Monday, 6/30/25: Talking about welcoming July

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 lots of time to read, fun Home Goods finds and getting into the new TV show Matt and I started. 

TODAY: Today, I’m most excited to celebrate my mother-in-law’s birthday with a fun dinner after work!  

INTENTION: My intention this week is to appreciate that it’s a holiday week. 

Okay, your turn! And if you want to share your three steps, I am all ears. 🙂

Meaningful Musings: July Goals & Intentions 

Hello! Happy last day of June!

Ah, July. The month where summer has unpacked its bag, kicked off its shoes, and sprawled out, all settled in and ready to stay a while. 

Back in March and April – in the throes of cold, rainy days, the fog of first trimester fatigue and the stress of buying a home – July was what I visualized. I pictured Matt and me in our backyard, me well into my second trimester, both of us taking a long, collective exhale.

And now… we made it.

I don’t want to take that for granted. I want to soak up this next month, a month I’ve waited and hoped for.

So that’s the framing guiding my intentions for July. Let’s get to the planning!

Big things happening this July?

• I have a few days off for the 4th this week! I love how everything slows down and quiets for a bit.
• I’m headed to D.C. for my friend’s bridal shower – cannot wait to celebrate and see her!
• At the end of the month, Matt and I are going to his brother’s wedding in upper Michigan. It’s going to be beautiful and so special.

July 2025 Intentions

• Celebrate and revel in 4th of July weekend: As I mentioned earlier, July was a visualization anchor for me this past spring, and especially the 4th of July weekend. I knew I’d be off work, and hopefully we’d be settled in our house. Even though we don’t have formal plans (my favorite kind of 4th!), I can’t wait to spend a few relaxed days together. I want to plan a few fun things to cook, and explore our new neighborhood a bit.
• Check in on annual goals: A favorite reader sent me this lovely piece from the NYT this weekend: “The Better Half”. The author remarks how this Wednesday, July 2, marks the halfway point of the year. She proposes using it as “a sunnier moment” to take stock and set fresh, achievable resolutions for the second half of 2025. I love this idea. I always like doing a little mid-year goal check-in in July, and this gave me the perfect excuse to do just that.
• Work on our nursery and baby registry. A fun goal! We have a crib arriving this week, and I’d love to have the nursery plans and our registry wrapped up by the end of the month. Lots of research ahead, but the very best kind.
• Take a social media-free month. I’ve already been staying off social media on my phone, but I still find myself clicking over on my computer for “just for a few minutes,” more than I’d like. It’s led to some unnecessary purchases, and more than that, I’ve realized how much richer time feels when I’m not scrolling. The days go slower. I’m more likely to pick up a book, go on a walk, or call a friend. I feel more relaxed. And that’s exactly the energy I want for July.

What about you – what are you up to this month?

Here’s to a warm, wonder-filled July.

Picture of the Week

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