Hey, did you hear? The year is half over.

Or we could just say it's the middle of summer.

Photo by Christian Bowen on Unsplash

Dear Reader Friends,

I’m going to warn you that this newsletter *might be* inspired by the vibe of a podcast my college roommate recently recommended. The podcast is “I’ve Had It,” and as you can guess, the hosts and their guests rant about things they’ve had it with.

Is that genius, or what?

If you want in on this Podcastland Festivus, new podcasts drop twice a week. Just note that these ladies don’t mince their words.

Listen with caution or headphones.

Photo by C D-X on Unsplash

Don’t worry, I’m not going to write anything that threatens my family-friendly rating, but I do appreciate the sentiment of the podcast.

If I were a guest on their show, I’d declare that I’ve Had It with the following:

1. Attention drawn to the fact that July 1 is halfway through the year.

2. Any reference to Christmas in July. (Though with July 4 in the middle of the week this year, it feels a lot like the week between Christmas and New Year’s, when nobody knows what day it is.)

3. Back-to-school displays that pop up at the end of June.

4. Halloween decorations that flood the aisles, making beach towels a rare find in mid-July, while pirate costumes and pumpkin lawn ornaments are available ad nauseam.

Note that I really don’t mind any of the above holidays, and I appreciate a brand new Trapper Keeper as much as the next person, but all of summer’s early bird specials lead me to:

What I’d Rather Be Talking About this week is the tendency to focus on any future date instead of focusing on today.

Can’t July just be July?

On that sentiment, let’s just get to it.

Happy July,

Abbey

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LISTEN:

• Regardless of what month we’re in, money lessons are always good. In this episode of the Goal Digger Podcast, “How to Build Wealth TODAY with the Beyonce of Personal Finance,” host Jenna Kutcher talks to financial educator and author Melissa Jean-Baptiste. For more of Melissa, check out her book, So This is Why I’m Broke: Money Lessons for Financial Literacy, Passive Income, and Generational Wealth.

• Not sure about you, but I’m always trying to be more efficient in my work and everyday life. Lauryn Evarts Bosstick, co-host of The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast, is a master of efficiency. In “Lauryn’s Productivity Habits, Tactics, & How to Plan an Impactful Day,” Lauryn and her assistant Katie Hobson(@hangryhobson) have a candid discussion of how they plan for efficiency and success.

STREAM:

• Remember my first newsletter of the year when I personally banned resolutions yet still sort of made some? The following YouTube recommendation might feel like that, as this week’s overarching theme hints at my annoyance with mid-year references. Yet here I go with this Mid-Year Reset tutorial. The big takeaway is this question: Six months from now, what will you wish you had spent time on today?

READ:

• While looking for writing gigs, I discovered this website and their “Letter to a Stranger” and “Postcard to a Stranger” series. So. Moving.

EAT/DRINK

• When you don’t want to fire up the grill or oven, there’s always the crockpot.

Photo by Cooker King on Unsplash

• Three videos for reducing inflammation through diet and drinks this summer: Andrew Barnard, The Nard Dog Cooks (no relation to The Office), EXCITING NEWS! + Raw Vegan Meal Prep, Recipes for Summer from EATMOVEREST, and Pick Up Limes has suggestions for refreshing anti-inflammatory drinks.

Photo by Nadine Primeau on Unsplash

• On the note of anti-inflammation, try The Good Stuff next time you pour a cup of coffee. It helps with focus, inflammation, energy, skin health, and hydration, and I’m so psyched to be an ambassador for all of the products at For Wellness. (OMG, their Recovery Gummies and Superfood Focus Bites are unbelievable.) Use ABBEY25 at checkout for 25% off!

  

• Wait, are you like… “Hey, Abbey. What about an anti-inflammatory drink for a hot summer day? After a run or workout?” Then you need to try ZYN - a refreshing drink that is oh-so-good for you. ZYN is made with Curcumin from Turmeric, which is good because Curcumin is known for its powers to reduce inflammation like nobody’s business. Plus, these drinks are handy (to-go cans and bottles or convenient powder packs to throw in your bag) and great for any time of the day or night.

  Click here and use amaZYN at checkout for 15% off.

  

ON A SERIOUS NOTE:

I’m purposely keeping the suggestions above a bit short because… it’s July. Summer. Time to be outside and be with family.

So, please…

Have a popsicle.

A cold beer.

Or might I suggest a tinto de verano?

Go do all the things and see all the people that make summer the glorious season it is.

Because, as we all know, time does fly, and before we know it, it’ll be Christmas.

Happy July,

Abbey