Don’t you just love the first of the month? Any month? Isn’t it always a shiny, new start — and an easier, less stressful new start when it isn’t the first of the year?
Today is the first of a new month, arguably the steamiest of the sultry summer months, and better still — it’s a new month and a Monday.
A new week. A new set of seven opportunities to feel good about something. Possibly something significant. Possibly something trivial. Possibly something you messed up yesterday or last week or last month.
Hey, We All Mess Up, Right?
Maybe you messed up your diet. Maybe you messed up your budget. Maybe you messed up the number of days you planned to work or the number of hours you planned to take off; the number of jobs you planned to apply for or the number of publications you planned to pitch; the number of times you planned to speak up for yourself with your boss or push back against the credit-hogging colleague; the number of nights you went out and shouldn’t have or the number of nights you planned to socialize and begged off…
You get the gist.
A new month is all about a clean-slate sensation, giving yourself a second chance or, if need be, a third or a fourth or whatever you require as long as you re-invigorate your motivation to begin again.
On any given Monday — aptly amplified on social media as #MotivationMonday — don’t we take a deep breath and dig in on the tasks at hand? And at the beginning of a new month don’t we remind ourselves to begin again if beginning again is something that we truly desire or need, even if it’s daunting or wearying or even embarrassing?
Okay. Fessing Up. My Missteps. But…
I blew my diet last month. Multiple times. I tried to regroup and just couldn’t manage to sustain my discipline. I know I said it was time for a No More Excuses approach, but honestly, chronic pain has a way of wearing you down, and reaching for food (especially the sugary stuff) offers an effective (albeit temporary) respite.
Does that sound like an excuse? Yeah, it does to me, too. I need to do better.
I also blew my budget (though not as badly as my diet), I blew a handful of promises I made to myself (like watching less news), and I blew off an acquaintance who wanted to go out (I did so politely).
Redolent with renewed resolve as July rolls out its colorful carpet — (come on, don’t you adore alliteration?) — I am also able to recognize areas where I muscled through challenges and got things done.
WooHoo! Accomplishments!
What do I have to feel good about? Besides the fact that all my much-fussed-over houseplants are happy at the moment?
- I continued key research that will help me organize my space.
- I surpassed the writing goals that I set for myself (here) – a matter of discipline that flows into other areas of my little universe in positive ways.
- Early this morning, I paid all my bills, which always feels terrific — a relief.
- I took up some reading that I hoped to do and while I didn’t finish it, it is so much easier to press on once the process has begun.
Don’t these accomplishments, however minor, reflect the reasons that we like beginnings? Let’s hear it for highlighting milestones and goals that so naturally fit the structure of a monthly measure!
First of the Month Motivation
On the first of the month, we just get down to business. We assess what we have done and what remains to be done and we do so with a cooler head. Besides, doesn’t it feel good to be standing on a hopeful Day One of sorts looking forward rather than back?
This morning I also took advantage of the fact that sizzling temperatures in the mid and upper 90s have yielded to a relatively cool day; I took a short walk when it was “only” 80°. And even the smallest amount of exercise – especially when shrubs and gardens are in full bloom – is always uplifting.
Now, there’s another list in my (hard) head where, despite my efforts, I made little to no progress, in other words, I was running into a brick wall. Typically, when it is the first of a new month, I can power up (again), find my inner fierceness (again), and persist in attempting to scale the adversarial wall, tunnel under it, or dismantle it brick by brick.
Letting Go. Not So Simple.
As part of that process, this morning I am working on letting things go. Letting things go is not my best event even when it’s only simple things that I was stressing over last week and the week before.
I am buoyed by seeing the small patch of floor that I was able to clear a few days ago; it was slow going but I did it! And I’m just letting go of the frustration over other stacks and boxes that remain for now.
I am letting go of the fact that I ate foods I shouldn’t have and undid the progress I made on losing weight; instead of flagellating myself, this morning I am drinking water (and more water and more water) after taking a walk, and I’m planning my menu for the next few days.
On that walk, I stopped at a local grocer and bought fresh veggies to make a big pot of healthy vegetable soup. As things stand, it will be a time-consuming undertaking — Advil and plenty of breaks, like now, in order to manage the washing and chopping. But I will just take a deep breath and recognize that it will take the time it takes. And then, by evening, I will have a fantastic pot of soup to last through the week. And homemade soup is one of my long-time comfort foods.
These are only three examples. They don’t sound like much. But for me, letting go of expectations I hold for myself – accepting where my life is at the moment – is always a work-in-progress.
I realize that by the time you read this indulgent bit of navel-gazing, it may no longer be Monday much less the first of any month. I also realize that when I write on the bad days, my words can be hard to read. I soft-pedal as much as I can, but sometimes I feel hypocritical if I don’t actually say how tough it is managing pain. And it is. But thankfully, not every day.
Soup! Summer Soup! Who Doesn’t Love Soup?
On that note, I love to take advantage of the sense of freshness I feel each and every 30 or 31 days when it is a new month. What can I say? It just feels good.
Meanwhile, I’m determined to keep my nose to the grindstone on my No More Excuses Healthy Eating regimen. And I’m already imagining my fantabulous summer veggie soup as an early dinner with a nice glass of cabernet. All it takes is veggie or chicken broth in a pressure cooker with a heap of your faves tossed in.
My recipe? Leeks, carrots, onions, garlic, squash of your choice (I love zucchini and yellow squash), a few red potatoes, seasoning… and oops! I forgot the mushrooms.
So, I need to get back to my slow-walked washing and chopping. Enough of a break. But look at these colors! Aren’t they gorgeous?
