July in Review and Looking Towards August

Hello, August – the one month of the year that feels more like an ending than a beginning. Even though (for the first time I can remember) I won’t be going back to school in a few weeks, August still feels like the end of summer, and the beginning of long, cold days.

But what August also signifies to me is the perfect time for new goals. For giving ourselves a fresh start and a clean slate to make our dreams come true.

Reflecting on July: She is Fierce

Just like June, July has meant a lot of growth for this space. I’ve changed up my sponsorship program – going from Passionfruit to Adproval, and so far I’m loving the new program and the helpful staff that seems to come with. This switch also means a few new ad spaces so that you can find the perfect one for you and your blog or shop!

It’s not here yet, but a new design is also in the works for She is Fierce, care of Whitney. Between that and the great sponsorships and blog reviews I have planned for the coming weeks, August should mean some fun changes ’round here.

Reflecting on July: Life

July has been a relaxing month around here (if you don’t count working two jobs, plus classes and freelance writing). I never really got around to starting that budget (just making a lot of lists that included “budget” and making a basic framework that I never followed up on). Even though I never got around to budgeting though, I have started putting money into savings – so I’m counting that goals as half-complete. Yoga every day was a success! I started (and maybe didn’t finish) plenty of books that I’m really enjoying so far, and my bedroom is officially decorated.

Favorites from July

// On Defining Feminism
// The Ocean Inside of Us
// On Disconnecting and Just Being
// How to Build a Community Using Twitter
// Finding Honesty in Blogging

August Goals

Yoga

I mentioned above that I have done yoga every day this past month, but for the most part it wasn’t very organized. The days where I actually watched a video and followed a flow were few and far between, and this month I’d like to make that more of a regularity rather than simply jumping on the mat and doing whatever I feel like (ie. downward dog, cobra, crow, pigeon, and a few miscellaneous stretches for the most part). On the rare occasion that I did follow a “flow”, I really enjoyed Adriene’s videos, so I’m planning on follow her channel for something I can actually do.

Water

I finally managed to cut soda out of my diet in the last couple weeks. But I still don’t think I’m drinking enough water. This month, I’d like to make it a goal to drink at least 5 bottles of water a day.

Feminist Link-Up

A few weeks ago, Marielle e-mailed me with an idea for a new link-up – one with the focus on feminism, which is a topic the both of us had noticed a lack of in the blogging community. Thus was born The F-Word, a monthly link-up for bloggers to talk feminism. Our first one is this Thursday, with the optional topic of when did you first realize you were a feminist.

I’m really excited about this new project, both because of what it is and because Marielle is one of my favorite bloggers out there, so working with her on this is super exciting! I know there have to be plenty of bloggers out there just waiting for a reason to talk feminism, so I hope you’ll all join us this Thursday!

Schedule a full week of posts

I’ve been slowly working on getting posts scheduled ahead of time (although clearly today was not one of those days), and my next goal with this is to get a full week planned! I’ll be on vacation with my family next week, so that’s the perfect time to plan for, I think. What are your suggestions on planning several posts ahead of time?

Work on the A Beautiful Mess design course

Okay, last month I had a goal to complete this course in July, but clearly that didn’t happen. This month, I’m trying to be more realistic in respect to all the things I have going on. I know I won’t complete this course any time soon, but I would like to do some serious work on it! This might mean a purchase in the near future of Photoshop Elements.

Etsy Shop

I’ve been telling friends and family for a while now that I want to start an Etsy shop with some of my photography and crochet, but it hasn’t actually happened yet. I don’t know if the shop will go live this month, but I’d like to get ready for it to happen – figure out where I’ll print photos and what sizes, get some inventory ready, and build the shop.

Photography

I love sites like Unsplash that offer free stock photos for you to do whatever with, but I also think there’s a lot to be said for using your own photography. In the last couple weeks, I’ve worked hard to make sure I use my own pictures in my posts, and I’d like to continue that in August. Over the next few weeks, I want to work towards building a cache of my own “stock” photos that I can use when I need one for a post.

So what about you? What are your goals for August?

http://www.blogger.com/profile/15263331247319768989 Shybiker

Good progress. It’s encouraging to keep track of your goals. I applaud your switching water for soda. And it’s fun to take pictures. I carry my cameras everywhere and find endless opportunities, which enhance my blog.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/12046155728445845231 Hannah at The Lemon Hive

I’m excited to see your Etsy shop. I have one that’s dormant but after reading your blog, I’m wondering whether I should start it up again. Especially considering that I have all kinds of PNG drawings and files I could sell. It’s scary to put yourself out there but you can learn so much about yourself and the business.

Good luck with your venture!

Hannah
http://www.thelemonhive.com
http://www.blogger.com/profile/18290784562072040485 Mika P.

It sounds like you have a lot going on and a lot to look forward to! It’s exciting to hear about your future endeavors, and I can’t wait to take a look at your Etsy shop and see even more progress on your blog. Good luck with your amazing goals (:
http://www.blogger.com/profile/14402931345248478585 Rubi @ When Life Gives You Rubi

I also really want to build my own library of photos, especially after a girl in a blogger network posted today about being contacted by someone threatening to sue her over a photo!
http://modernnotebook.com/ modernnotebook.com

Great goals! I also want to build up my own stock pile of images. I love taking photos any way, so that’s not really a problem. I also want to work on scheduling posts and I’ll be traveling next week. It seems like a strange concept.