It’s not rosé or an Aperol spritz… but it’s still very good and refreshing.
- Iced coffee: My mom gifted me an iced coffee maker with the genius idea to use decaf grounds- love it! I especially want to try this vanilla mint iced coffee recipe.
- Afternoon snack plates: Maybe it’s the summer produce or the pregnancy cravings, but I can’t get enough fruit lately. Around 2–3 PM, I’ve been loving a snack plate with whatever’s in the fridge… cherries, apples, cheese, veggies, a dip, nuts.
- Weekly Graeter’s runs with Matt: This place reminds me so much of visiting my aunt and uncle in Columbus, and now there’s one just a mile from our house! A little dangerous, very delightful.
Some other recipes calling my name:
Everyday Summer Joys
Lastly, some everyday summer joys I’m looking forward to cherishing that really make the season feel like SUMMER!:
- Summer reading. Reading off my curated list is bringing me joy.
- Weeknights with no commitments.
- Daily walks outside. It stays light very late here and there is a park right by our house that I’m loving exploring!
- Backyard hangs after dinner. After 10 years of apartment living, I can’t believe we even have a backyard!! So happy we’re here in the summer to enjoy it.
Okay, I officially feel ready for my “spacious summer” now! If you can, I’d definitely recommend doing something similar: take a few minutes to design your summer.
I’d love to hear what you’re up to!
Picture of the Week
“20-week bump!” Haha there is a speed bump sign right outside our house and Matt and I couldn’t resist the photo opp at 20 weeks
That’s all for today! I hope you found something in today’s newsletter that sparked motivation, made you smile or inspired a positive Monday thought. Don’t underestimate the power of starting small… a fulfilling week starts with just one fulfilling day. You’ve got this!
Let’s make it a great Monday!
Megan