Tell me, do you enjoy the first of the month as much as I do? And how do you feel about summer soup? Do you have a favorite? If you’re in the U.S., are you planning fun and recreation for this holiday week?
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I dread each new month because it is a new nail-biting exercise of whether my clients will pay me before my bills are due. I have nothing nice to say about the gig economy.
Yes, well… yup. But that is a whole other (stressful) conversation. ☹️
Thank you for taking time to note the accomplishments, too. So often the deficits are glaring, but there has been some good to observe as well. I do love “firsts” and the July 1 date plus a Monday was not lost on me. I have to keep reminding myself some things are worth the fight even if I never get to my ideal goal…I’m better for the effort.
You are so right about the importance of the fight, Missy.
You: “Tell me, do you enjoy the first of the month as much as I do?
Me: No I do not. I’m with Taste of France. First of the month is about the reminder that the monthly income is less than the monthly expenses incurred to breathe; and watching the years of savings dwindle to pay for my support of one person plus two dogs.
You: “And how do you feel about summer soup?”
Me: Summer Soup is not on my menu. I live in a hot humid climate so my Summer Menu is southern style supper (no dinner) consists of a cold salad or cold cuts sandwich or cold avocado salsa guacamole with Tostito chips. Lots of bottled water!
You: “If you’re in the U.S., are you planning fun and recreation for this holiday week?”
Me: Yes, but not to celebrate or watch fireworks. I’m going to travel away from the heat of heavy island tourists and booked a room with a balcony overlooking the Riverwalk in San Antonio on the quite end cap of where the tourists will be buzzing among the cool spreading oak trees. My realtor contact ended on the 30th which opened an opportunity for me to regroup my mental wellness and rebuild my self confidence. This idea came to me Monday. My menu will be homemade cold salads, cold cut sandwiches, cold deviled eggs with cold bottled water. My company will be my two dogs sitting and watching with me from the private balcony. We will take a few short walks and I will have a massage.
For some people that might sound extremely uninteresting, but that is where I am in this moment. I struggle through immense pain like you, D.A. It’s absolutely okay to talk about the pain, authentic, of your own personal story, the great, good, mediocre, bad and downright ugly. Some days for me, just sitting on the patio is as good as it gets. How do I rationalize paying for it? I don’t have TV, Internet, Cable Service for over year… and I won’t be adding it back into my monthly expenses… it’s the trade-off.
This travel will be challenging, no doubt. I hope to slowly pace myself knowing that if it gets too painfully hard or difficult, then I can always come back to my home. Happy 4th of July!
Yes. Pace yourself, and happy 4th!
Yes, D.A., I paced myself as best I could. I was definitely challenged! It was great for the change of environment and routine for both me and my dogs who had such a wonderful experience and brought me much joy. Great memories, but as I checked out of the hotel there was an awareness that this should be my last travel because of my personal situation.
My house is off the market now. Starting over at 60 with my situation is not feasible for me. I do think that it is possible for other people depending on physical health and mental wellness, ample financial resources and people resources for the physical and emotional support that a relocation takes. I relocated to this house across states at 50 and it was certainly doable. A lot can change in ten years.
Pacing myself as I continue my reality here, aging in place. Hopefully you did get some time with your son or sons!
How can you not like soup? Thanks for the veggie soup reminder. Perfect for me. xoxox, Brenda
My former mother-in-law made the absolute best soups from fresh vegetables in the garden. Even in summertime, those soups, almost always including some variation of potatoes and leeks, were just scrumptious. Yep. Soups rule! ?
My oldest 13yo dog passed away two weeks ago. This trip was a memory so precious to me. My other little dog 7yo are adjusting. It’s just the two of us girls now.
Today, August 25 is the date of landfall here of surviving Hurricane Harvey two years ago. As TS Dorian is gaining strength in the Gulf to become a hurricane, we are reminded how quickly the course can change. It is in the exact position as Harvey was on August 17. I will be watching it closely and tonight I’m thinking of the people in Puerto Rico as they are preparing for category one Wednesday morning. Too soon to really know where or what strength by the first of the month.
Robert are you watching? A lot of conversations here over the weekend as I got out of the house for a bit of social time. I wonder if Houstonians were remembering and talking. I think it’s part of the healing process. Our TV news person wrote a goosebump post today of his personal experience as he remembered being here and having the responsibility of that aspect. I took a couple of photos before I took cover in my shower that I set up as camp for the week. Goosebumps to know that he was right there with me. Incredible courage.
I hope you are still enjoying soup and keeping the weight challenge at a good pace.
Hi TD
We are watching, but not with apprehension as of yet. Harvey is still very much on our minds, though. We are within a mile of a bayou that overflowed and we drive by the now vacant lots, yet to be rebuilt on, on a regular basis. And, as it happens, a close friend whose home in that area was flooded and fixed just closed his sale of it today.
Unfortunately, I don’t think there is widespread Harvey conversation. Not like there should be, particularly in terms of area flood control planning.
Hey Robert!
I grew up playing on Buffalo Bayou during the seasons when the Fonn Villas Swim Pool season was over. Beautiful landscapes and lovely homes. The city made of concrete was often flooding or steam sizzle from the streets up into the skies.
Driving by the now vacant lots must be a very odd feeling. Knowing the hardships of friends and acquaintances that are still feeling Harvey’s effects is heartbreaking.
What aggravates me is when the Governor decides to build a million dollar pier with tax dollars to build a new fishing pier while 1000 people are still living in tents because they became homeless overnight. Does the Governor really think that these homeless tent people want a fancy fishing pier? I just don’t get it…