So I officially started August on the 6th, which means I didn’t really get a structured reset in until I recovered from being sick—about a week into the month. But here we are, bouncing back and better than ever. I hope you enjoy this reset. You know the drill: we reflect on last month, we plan for the new one, and we do a good ol’ declutter—mind, space, and habits.

☀️ July Reflection

First things first, I cracked open my bullet journal to see what July was serving. But full honesty? My brain went a little wishy-washy with my journaling system. I had this grand idea to split my bullet journal into six different travel-themed sections… and yeah, it didn’t work out as smoothly as I thought.

So now, I’m technically using two journals—one as my main bullet journal and the other as a collections journal. Add my sketchbook into the mix, and you’ve got a very creative chaos kind of setup.

One hiccup I noticed: I wasn’t consistent with dating my pages, so it’s a little murky tracking exactly when I did certain things. But somewhere mid-July, I hit a page titled “Reset My Brain and Efforts,” and that’s when everything shifted. That page marked the moment I decided to stop looking back at what I didn’t get done and start focusing on what I could do next. No more guilt—just forward motion.

💸 July Was Supposed to Be a No-Spend Month…

…and while it wasn’t completely no-spend, it was definitely a low-spend win! I got back to valuing what I already have and making sure every purchase was intentional. I did treat my parents to massages at the beginning of the month (worth every penny), but otherwise, I kept it pretty tight. We love a financially responsible queen.

Content-wise, I wasn’t the most productive, but mentally, I was doing a lot of reorganizing, realigning, and revamping—sometimes the internal work matters more than the output.

💼 Life & Work Transitions

July was the last month of my second job. I started it back in April, quickly realized it wasn’t for me (hello, seven days a week!), and gracefully bowed out. While I’m losing that extra income, I did get a raise from my review at my main job—so we’re not stressing. That’s what we call divine alignment.

📝 Flourish Mag Update

I originally planned to release a second issue of Flourish Mag in July, but it just didn’t align. Between work and the second job, I didn’t have the time—or honestly, the capacity. I also had a lightbulb moment: I want Flourish to be an annual magazine. That felt more sustainable and meaningful.

The good news? I already have a lot of content planned out for it, and now I have even more time to let it bloom. For those “in-between” months, I’ll be launching a newsletter to stay connected and share updates without the pressure of a full issue.

🎨 Creative Wins

Even though I wasn’t creating much for my brand, I kept drawing and sketching consistently. I was still flexing my creative muscles, and that means a lot to me.

I also took a look at my subscriptions. I canceled one of my massage memberships because one spot is plenty—and if I need an extra massage, I’ll just pay for it without using up credits I don’t need. Adulting, but make it balanced.

And while I was supposed to cancel a wine membership, I… downgraded instead. Listen, I’ve got free bottles stacked up, and I’m not about to throw that blessing away. But I did pause shipments so I’m not drowning in Merlot I have no place to store (or hide from thirsty guests).

🌿 Slower Summer Moments

I wanted to explore more this summer—go out, see new things—but between being busy and getting sick, I didn’t do as much as I’d hoped. Still, August is here and I’m holding space for spontaneous outings. Especially since my sister’s heading back to school soon, and I’ll be on pick-up duty again. Cue the countdown.

I didn’t get to go on a road trip in July, but I already blocked off a date in August. The location? Still a mystery, but I’m pulling out the map and letting the road guide me.

🙏 Spirit & Strength

One thing I’m really proud of: I’ve been sticking to Bible study. I set aside an hour weekly to spend time with God. I missed a week while I was sick, but the goal is consistency, not perfection. I’m proud that I started, and I’ll keep building on that.

Oh—and gym update? Still going strong. Five days a week, every week, for 3 months. We’re approaching three years of movement, and honestly, I’m still motivated and loving it.

📆 August Intentions

Now that I’m back in the groove, here’s what I’m planning for August:

🌊 Fun Days

• Park Day
• Beach Day
• Kava Day
• Movie Theater Day
• Panera Day (to plan, dream, and eat bread bowls in peace)

💆‍♀️ Essentials

• Monthly massage
• A day trip (location TBD)
• A weekly Sunday reset to plan out the upcoming week

🌀 Reflect, Plan, Reset

Reflect:

July was messy in some ways, but it was also exactly what I needed. I didn’t create brand content, but I re-centered myself and made choices that support the version of me I’m becoming.

Plan:

1. Create & publish at least 5 pieces of content
2. Take a trip, whether it’s a one-day escape or a full weekend adventure
3. Organize my weeks, keep a consistent rhythm, and give myself grace if things don’t go perfectly

Reset:

Breathe, flow, allow for spontaneity, and stay open. The reset isn’t just about doing more—it’s about being more present and aligned with what matters.

So that’s my monthly reset. Here’s to no excessive spending, a well-earned road trip, and actually following the content calendar I make (shocking, I know). Let’s make August intentional, fun, and creatively rich