Guten Tag, Reader,

I am just getting off the river as this hits your inbox, so I am sharing a letter from two years ago that has not lost any of its relevance.

Two things before you get to read that gem, though:

Moss Hour, my virtual Forest Bathing Gathering formerly known as "Backyard Baths," is happening on July 7. I'd love it if you dropped in.

The Solstice is nearing, and if you are in Missoula, please join me at Waterworks Hill for a Mindful Saunter on June 20, 6-7:30 p.m. The details are here. If the registration process is too cumbersome, simply call (406) 721-7275.

And now, on with the Re-Joy Letter...

There are a few things that happen each year around this time:

• July arrives.
• The days are getting shorter again.
• People seem surprised that July is here and that the days are getting shorter again.
• Motivational coaches on the internet are pestering people about the half-year mark, missed goals, passed opportunities, and failed efforts to create new habits.

Mind you, 'motivational coaches' is what they call themselves, and I am sure their methods motivate many people.

Not me.

But that's not what the following little rant will be about. (I have written about my resistance to goal setting; you can read that letter here.)

Many coaches would probably also refrain from ranting in their newsletters and tell you that anger is an unhealthy emotion. I am not that kind of coach, either, so here we go…

[rant mode: on]

I probably should have known better than to open the email with the subject line "The Mid-Year Reset." I probably should have stopped reading when the first paragraph contained all the buzzwords: time management, harnessing opportunities, and daily exercise.

I MOST DEFINITELY should have clicked the link labeled 'compassionate review' rather than the one I did click labeled 'mindset management.' But you know, sometimes my brain wants a little drama, and then it makes me bite into a lemon or click on things.

And the brain drama climaxed when I arrived at the paragraph where the author suggested goal ideas for the next six months. The first item on the physical health list was: 'lose X pounds' (followed by 'fit into size X trousers').

Why, in 2023, is this boring stuff still at the top of the list for physical health goals for all the people? Why are we still insisting that smaller sizes are healthier by default? Why are women still spreading this patriarchal nonsense?

And then… under mental health goals, the author suggested 'be less anxious in X situations' as if constantly criticizing ourselves for having the 'wrong' body shape and wearing too large of a size wasn't a source of that anxiety (and as if we could just flip an anxiety on/off-switch).

[rant mode: off]

Listen, I stand by the one resolution I want you to make and keep: Stop hurting your own feelings. And by the idea of not breaking the promises you make yourself.

And I certainly believe in checking in with yourself about all kinds of stuff:

• Did you have a word for the year? How did it guide you? Or do you want a new one?
• Are you making enough time and joy for yourself?
• Have you been a good best friend to yourself?
• Can you let go of some goals that only cause you shame and anxiety?

I'd love to know if you have a good half-year journaling prompt or tarot spread. Simply reply to this email.

Another 'relaxing, meditative practice' I want to lay onto your heart, as the Germans say:

Backyard Baths

• Hour-long adaptations of forest bathing
• Transforming your backyard into a place to be rather than a thing to do.
• No need to register; simply dial-in with your phone

​Learn more here [redirected to the 2025 version: Moss Hour]

I will see you back here in two weeks. If you liked this letter, please forward it to a friend.

Always on your side, truly,

p.s. If you found something valuable in today's letter, why not buy me a coffee? I am keeping my writing AI-free, which means a lot of creativity (and time) goes into it. You can leave a tip for me here.