Becoming at 44: July Goals, Intentions, and Reset

Walking into chapter 44 quietly, peacefully and with intention.

If I’m honest, I almost didn’t sit down and do this. Life feels loud sometimes, even when it’s quiet. But I know I needed a moment to check in, not just with my goals, but with myself. July is my birthday month, and every year I try to pause and take inventory of where I am. Not just what I want to do, but how I want to feel and how I want to move forward. My word for the month is quiet, pulled straight from Isaiah 32:17–18, which reminds me that peace doesn’t come from performance, it comes from righteousness, from trusting God, and from letting go of everything I wasn’t meant to carry.

So here I am, doing the best I can to reset, set some goals, and get my mind right for the second half of the year.

Where I Am Right Now

As I enter July, I’m feeling hopeful. This is my birthday month. I always celebrate the entire month, even though my actual birthday is on the 30th. It’s also a milestone for me physically. I’m hitting the one-year mark since my hysterectomy and gallbladder surgery, and I feel amazing. I haven’t touched a single cup of ice since that surgery, and if you know, you know. That alone reminds me how far I’ve come.

What’s been sitting heavy on my heart lately is the quiet but constant struggle of people-pleasing. I know that God is calling me to live and lead more freely, but I haven’t fully stepped into that space yet. It’s hard to break away from wanting others to be okay with who you’re becoming, but I also know I can’t carry that with me and do what I’ve been called to do.

This month, I’m most looking forward to deepening my connection with my kids. We’re already close, but they’re growing and changing right in front of me. I want to take more pictures, ask more intentional questions, and really get to know who they’re becoming, not just as my children, but as people. I’m ready to lean into that role of being a guiding presence in their development, while also giving myself the care and space I need.

This Month’s Intentions

The word that keeps coming to mind for July is life. I want to lean into what it means to really live, not just function or survive, but to be present, aware, and open.

This month, I want less talking and less overthinking. I’ve spent enough time trying to explain myself, trying to figure everything out. I want to quiet that part of me and just move with intention.

What I want more of is simple: to show up. I want to be active, present, and fully engaged in the life I already have. That includes showing up for myself, my kids, and the things I’ve been called to do.

I’m intentionally choosing not to stress over what I feel I lack. Whether it’s help, money, resources, or support. I’m not giving my energy to that this month. Instead of focusing on what’s missing, I’m choosing to see what’s already here. I want to stop obsessing over the gaps and start living in the fullness of what’s already mine.

Personal Goals (Health, Mind, Body, and Peace)

This month, I’m being intentional about how I care for my body. I had a moment recently… I stood up and stretched, and it gave me SO MUCH life! That’s when I realized just how little I’ve been moving. So for July, I’m committing to stretching daily and walking Monday through Friday. I’m also pushing myself to drink more water and try out an OMAD (One Meal A Day) fast, not for restriction but to reset my body and bring discipline back to the way I nourish myself.

For my mental wellness, I’m committing to journaling every single day. I want to feel my feelings fully, not brush past them or stuff them down. My husband and I were just talking about how raw and honest the Book of Psalms is and how it’s a reminder that God isn’t afraid of our emotions. This month, I want to follow that lead and stop pretending. I want to live honestly and give myself space to acknowledge what I feel and why.

I’m also revisiting something I started a while back, the book To Know Him by Name by Rabbi Kurt A. Snyder. It’s one of those books that gently pulls you deeper into who God really is, not just as a provider or protector, but through the actual names He reveals about Himself in scripture. Each chapter focuses on a different name of God, like Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide), El Shaddai (God Almighty), and Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Who Heals), not just the meaning, but the heart behind it. It breaks down the Hebrew roots, where each name appears in the Bible, and how understanding it can impact the way you pray, trust, and walk through life.

I got halfway through the physical copy and then lost it somewhere in the house, so I downloaded the audiobook on Audible. My goal is to finish it by the end of July. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s name isn’t just a title, it’s a promise. If you want to dig deeper into your relationship with God and learn more about who He is on a personal level, this book is worth the read. Here’s the Amazon link if you want to check it out.

Faith and Finances Reset

This month, the word God has given me is quiet, and the scripture I’m holding close is Isaiah 32:17–18.

“The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”

This scripture reminds me that peace isn’t something I earn, it’s the result of trusting God, staying in alignment, and living from a place of righteousness.

