Monthly Reflections: July
Welcome to my monthly reflections! This is my journal space, where I share my monthly highs and lows of running my business as a solo founder, whilst navigating life as a girl in her 30s, who loves to not take life too seriously whilst also having existential thoughts most days.
So this is what’s been going on for me in July…
Slowing Down
I’ve officially entered the third trimester and it honestly feels like another big invitation to slow down. It’s like life is holding up two signs, one pointing to the old way of moving fast, getting things done, rushing through my days and the other one saying: “You don’t have to do that anymore”.
I’m choosing the second one.
It feels so good and so needed. And what I’ve realised, after years of rushing, is that going slow actually feels luxurious. I’m not talking just about face masks and massages (although, yes please), I mean the privilege of not rushing. Of waking up without immediately pushing. Of listening to what my body wants and actually responding. It feels like a deep exhale I didn’t even realise I needed.
A Milestone Moment
I have officially completed the second year of my master’s and honestly, I’m still taking that in. Two years down, three to go.
This has been one of those long-held dreams that I doubted would be possible. For the longest time, I sat in indecision, wondering if it was the right time, worrying about how it would work with wanting to have kids, questioning whether I could actually do it. Even when I finally made the decision to start, I still didn’t feel totally certain. But I said yes anyway.
And I just keep thanking past me for making the decision, for finally going for it, for trusting it would work out and for starting, even though it didn’t necessarily feel like the “perfect” time. I’m so incredibly grateful that I did. I’m so proud of myself for not letting the doubt win.
So if you’ve been sitting on the fence with a decision, here’s your reminder:
You don’t need to feel 100% ready.
You don’t need to wait for doubt to disappear.
You just need to back yourself, even a little.
New doesn’t mean wrong. It just means unfamiliar. And unfamiliar can lead to something really, really good.
Anchoring Through the Senses
I spent a beautifully relaxing weekend at Restaurant Myse and one of the things that stayed with me (beyond the incredibly delicious food) was how calming the space felt. As soon as I walked into the room, it smelt so good and immediately, I could feel my nervous system settle. It reminded me just how powerful our senses are when it comes to regulating how we feel.
It’s something I often speak about with my clients, how the smallest sensory cues can support us. They can be anchors when things feel busy, uncertain or overwhelming.
Here are a few questions to think about:
How might a smell connect to a feeling you want to cultivate, like calm, strength, or focus?
How could a playlist help you drop into deep work mode or rest more easily?
What image or visual cue might inspire you every time you see it on your desk?
These little things add up. They help us come back to ourselves again and again.
Have a lovely month and I'll see you at the end of August!
Elyssa x
