I blinked, and its mid August. Where did the summer go?
We've been on the move -- traveling, entertaining, and making the most of the long summer days.
While I love our friends and family dearly, sometimes I need to remind myself that it's okay to feel overwhelmed by all this socialization and step back.
I work hard to keep balance and boundaries, but sometimes I feel guilty.
Aren't I supposed to be generous?
Am I rude if I say no to this?
Shouldn't I show up for this person?
The question isn't whether to be flexible or firm, but be wise enough to know when to have selfish boundaries AND when to extend unselfish giving.
Bottom line: We can't be all things at all times!
The last few months have been busy, but it won’t be like this forever. Seasons come and go.
For now, I'm trying to make the most of everything, enjoy the moments I can, and give myself grace.
Whether it’s running, your work, or some other pursuit that’s important to you, I think performance specialist Robert Wilson’s advice holds true when it comes to sustainable performance: Don’t major in the minors. What does he mean by this? In short, don’t let a fancy new coat of paint distract you from building your dreams brick by brick.
I've switched gears for the summer and picked up this fun beach read by Elin Hilderbrand. The mystery novel takes place in Nantucket and has you guessing 'who did it' from chapter one. I couldn't put it down, and you won't want to either. Enjoy :-) (Btw, the Netflix series based on the book drops September 2nd!)
I must admit, this one hit home. The typical Olympic training regimen: wake up early and train all day. Rinse and repeat for years. But when you over-train and burn out, your regimen needs to switch to long stretches of doing nothing. The result? Read on... There’s a lesson here, even for us non-Olympians.
There's so much wisdom packed into this one article. (And it's written amazingly well!) “Not taking things personally frees us from suffering over realities that might only exist in our own minds.” But where or how do we start? Read on...
I fell in love with Austin Kleon's books a few years ago, and this blog is worth sharing. My favorite quote from it: “So many people think you have to first call yourself an artist, know who you are and what you’re about, and then you can start making art,” writes Austin Kleon. “No, no, no. You do the stuff first, then you can worry about what it is, who you are. The important thing is the practice. The doing. The verb. We aren’t nouns, we are verbs.
✍️ My Latest Blogs & Writings #SimonSays
Note: I've been a little behind on my writing with summer travels, but here are the latest articles from the XO blog
Are you looking for a writer for your site? Holler! (Reply back to this email!)
📸 Pic of the Month ….
We had the most amazing week on the East Coast -- visiting Newport, Chatham, Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard. We made so many beautiful memories with sweet friends. Where have you been traveling this summer? We're always looking for new places to explore. Send your ideas!
♥️ What I’m diggin
While it might be overly trendy right now, I can't get enough of these Lululemon belt bags. I have several colors, and they've been the perfect accessory for travel. Check it out!
🤔 Food For Thought
Simplifying your life can bring a sense of calm and clarity. It can seem like a big task, but start small -- simple changes can make a big difference in creating a more focused and peaceful lifestyle.
By clearing both your physical and mental space, you create room for growth, peace, and the things that bring you true joy and fulfillment.
People who bet on themselves tend to win.” —Billie Jean King
Clarity isn’t about knowing what you want to do with your life, it’s about knowing what you want to do this week. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to know your next step.- James Clear
True confidence is living in uncertainty.” —Phil Stutz
💭 Final thoughts
As adults, it’s easy to get caught up in responsibilities and forget the joy of play.
This week, make sure you remember to play -
Go ahead, bust out your favorite board game, escape into a good book, or run around the yard with your pups—you do YOU!
XO, jules 😘
✌️ Marketing Moves
Not sure what your customers are searching for online? Or, how to target your ideal persona?
You’re not alone. And I can help! Reply back to this email or schedule a 30-minute meeting here to get started. I can't wait to chat ❤️
Btw, I love referrals too!
Below the Fold:
Update: I finished writing my 100-day Devotional! Now, I'm editing and figuring out what publishing might look like... a little bit of work here each day is adding up to something amazing. Whats your 1% each day look like?
#SimonSays... Hey there... Coming at you from 35,000 feet -- Yes, we've been jet-set the last few weeks, which has been awesome, but my inner homebody is screaming out! Which reminds me, I recently wrote a blog that resonated with MANY of you. I couldn't believe all the calls, texts and emails I received from friends saying, 'Wow, that's me too? (thanks for those, btw!) If you haven't had the chance, give it a read: IT TOOK ME 40 YEARS & SEVERE BURNOUT TO REALIZE I WAS AN INTROVERTED...
#SimonSays... Hey there... Okay, waaaait, wait, wait, can time slow down for a sec? ✋ How can it be Fall already? With the change of seasons, one thing I've been thinking about lately is how we often think that something "far off" will make us happy. We think traveling to a new place, getting a different job or meeting someone new will make us happy. But happiness will always be withheld if you believe it is somewhere else. Somewhere in the future.... The secret is to find joy in the people...
#SimonSays... Hey there... It's my birthday month! 🎉 And there's nothing quite like a trip around the sun to get you thinking.... You know how it goes – we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of chasing success. Society has this way of conditioning us to always strive for the next big thing – the degree, the job, the partner, the family. But in doing so, we often lose sight of what truly matters. We forget to take a moment to pause and reflect on what we really want out of life. It's like...
