I observe a traditional 12-month calendar because I’m part of the world, but I realize that personally, a year is not really broken into months or winter/spring/summer/fall but instead it's made up of six distinct periods. To wit:
January - I'm generally a mess for the entire month, blinking my way into the New Year and not holding myself accountable for making any big changes.
Badass/Thriving Period- I tend to get my shit together by the beginning of February and cruise through the next few months on a combination of stable routines and keeping it cozy at home. This is when I typically make my goals, for example, by May I’m regularly running 5 miles or whatever and I’ve logged a lot of writing hours.
Vacation summer - July through mid-August is a series of getaways, beaches, family, fun food and flowing drinks. Brains go out the window, and pretty much everything else with 'em, with glorious abandon.
FML summer and false fall - when vacation is over, the hot and humid weather overstays its welcome and I descend into fitful, crabby malaise. Probably don't touch or talk to me, and don't expect too much.
Good fall - this occurs around mid-October and marks a brief return of exhilaration and productivity along with crunchy leaves and my beloved sweaters.
The Holidays - Halloween through New Year's. Basically vacation summer, but cold. And repeat. It's helpful to be in touch with one's own phases and patterns, I've gotta say.
I swear I even smile sometimes (usually in phases 2, 3, 5 and 6), I'm just bad at capturing it.
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