Mid-Year Reset: Everything Making Me Feel Good Right Now

What's actually working, as a new mom heading back to full-time

I think (and talk) about the progression of the year constantly. The seasons and how the cadence shifts with sports, holidays, school year, and the weather.

Which is why I love the idea of a mid-year check-in. July 1, right in the thick of summer, feels like the natural time to stop and ask: where are you compared to what you expected? How are you feeling? How do you want to show up over the next six months… the same, or different?

July is also the month I go back to work after an incredible mat leave. Which means more change. So I wanted to take stock of what’s actually been making me feel good as a new mom heading back to a full-time job.

Disclaimer: you don’t need to do or buy any of this. I’m just documenting what’s working for me and what I like doing, because I love getting inspiration from other people. So here ya go.

Morning routine

I'm going to say the thing nobody wants to hear. I wake up with a 5 handle - 5:45am, to be exact. It sounds insane. But it's energized me for years (thank you, 4:15am wake-up calls for high school swimming), and it's how I thrive, especially with a baby.

• Red light. Full honesty: I only just brought this back out after a year in hibernation. We moved, it sat in a closet, and now I’m back on my game (just five minutes every morning) and I forgot how much I love it. Morning sunlight works just as well!

• Strength training. I’ve spent the last two years mostly strength training, and I can feel a striking difference mentally and physically. I started this program while pregnant because of how good the maternity version is, and I’ve stuck with it postpartum. Only needs free weights, a box or bench, and the occasional band, which is perfect for a home gym.

• Smoothie. I used to get the smoothie ick constantly, until I landed on ~three I rotate and started using this protein powder. Starting the day with 30g+ of protein, plus fiber and veggies, has been a game changer.

• Walking. Especially after a meal. It’s the best thing for digestion, and there’s nothing I love more than stepping constantly! Dog walks, baby walks, walks with friends. (It’s also proven that walking makes you more comfortable talking.)

• Uniform. I’ve decided I like wearing basically the same thing every day. I feel confident and put-together without being overdressed. So I invested in a few of my favorite button-downs and my new favorite pants.

Things for fun!

• Summer clean-out. Not sure everyone will call this fun, but an organized, clean space genuinely does wonders for how I focus and how much I enjoy myself. I spent a weekend organizing our home gym and laundry room (with this as my #1 gadget) and feel so much freer.

• Disposables. Shooting disposable cameras all summer has been so much fun, and there’s nothing better than getting the film back and forgetting half the photos I even took. Bringing back analog summers!

• Beni. Secondhand is my new favorite hobby, and Beni makes it all possible. It’s a marketplace for secondhand, so you search for what you want and it aggregates across all the secondhand sites. You can set up alerts and do reverse image searches. I’m committed to buying secondhand for the vast majority of things for the rest of the year : )

Night time routine

• Alarm clock. A good one is non-negotiable for me. Number one, so I don’t have to keep my phone in the room. Number two, because it plays soft, subtle music to wind down to every night.

• Bricked. I got a Brick a few months ago and it’s been a game changer for my mental health and how I spend my time. How I use it:

  • Bricked 1–5pm every afternoon, and 8:30pm onward (I have to UnBrick in the morning to use it at all).

  • Bricked 8:30pm Friday until 5pm Sunday. Absolutely fantastic!

• Reading. Loading up on memoirs, fantasy, and a few business reads. Always reminded how nice it is to wind down with my Kindle.

• Hue red lights. Bulbs you can put in any lamp - I switch on the red setting every night. Lowers my cortisol and is the best feeling for relaxing before bed.

• Tea. Obsessed with this brand, which has become my nightly ritual.

• CBD gummies. Back on my CBD grind, and these are a game changer for when you just need a little something to unwind.

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