Notes from July

This post originally appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 8/8/22.

As one of the items on my 22 in 2022 list, I’m writing a quick recap at the end of each month with 10 things to remember. I’m really enjoying the ritual of taking a moment to pause, remember the little things, and think about what I’m excited for next month. 

If you are looking for an activity to pep up your Monday, give this a try. Scroll through your photos or reference your calendar from the past couple weeks and make a quick list of memories and ordinary moments. A lot can happen in four weeks! 

Hope you have a great Monday. 🙂

July’s 10 Things: 

1. Biggest July accomplishment: walked 50,000 steps IN ONE DAY. Phew. I’m tired just thinking about it again. Matt and I did it together and we can’t remember how this idea landed on our summer bucket list… Thinking it had to be one of those ideas expressed in the depths of winter (“when it’s nice out again, I’m going to be so excited that I’ll walk 50k steps in a day!”). But we did it! Luckily we had perfect weather and some great people watching (it was the same weekend as the music festival Lollapalooza in Chicago, hence why I’m referring to this physical feat as “Walkapalooza”). 50,000 steps equates to about 25 miles, and, wow it was a lot more challenging than expected. While the beginning of the day felt easy, it was such a defeating feeling when we got to 6 PM and still had ~15,000 steps left to go. So glad we did it and so glad we never have to do it again, haha. 
2. A fun July purchase: I bought a Nespresso (this is the version I got) on Amazon Prime Day! I am loving it. It was a tad of an impulse purchase for me (that “lightning deal” got me!), but when I visited my friend November and tried hers, I loved it and added it to my “someday” list. I haven’t used the machine for espresso yet because I love the coffee it brews so much. Even with just plain, black coffee, you get this thin layer of foam at the top that is just so good. I’m also definitely buying coffee out less, which is a win!
3. I read a couple of great books in July (Daisy Jones & The Six, The Hotel Nantucket, Bookends), but I think my favorite was Every Summer After. I’d seen the book get a fair amount of hype, so I worried my expectations would be too high, but I really enjoyed it. The nostalgia, the summer romance, the writing – loved all of it! Great summer read.
4. I was able to start last month at one of my favorite places – my grandma’s house in Sharon, PA – with family and friends. Yay! Keeping the 4th of July tradition strong. What was unique about this year is that I DROVE to PA (well, I drove for some of it; was a passenger for the majority). I usually fly, but I have to say, having access to a car and being able to leave on your own time was quite convenient!  
5. A few times in July I went grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s before work. Trader Joe’s is a close walk from my apartment and opens at 8 AM, so it is easy for me to pop over early and get back to my place well before 9. Every time I do it, I wonder why I don’t do it more. The store is empty and fully stocked and I get a nice morning walk in. It’s an idyllic grocery shopping routine! 
6. I was able to see one of my former co-workers get married in July, and it was so fun! Weddings are so special. I love seeing the personality of the couples through little touches and the celebratory nature of it all. 
7. Speaking of co-workers, I also had the opportunity to finally meet a few co-workers in person when they were in Chicago for a meeting. We’ve worked together virtually for over a year, but it felt so great to get to meet and connect in-person. Some things really can’t be replicated!
8. Other things that can’t be replicated with technology? The quality time you get from a “friend weekend.” One of my best friends from college, Amy, visited me on a weekend in July and it was just the best. We did a workout class together, went on a lot of long walks & talks,  and had fun at a neighborhood street festival. It felt like we were living in the same city for a weekend, and it was so great.  
9. In July, I started playing jazz music in the background when reading. Trying to emulate a coffee house vibe, and I have to say, it’s really elevating my reading experience. Here is a playlist I love. 
10. Speaking of coffee houses, on the last Sunday in July, I was running errands around Lincoln Park when I walked past the cutest coffee shop. There was an open table and I had my iPad, so I popped in (yay for spontaneity!) and loved working on my newsletter there. It was lovely and might become a new routine for me. 

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