My Mid-July Goals.

I have to admit, I've been trying my best to stay up to date on all things blog, but I've definitely felt good not feeling like I need to rush anything with it either. July has breezed by and I don't think it's too late to set mid-month goals. You have to start somewhere! This will kind of be an update on what I've been up to this summer and some of the things I have planned (amazingly). Summer has felt almost like things have returned to "normal," but I know Chicago is nowhere near that—or anywhere else for that matter. 

Having somewhat of a routine this summer has helped keep me motivated, inspired, and productive. If you know me, I always need to have something to keep me occupied. Whether it be a book, an article, gardening, a fitness goal, or what have you. July has been the quick turn around and I have been in the mood to get my sh*t together a bit because I know August is usually a lot more fast paced as school begins to come around. Isn't that crazy?!

01. Continuing my internship with FCB (Foote Cone and Belding) Chicago! In the spring, I had this small pebble of hope that there would be some opportunity for me to enhance my public relations and advertising expertise. However, due to the pandemic, I lost a few internships and I'm sure a lot of my fellow peers did, too. It was only until late June, I was on the phone with the HR rep from FCB and she was describing this unpaid, five-week program that they were just launching called FCB Academy. 

I am already on week two and am loving it. I tell everyone that it feels like virtual summer camp because there's so much to do, learn, and so many new people to meet. We meet everyday for agency classes, workshops, roundtables, and assignment share outs. Every week is a new theme with a new initiative towards executing a creative advertising brief. I have already made so many kindred connections and if there's anything I've already learned it's that FCB cares and values everybody as equals. 

02. I'm a part time nanny! After 8 years of babysitting, I thought I would get sick of it, but I think childcare is in my blood. Granted, my mom is a preschool teacher. I've never had a problem with watching kids and I think my maternal instincts allow me to do well at the job—no matter the age. It's been a saving grace on the weekends and the best way to make money, in my opinion. Now, I know what you're thinking. How can I nanny during a pandemic? With a mask, of course! To give you reassurance, the parents, who are essential workers, have taken all precautionary measures. 

03. My grandpa's blog launch. This has been a month in the making and started out as a discussion of all the written work my 92 year-old grandpa has done over the years as a professor and dean at Michigan State University. Exploring pieces of him and what goes on in that wise brain of his has given me the honor to work on a project like this with him. He talks all things literature, history, philosophy, religion, and all the cards life has dealt him so far on his blog titled, New, Every Morning. I think a lot of people can learn from him, so please give it a read and a support! 

Within the next month, I hope to have more of his essays, poems, and articles to share on his blog. I think now is a great time to be accumulating his work. Mainly because I've never seen any of it. My grandpa is kind of the root of my love for writing and creating. I think I at least owe it to him to share his work to those who will find joy, insight, and wisdom from his growth and long life endeavors. 

04. Eating with a purpose. I find joy in eating, but I also find it to be an addictive and impulsive habit when I'm really not hungry. The Rohmans are keen to snacking, especially late at night, so I've been working on this impulse and when I feel an urge to sneak into my kitchen cabinet for a handful of Swedish Fish (although treating myself has only been moderated). I will result to eating a bag of frozen grapes or walnuts instead. Maybe it's just because I like to nibble on things because I've only just eaten dinner right before. 

I've also made some better choices: replacing regular 2% with almond milk, being sure I eat something fiber-full like yogurt and granola, and eating more veggies to carbs. I won't try calorie tracking apps because I don't believe in them, but starting from the source and having already healthy food accessible has helped tremendously. 

If you're feeling like you have to postpone goals or that it's too late and you'll just "start tomorrow," baby steps, baby steps, baby steps. Perfection is not obtainable, but progress is. Whether in your physical, mental, social, professional, academic life. Be kind to yourself, continue to push on the things you love and the ideas that move you, engage in conversations, be true to what you need, and breathe. It's just July!