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Let’s be honest: July didn’t ask for permission. It flew. Whether it was a month of momentum or more of a slow burn, this weekend marks the soft landing of another chapter.
And the truth? You don’t have to close it with a bang. You just have to close it with clarity, not chaos.
This isn’t about optimizing the last 72 hours or forcing an August “glow-up” arc. It’s about taking a real moment (even five minutes) to actually feel where you’re at. Because moving forward without looking around is how burnout sneaks in wearing good intentions.
So instead of another list of musts, here’s a check-in worth making…
What's Inside
🧠 3 Low-Lift Ways to End July With Intention (Not Perfection)
There’s something about the last weekend of the month that makes everything feel louder. Maybe it’s the calendar. Maybe it’s capitalism. Maybe it’s the inbox I opened this morning that had the words “Q3 Pressure” in the subject line (hard pass).
Either way, I found myself doing that thing — trying to mentally force August into becoming My Productivity Era™. I was already mapping out a stricter morning routine, rethinking my mileage goals, considering a digital detox, and oh, maybe a closet clean-out? In 48 hours?
Then I went on a run.
It was hot. Like, “why am I doing this” hot. I stopped halfway through, sat on a shady curb with my water bottle, and just let my heart rate settle. And in that moment, something shifted. I wasn’t thinking about my next goal or how to optimize my Sunday. I was just checking in with my body.
And that’s when I realized — maybe this is the move.
Not more effort. Not more goals. Just more awareness.
So instead of forcing August to carry the weight of a reinvention arc, I’m trying something different: finishing July by feeling where I’m actually at.
Here’s how I’m doing that — and how you might want to, too:
1. Energy Audit > Life Audit
Forget the five-year plan. Ask yourself:
→ Where did my energy go this month?
→ What gave me life? What drained me?
For me:
Wins:
Early runs before the heat
walking Mila in silence
Not doom-scrolling after 10 PM
Taking rest days seriously
Hiring a Social Media Manager for Root + Renew
Drains
Overcommitting to plans
Saying yes to calls I didn’t need to take
That one week I tried to multitask a shoot and admin work (chaos)
Committing to networking events that truly brought zero value
Looking for a new weekly house cleaner
You don’t need a spreadsheet. Just note what felt right and what didn’t. That’s data.
2. Make space before you make moves.
You don’t need a brand-new routine. You need room to breathe.
This weekend, I cleared out 10,000+ photos from my phone (don’t ask!), deep-cleaned my apartment, and finally unsubscribed from dozens of newsletters I never read from brands. Not because I had to, but because space is what makes clarity possible.
Ask:
→ Where am I mentally cluttered?
→ What am I tolerating that’s silently draining me?
One small subtraction > five new goals.
3. Pick one thing to carry forward.
Forget the rebrand. What’s one habit, mindset, or moment from July that actually worked for you?
Mine? Stretching past my comfort zone, but without abandoning my routines.
I pushed my distance on long runs, my pace on speed work days, but I still strength trained and made rest days a priority. I said yes to new conversations, but I still kept my solo Sundays. I’ve said “let me take a look at my calendar, and I’ll confirm back with you.” That’s the tension I want to carry into August: growth without the identity crisis.
So, what’s yours?
Seriously. Pause. Think. Write it down. Let that one thing be your August anchor.
Quick Rewind Recap
This isn’t about hustle. It’s about rhythm.
Before you jump into goal-setting mode for August, check your actual pulse:
Where am I now?
What’s working?
What needs to be released?
That’s all the clarity you need to start August right.
If this newsletter hit a nerve in the best way, reply and tell me your “one thing” from July. Let’s carry it forward together.
See you next Sunday!
Valerie
@valeriealvarez
P.S. Was this issue a vibe? Forward it to someone who could use this.
P.P.S. If you’re still sitting in your towel post-shower and haven’t moved in 20 minutes — that is the reset. You're doing great!
Because Your Glow Deserves Better Basics
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