I love the first day of a month. It’s like a do-over, a fresh start. July is when I move my attention from being inward to outward, from reflection to action. I woke up this morning feeling inspired to pull out my PowerSheets that I have neglected for several months. It felt good to write down my gratitudes from June, to rework some of my goals, and to get a written tending list in front of me to guide the next 31 days. We have a few birthdays this month, curricula to order, some closets to declutter. I have neglected writing to my Compassion kids in 2021, and so I am planning to write to each of them next week. I desire a fresh set of weekly rhythms but am holding fast to my daily ones. My PowerSheets help reorient me to what matters in my life and to make those things a priority. It gets me out of idealistic “shoulds” and plants me firmly in the season I am in.
I am continuing to enjoy the structure of the Same Page Summer Bible reading program, and am going to join this 31 days of prayer invitation. My personality thrives off of short-term challenges. I will continue drinking my green smoothies, taking a walk or doing Pilates, reading books, and taking occasional naps. These are my best forms of self-care right now. We will take two weeks off of hosting Sunday Night Dinner in deep July to give a breather before the school year begins again. My monthly Mom Heart group just wrapped up on Tuesday from reading Sally Clarkson’s book Own Your Life over the past year. We will pick up again in September. I am praying that God would show me a small group or Bible study that would invest in me this coming semester. I feel like I am moving into a month of “restful productivity” where I continue to make space for margin and filling, and yet move forward on concrete goals.
I loved hearing Emily Freeman talk about the difference between a maker’s schedule and a manager’s schedule. This made SO much sense to me. I function best with a mostly maker’s schedule with a day or two of the manager’s schedule each week. That’s why I get so taxed during the school year: I feel like I mainly live in manager-mode which can feel like a slow death. It’s important that my summers and breaks operate on a maker’s schedule because that’s where I feel most alive and like myself. In July, I will add in more manager days, but very slowly. I have to ease my way back in gently.
I think understanding how we are wired when it comes to scheduling and productivity is important. It’s easy to feel guilt or shame that I am not an hour-by-hour person. I need long blocks of time to generate ideas and work them through. That’s why I do more writing in the summer. It also helps us have grace when we work with someone who has a different work style than we do. Neither one is better, just different.
I hope July continues to be a month where you align your priorities with how God made you but even more with what He is calling you to. May you discern well how to live well this month, leading and loving by humility and prayer.
Aimee
Ah, yes! My husband complains of the intrusions to his maker's schedule (as a software engineer) all the time. It literally derails his work day. So much planning and getting in the zone for what he does. I like how this explanation is laid out. Cheers to knowing what works for you. As for me, I'm just trying to get settled into a new city, and it's harder than I thought it'd be. I need a creative outlet, but first the entire house must be put into order. Phew.