And just like that, my birth month is here again. I can hardly believe how quickly 2019 is unfolding—it feels like we blinked, and half the year disappeared in a blur of moments. But I’m not complaining. If anything, I find myself pausing more often to hold space for quiet gratitude. This year, with all its uncertainty and effort, has been incredibly kind to me.

HELLO JULY

It began with small miracles that felt impossibly big: I passed both the IELTS and CBT in one take—a feat I didn’t take for granted. And shortly after, I received my NMC Decision Letter—with no delays or feedback loops, which felt like divine confirmation that I was, in fact, moving in the right direction. I remember sitting in awe, whispering “Thank You, Lord” again and again, because I knew how much this journey had asked of me—mentally, emotionally, financially. To be here, still standing, still dreaming, is no small thing. It is grace in motion.

As July begins, I feel this gentle pull to be even more intentional. I’ve always been a goal-setter—not because I chase perfection, but because I crave clarity. Goals give me something to anchor to. They remind me of the kind of life I want to build, and the kind of woman I’m becoming. For me, setting goals is less about performance and more about rhythm—an internal compass guiding me through both the chaos and the calm.

So here are the intentions I’m setting for this month—quiet promises to myself, written with hope:

In terms of personal development, I want to stop procrastinating and make fear less of an enemy and more of a teacher. I want to be proactive, not reactive. To read more and often, and to study smart for the OSCE, giving myself grace when things feel overwhelming. On the financial side, I’ll be updating my budget and slowly purchasing essentials for a possible deployment—small but concrete steps toward a future I’ve long envisioned.

I’m also focusing on my physical and mental wellness in ways that feel kind and sustainable: limiting coffee (even if it’s hard), eating more vegetables, and building routines that bring a sense of calm to my mornings and nights. I’ve added daily deep belly breathing to my list, and even something as simple as leaving myself a kind note before bed—to wake up reminded that I’m doing okay. And yes, I will clean my room. Finally.

Emotionally, I want to nurture connection. To reach out to friends I’ve drifted from, to practice empathy instead of judgment, and to remember that everyone carries invisible battles. I want to ask better questions, give honest compliments, and do one small act of kindness each day—even if it’s just showing up for someone with genuine presence. With my fiancé, I want to go deeper—asking reflective questions, nurturing our bond not just with love but with curiosity and shared growth.

For self-growth, I’ll continue learning Norsk on Duolingo (yes, slowly), push myself outside my comfort zone, and try to go one full day without complaining—a small but meaningful challenge in cultivating mindfulness.

In the realm of career, I’ll sit down to map out where I want to be in the next five years. Not as a rigid plan, but as a vision worth working toward. And finally, in terms of digital detox, I’ll be clearing digital clutter—unsubscribing from emails I no longer read, unfollowing accounts that don’t inspire or uplift, and making space for content that feeds my mind and soul. I’ll also update passwords, list my active online accounts, and keep Instagram Stories purposeful—sharing something positive daily to hopefully pass a little light forward.

This list is more than a checklist—it’s a mirror. A way of reminding myself that growth is always within reach, and that it often begins not with grand gestures, but with small, consistent acts of care. Thank you, Nicole Booz, for inspiring this structure through your beautiful post on “100 Monthly Goal Ideas.” I didn’t know how much I needed that spark until it helped me name what I’ve been feeling.

So if you’re reading this, maybe take a moment today to set even just one intentional goal for yourself. It doesn’t have to be ambitious. It just has to be honest. Your future self will thank you. And if you fall short? That’s okay. Growth isn’t linear. It’s layered, lived, and learned in motion.

With excitement, with softness, and with hope for what July may bring—
Anj 💖