June is over and Summer is officially here. So grateful for the nice weather, the direction the blog is going, and the progress on several goals in my life. If you didn’t get a chance to check out my mid-year, quarter 2 update on my yearly goals, check it out! We’re halfway through the year and I’m optimistic that the year will end on a better note than it started.

June was a great month. We’re still struggling a little to make our financial plans work while we transition into a change in our incomes with my new job. But overall, everything is working out a-okay! Speaking of my new job; I’m loving it! It is so much less stressful and I couldn’t be happier. For the first time in a long time, I actually like going to work. I no longer wake up dreading the day ahead of me.

We also have some exciting things to look forward to in the coming month so I can’t wait to keep rolling through the Summer. Fourth of July (Zach will experience fireworks for the first time!), a family work picnic at the Milwaukee zoo, our rummage sale, and another family work picnic that I think Zachary will really enjoy.

With everything I have to be grateful for now, I can’t wait to see what the following months will bring!

Why a monthly grateful post?

So often we get stuck in the day-to-day hustle and forget to acknowledge what’s really important. If someone were to ask “What’s most important to you?” we would be quick to respond with things like family, friends, being a good person, and so on. Unfortunately, we allow ourselves to get sidetracked a lot and temporarily “forget” our priorities. Unanswered emails clamor for our attention, deadlines and “to-do” lists clutter up our minds and steal our attention. As a way to temporarily silence these outside distractions, I like to look back over the past month and remind myself what is beautiful in my life. I try to identify three things that have happened in the past few weeks that I am grateful for and recognize them. I remind myself that these small moments are what make up my life and have value. And for them, I am grateful.

Let’s get into what I’m grateful for this month…

3 Things I’m Grateful for in June

1. A job I like!
   For the first time in years, I finally enjoy my job. Everyone is very nice and helpful and the work is far less chaotic and stressful than previous jobs. I also don’t take anything home with me. Work stays at work which allows me to be completely present with my family at home. In addition, it’s a great environment to work in. I get to be creative and participate in lots of different things. There are also lots of opportunities for growth and involvement within the company. As if that’s not enough, three days a week I get to have lunch with my husband since he works there, too! How great is that?
2. Access to a gym.
   As a perk of my awesome new job, I now have access to a fitness center whenever I want. Since Andy and I drive together three days a week but work shifts that are off by an hour, we each have one hour three times a week to work out. We don’t need to take time away from the family, find someone to watch Zach, or pay gym fees. It’s just part of the work day now. Since I’ve started working out regularly, I’m finding myself more motivated in all other areas. I find myself wanting to get out more after work. I want to work on the blog more. I’m more motivated to get things done around the house. All in all, it’s been such a blessing to almost be forced to get moving for 45 minutes, right at the start of the day.
3. Good response to some recent blog posts.
   This blog has in no way blown up. I have no viral posts and traffic is small. But that’s okay, I’m still working on it and growing. Every day is a learning process and I’m trying new things all the time. As time goes on, I’m improving my writing, finding my groove, and exploring new things. That being said, this month has brought some very positive clues that I’m going in the right direction. It’s so exciting! Three posts had a lot of views (for me) and even some comments! My father’s day post, the Snoopy Birthday Party post, and my letter to Zach on his birthday all did really well this past month, even though two of them were posts done in May. I’m hoping this continues to grow as I move forward!

I’m sure I’ll have lots more to be thankful for in the coming month as well. How about you? I’d love to hear about some of the things you’re grateful for and looking forward to!

What are you grateful for last month?

Link up to your own gratitude posts below!

-To your Better Life-

Kira