I think with last month’s them and July’s theme, you can see the direction I am going with some of these monthly challenges.
Let’s be real — you need to have some self care. You have to take care of yourself or everything else around you can be highly affected. And that’s no good for anybody, right?
How you do self care, however, is totally different per person. I’ve tried a wide variety of things. And I’m slow with some things, but eventually they will get done.
So how do you see self care?
One of my big ways is, of course, Harper. But some of them she just happens to be around me if I am doing other things. I haven’t captured everything I enjoy for self care here, but I have a good grouping.
There’s definitely other things — such as LEGO, or cooking on my Blackstone etc., that I could have had photos of. But, here are the ones I choose.
I look forward to seeing what you all have chosen as maybe there’s something I could add to my own self-care setup.
We’re always trying to keep ourself in a good place after all, right?
So let’s see how you take care of yourself and what you do to make yourself feel whole.
Anyway, onward. Here’s my five for June!
1. Reading
When I was younger, I read a ton. I still love to read, but I don’t do it enough. I’m trying to do it more and need to maybe start reading a book or two a month. Especially while the weather is good and I can sit outside to do it.
2. Do things
Seems simple, right? This month, a neighboring town held their bicentennial parade. I waffled about going. Finally, me and Harper and my mother decided to go. I’m glad I did. It was a good, old-fashioned parade. So many tractors. Shockingly, not a lot of fire trucks. BUT, they did have a small group of Philadelphia Mummers, who then performed for a bit in the park after. Of course I needed to get a photo of them with Harper! But trying to get out and doing things is a great bit of self care.
3. Friday nights in the community
A few years ago, I felt I needed to try and give back and volunteer a little. I’ve volunteered for our annual Fair on the Square for a couple of years and it’s been nice. I always end the night with Harper there and listening to the music. This was the final Friday in July (this event has been every Friday in July for 50+ years).
4. Painting rocks
I’m not much of an artist, but one of the things I’m doing around the house is making a rock garden. I’ve had friends and their kids painting rocks, but I am working on my own. This is really good for the mind when I do it, so self care 101!
5. Explore
Self care can be in your back yard. Sometimes it’s nice to take Harper out and just find a stream or something to wander and explore in. She sure does love it.
There’s my five for self care! Let’s see what you came up with! If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.
And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).
Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully ithere.
** CHALLENGE CHANGE **
From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.
That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.
So, below is the linkup for Jult. Make sure you drop your link there.
OK, so it’s time to keep on moving! And our theme for the month? What makes me smile. Have some fun! Remember to come back on (hopefully) September 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month! I’ve set a calendar reminder for me, so let’s see if that works!
Photo Blogging Challenge: July 2025 results
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook!
What a great mix of self care activities: Being creative, exploring, being involved in your community, reading and “doing things” as you call it. They are all so important, and I am glad you and Harper are doing them.
Loved this theme, thank you for bringing it up!
I love all the things you’ve shown for self care! This was a hard one for me in July. Life is too busy right now and I need to slow down….just don’t know how to do that!
I figured Harper would feature front and center in your self-care post and you didn’t disappoint! It seems like you’re having a pretty good summer, staying active, connected and creative. I appreciated this theme, as it made me read up on what self-care really is (not just the sometimes nonsense tagged with #selfcare on social media). Looking forward to a photo of your rock garden one day.
That dog can read!!! 🙂
I see that you and I have some similar self care routines.