Out with the dud ... in with a BANG! 🎆

Look... Let's be real-real.

I had high hopes for June. After feeling like I dropped the ball epically in May due to feeling overwhelmed with everything, I took steps to get ahead of the game for June. I had posts planned, even scheduled some for when I knew I would be out of town. I set up reminders and writing goals. I joined a hockey romance hop with several other authors--a first for me! I planned to do a M-F post about different LGBTQIA+ books that I have read and would personally recommend. I reached out to a few content creators who I know have their fingers on the pulse of what books are good, what are overhyped, and what are hidden gems.

At the end of May, I honestly thought that I was prepared for June.

And then June happened.

• Those posts I had planned? Well, if they were scheduled, then they go posted. If they weren't scheduled... no dice.

• The internet was hit or miss on our family vacation, which is when the hockey romance hop was going on--not my best planning.

• The representation posts I wanted to do, well the internet issue plagued me and then I let perfect become the enemy of the good.

• I didn't get my blog posts done.

We went on vacation, which was incredible. It was so nice to get away from people and things and the never-ending list of Have To's. But when we came back, all those things were waiting for me. I had to immediately go back to my J.O.B. (the one with the steadier paycheck) which means within 36 hours of being home, I was back at the warehouse working my night shift. It was also our last soccer game of the season + my last game ever coaching + my 39th birthday. The next day was Father's Day. Then it was back to the real world full-time. Hubs back to work. Kids back to their shenanigans.

And then I got sick. It was a summer cold, but it knocked me flat on my ass for several days. Looking at how far behind I was in my writing goals, my posting goals, my sales goals... Nothing was going great, and I just wanted to burrow my head in the sand and forget about this "silly thing" I'm trying to do. Writing? What's that? It felt a lot like no one cared and I let that get to me.

Hard.

Imposter Syndrome + Obliger Rebellion + RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Disorder) meant that for weeks I could summon the energy to do the things I know I need to do. The things I love to do. There were no Effs to give, so I shut down and just let the days roll over me.

But recently--think maybe 48-72 hours ago!-- I stopped feeling sorry for myself. I righted my britches and got to work. I finished setting up the laptop I got for myself a while back when it was on sale. I'd held off because I was sharing my office with my daughter and she's a certifiable tornado. Her messes also meant that I never wanted to go into my office and do any of my admin or creative work. Now we've relocated her and I have my desk back to myself. Mostly.

Hubs still uses it when he want to game a bit but he at least can tidy up after himself!

I pulled out my Erin Condren planner that I got on a huge discount because I bought it in April, my 5 Second Journal from Mel Robbins, my desk calendar, my phone, and favorite pens/highlighters. I spent all of the day updating everything.

Those writing goals I'd set on Pacemaker? Clearly those weren't going to work anymore. Instead of beating myself up about it, I simply changed the dates to ones that were reasonable.

I merged all my professional emails to one OutLook so I can see them all without bouncing back and forth. I changed up my homepages to be everything I would go through in order when I start up the internet. Now I can just work my way down the line, closing out ones that I don't need or have finished.

Then I went and ordered a fun new mousepad and Bluetooth mouse because I hate laptop mousepads!

Outside of the professional things, I also took control over my house. I tidied everything to a bare minimum clean. Basically, if there were a fire, I wouldn't break my neck fleeing my house.

Bare Fah-reaking Minimum!

I prepped my breakfast and lunches for the week, embracing my newfound need for what I like to call "toddler meals." Most of my meals and snacks are grab and go options, things that don't require me to cook.

I added my daily workout plans to my planner so I don't even need to think about those.

Will this work? Sure. At least for a while. And about that time, life will throw me a curveball or the kids will go back to school... something is going to happen. At least now I can mentally process those changes as they come. A few weeks ago, I wouldn't have been able to say that.

May might be Mental Health Awareness Month, but if you find yourself suffering with the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, just know that while it's not a bad thing and you most definitely aren't alone, it's not a bad thing to go looking for help. Find tips and tricks that work for you, but also have grace when they stop.

Okay... who's over and done with all that heaviness?!

🙋‍♀️

Let's talk about what's coming up this month!

July is set to be chock full of fun and exciting things. I'm working with Alex Raby to get Power Play: Book 2 in the Dropped Puck Series out in audiobook through Audible! We have several chapters completed and now I'm running through them with a fine-tooth comb. No set release date yet but seeing those files ... *swoon!*

July is also the busiest month for birthdays in my family. Between my side and my husband's side, we have something literally every week. Throw in holidays and it feels like the month is done before it even has a chance to get off the ground! I plan to make the most of the nice days, lounging by the community pool while my kids find their friends (old and new!) to play with. I'll be there with a book and some sunglasses... and snacks.

No more trips for this summer, which means I can sit down and write. I have to finish 6thMan Series #2! I also have 2 smaller projects in the works. I've also been trying to get my website/store off the ground. It's a lot more work than I had anticipated! But there's no rush on that one. So it can stay on the back burner. May be one of my "25 for 2025" goals!

July 2nd is HALFWAY DAY!

Not sure if you all knew this, but July 2nd is the exact halfway point in the year. It's a great time to reflect on what you've done so far this year, what goals did you set out to accomplish that are still outstanding, and what are you thinking about for the next year. I like to spend a few days in July jotting down a few things that I think will make it on to my list for the following year.

Wild & Windy In The City: Chicago

Tickets go on Sale this month! I had so much fun in May, that I talked to my husband, and he's agreed we're going to find a way for me to go again in 2025. I even think my SIL will be tagging along with me this time.

Bridgerton Season 3

I have all sorts of feelings on this season. I mean... The parts with Pen & Colin were perfection. I've loved those two from the start. I just think they tried to do too much with just 8 episodes. It was supposed to be POLIN and yet we had Benedict and Francesca with more screen time than the MCs. Not cool Shondaland/Netflix/whoever was in charge of making that call.

I think that's it for me! While you wait for me to release Becky & Beau's story, go check out my page of freebies and promos from other authors I think you'll love!

Happy Reading!