What I Learned in July

1) Gut instinct is a real thing.

Early in July, an apartment came available in the community I want to live in when I move in September. The rent was about $70 over my ideal price, but my nerves got the best of me – I wanted to live in this community and I’ll deal with the higher rent price! I called the leasing office, had the application emailed to me, and was on my way to get money orders for the application fee and security deposit. But while I was driving, my stomach was twisted into knots. All I kept thinking was that I was making a bad choice.

So I turned around. I left. I listened to my gut feeling, which was telling me that this was not the apartment.

And then, two days later, an apartment in that same community came available at the exact rental price I was looking for. Timing is everything, isn’t it?

I’m so glad I paid attention to what my gut was telling me because by doing so, I was able to apply for the apartment I truly wanted. And I did so with peace, knowing I was following my intuition.

2) Braiding a friendship bracelet is surprisingly therapeutic.

My roommate introduced me to the relaxing benefits of braiding a friendship bracelet. I’m not sure how I lived 28 years of my life without ever making a friendship bracelet, but here I am. I’m still working on mine, but I’ve been braiding little by little while watching TV. I started while watching a John Mulaney comedy special (highly recommend – it’s on Netflix!), continued through episodes of Big Brother, and braided while watching the fourth Harry Potter movie. It’s such a calming activity – give it a try!

3) Part of the reason why I love my alone time is because I’m not *technically* alone.

One of my least favorite things to do is to drop Dutch off at PetSmart for baths and vet appointments. Even though I know he needs them, it still breaks my heart to hand off my little munchkin to these people who don’t have the same emotional attachment to him as I do. I just want to tell them how special he is and to treat him kindly. (I shudder to think of the kind of mom I will be. SIGH.)

I also hate dropping Dutch off because coming home to an empty apartment is quite dreadful. It’s just so quiet. Even though Dutch is small and he doesn’t make a ton of noise, there’s something comforting about having another living being (can a dog be a “being”?) with me. Alone time feels a bit lonelier without him by my side. Even if he’s away from me, sleeping in his bed, it’s comforting to know I am not technically alone. Dutch is there.

I guess it’s something you get used to, or maybe this is just what makes me a dog person. I can’t imagine my life without a buddy by my side.

4) I just really hate going to the beach.

My friend told me about a beach that was small, quiet, and secluded after I told her how much I hated beaches because they’re always so busy and crazy and loud. So I went to this beach and, you know, it was my kind of beach. It was really peaceful. It wasn’t crowded or filled with screaming kids. It also had an easy-to-access parking lot. But, even so, I have come to the understanding that I’m just not a beach person. I wish I was. I’d like to be, but I’m not.

I think it’s because it takes so much effort. And driving to the beach (this beach was a 45-minute drive, ugh) is annoying. And then I want to make sure all the effort is worth it so I want to stay a long time, but truthfully, after 3 hours, I’m ready to call it a day.

Kudos to all of you beach people, but I’ll just stick to pools and cruise ships. (And if you’re wondering: no, I never do beach excursions while on a cruise. Good for you, not for me!)

5) Visiting a puppy store is a healing experience.

My mom and I visited a puppy store in July and it was everything I could have ever hoped for. I spent most of my visit snuggling a Victorian bulldog puppy who fell asleep on my chest. There was also a dachshund puppy who was just so wee and cute. My mom and I made the mistake of inquiring about the prices for these two puppies. (Verdict: the bulldog was $3,000 and the dachshund was $1,500.)

BUT JUST LOOK AT THIS:

I’d never buy a puppy from a puppy store, mind you. All of my dogs have been rescues and that’s how I will continue to get dogs. And also, I’d never spend that much money on a dog. (Can you even imagine?!)

But still, visiting the puppy store was so wonderful. I loved spending time with the puppies and snuggling them. They were all so excited and sweet. It was a healing, restorative experience.

6) Lisa Unger lives in the Tampa Bay Area.

Who knew? She’s a favorite of my book club (we’ve read two of her books as a book club, though many members have read several of her novels) and I had no idea she lived in our area. Next step: get her to join us for a book club discussion!

7) I think I like country music.

I’ve always been one of those “I like all music except country” types of people. And then I started watching Nashville and I fell in love with their music. So much so that I bought the first two volumes of their songs on CD. But still, I resisted country music. I liked the music from Nashville, but not, like, actual country music. No way!

Well, on a whim, I decided to listen to the Hot Country playlist on Spotify. And I loved the music. So much! With each new song that played, I found myself adding it to my playlist.

What is it about country music that I love so much? Maybe it’s the storytelling aspect. Maybe it’s the drawls. Maybe it’s the seriously fun, easy-to-sing-along-to songs. All I know is that I’m enjoying this new aspect of my music tastes.

Tell me, what’s something you learned this past month?

Post inspired by Modern Mrs. Darcy