When it comes to our finances and home, I’ve been sitting with the reminder that God (Jehovah Jireh) is my provider. I don’t have to strive. I just need to steward what He’s already given me. I’m praying for the faith to believe that every need is already met, even before I realize it.

My money-saving focus this month is simple:

• Track all daily spending outside of our regular bills

• See how many no-spend days I can stick to

• Only purchase sale or discounted items

• Save $200 for our Christmas fund

To stay accountable, I’ll be documenting my no-spend journey on TikTok. I want to truly see where our money goes and get ahead of the financial pressure before the holidays roll around.

I’ve started following more frugal-minded content creators, women who share tips on couponing, stockpiling, and smart buying. This month, I’m committing to daily check-ins, price comparisons, and putting in the effort to search for the best deals before I buy anything.

And lastly, I’m believing God for a decluttered home, especially the garage, so I can begin canning. I’m also praying for a heart shift, to be more generous, even when I don’t have much to give financially. I want to give my time, my presence, and my gifts without expecting anything back.

Home + Homemaking Goals

The garage and pantry are my two focus areas this month. The garage has become a catch-all space, and things have been sitting untouched for far too long. It’s time to clear it out and bring order back, especially because I want to begin canning soon and need that space to be usable. The pantry also needs some fresh organizing, especially with the summer food rotation in full swing.

When it comes to stocking up, I’m focusing on essentials:

• Cleaning and laundry products

• Canned goods and boxed foods

• Paper towels

• School supplies

• Soap, toothpaste, and toiletries

I’m not trying to overstock, but I do want to grab a little extra here and there when things go on sale.

My homemaking approach this month is slow and steady, room by room, in small pockets of time. I don’t need to do it all at once, just consistently.

Creative + Business Goals

This month I’m planning to launch two things that have been on my heart:

• My new sticker line in the Etsy shop

• My 31 Days of Joy devotion

For Etsy, I’m aiming to upload three listings per week, and four if the week flows just right.

Creatively, I’m not trying to force content. I want to document life, not stage it. Whether it’s a moment in the store, something I’m doing at home, or a quiet thought in the car, if I feel led to share, I will.

Across platforms (YouTube, TikTok, here on Substack, Facebook), I want to show up in a way that’s relatable and real. Not preachy. Not perfect. Just me. I want women to feel like they’re not alone, that someone else gets what it means to live on one income, make sacrifices, and trust God through it all.

This month, I’m returning to going live more often. I’m not batch-recording content because I prefer real-time. I’ll also use stories more to stay connected without pressure.

And most of all? I’m choosing to show up confidently, as I am, gray hair, no makeup, no filters. Just real life, real faith, and whatever God puts on my heart to share.

Birthday Month Thoughts

This birthday hits different. I’ve let go of hurt I never thought I’d release. Quietly, I laid down unforgiveness. I’ve shifted my focus toward self-development, drawing closer to God, and creating a life that feels right, not just looks good.

I’m no longer trying to hold on to relationships that aren’t mutual. I’ve let go of needing to be understood by everyone, even family. That release has brought so much clarity.

This year, I want freedom. I want to see new places, do new things, and experience what I’ve never had space for in the past 44 years. Spiritually, emotionally, creatively, I’m showing up with more clarity and less noise.

I’m becoming a woman who’s not trying to be liked. The more I stop caring what others think, the more peace I have. I’m not matching pressure anymore, I’m matching energy, and I’m keeping mine protected.

And more than anything, I’m embracing freedom in Christ. The freedom to love what I love, dream the way I dream, and be the woman God created me to be. Even if it doesn’t fit in anyone else’s box.

Grace Notes + Final Thoughts

If I could wrap up everything I’m feeling and planning for this month, it would come down to one word: grace. I’m giving myself permission to not rush, not overcommit, and not shrink. I’m learning that rest is not something I earn, it’s something I receive.

I don’t have all the answers. I’m not going to get everything right. But I am going to keep showing up… in my home, in my motherhood, in my creative work, and in my faith and with an open heart and a clear focus. I want this month to reflect what matters: peace over performance, presence over perfection, and purpose over pressure.

Here’s to this month being full of small wins, honest reflection, sweet surprises, and the quiet kind of joy that can’t be shaken.