My July 2025 Challenge: The Plan That Shifted

Hi again—it’s Diana from Healthy Seniors.

Somehow, it’s already the end of July. I blinked and the month disappeared into a blur of sunshine, melting popsicles, and that sticky, lazy heat that makes you lose track of the days.

If you remember, last month I set out with a bold little challenge: try something new. Something with rhythm. Movement. Joy. I tossed around ideas—drum lessons, dance classes, something a little out of my comfort zone and into the fun zone.

So… how’d it go?

Well. Let’s just say July didn’t go quite as planned.

Actually, it didn’t go to plan at all.

I started off with the usual excitement. I researched local dance studios, bookmarked some beginner drum tutorials, and even added a few options to my calendar.

But life had other plans. A heatwave rolled in. Work got busy again. Family came to visit. I kept thinking, “I’ll start next week.” Then, “Maybe when things settle down.” Then suddenly it was mid-month and all I’d done was... live.

No dance shoes. No drumsticks. Just regular old me, going through the summer rhythm without adding anything shiny or new.

And of course—just like clockwork—the guilt crept in.
You said you were going to do this.
You should at least TRY something.
You’re wasting time.

It was the same voice from June, just dressed in a tank top and sandals.

For a few days, I wrestled with it. I kept thinking I was falling short again. That I was supposed to be using this summer to transform somehow—get stronger, happier, wiser. That just enjoying it wasn't enough.

One slow afternoon, I was lying in the shade with a book I wasn’t really reading, sipping something cold, and I caught myself smiling. Nothing special had happened. It was just a peaceful moment.

And I thought: What if this is the lesson?

Not everything needs to be a challenge. Not every month needs a goal, a breakthrough, or a clever takeaway. Sometimes, we just need space. Stillness. Time that isn’t filled with self-improvement.

I didn’t pick up a new skill. But I did pick up a slower pace. I stopped rushing. I gave myself permission to be present without a to-do list attached. I lingered in conversations, let meals stretch out, and sat outside until the sun dipped low.

And honestly? That felt like something I’d been craving for a long time.

So maybe July did have something to teach me, after all.
That rest isn’t failure. That joy doesn’t have to be earned. That simply living—without needing to constantly do or improve—is a radical act in its own right.

What Worked:
✅ Letting summer be simple
✅ Embracing unscheduled time
✅ Releasing the pressure to perform or produce

What Didn’t Work:
❌ Feeling guilty for not following through
❌ Believing that “new” always means “better”
❌ Thinking rest had to be justified

August’s Challenge? We’ll see. I might try something. Or I might keep this slower rhythm going for a bit longer. I’m learning to be okay with either option.

And you know what? I trust that when the seasons shift, I’ll shift too. I know that come autumn, I’ll return with fresh ideas, more energy, and that spark I’ve been waiting for. But maybe this summer isn’t about chasing momentum. Maybe it’s about slowing down, being with my kids and my family, and just enjoying each other—without goals, without structure, without trying to turn every moment into something productive. Just being together. That’s more than enough.

So now I’m curious:
What are your plans for this summer?
Are you learning something new? Or leaning into rest? Either way, I’d love to hear about it.

We’re all still growing—sometimes in loud, obvious ways. Sometimes quietly, under the surface. Either way, it counts.