Disabled or not, July is your chance to reset—on your terms. Here’s why the mid-year mark matters more than you think.
Every year on January 9th, I celebrate not just my birthday, but what I like to call my personal New Year. While everyone else crashes into January with gym memberships and fad diets, I’m just opening my goal setting journal.
Because my real halfway point comes in July. It’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset. Especially if you have a physical disability like me.
For those of us navigating life with disabilities, time can feel… different. Everything takes longer—appointments, advocacy, daily routines. So when July hits and people start moaning, “I can’t believe the year is half over!” I follow my own rhythm. My own timeline. My own milestones.
Plot Twist: July Is the New January
July isn’t just summer. It’s checkpoint season. It’s a reminder that while society is shouting about back-to-school sales and pumpkin-flavored nonsense, we get to reclaim this moment for ourselves. You don’t need to wait for January to start fresh. And you don’t need to feel like a failure if you didn’t hit every goal by June.
Most importantly? You don’t have to let non disabled people’s timelines pressure you into rushing your life.
Whether you’ve had a productive six months or a season filled with setbacks, you’re still here. That counts. Now you get to decide what the next six months look like—on your terms.
Shoutout to the Reminder King
Let me take a moment to shout out Richard Alcantara, a fantastic contributor to Audacity Magazine. He’s always nudging me to check in on my goals and revisit those quarterly checklists. And let me tell you—it’s a gentle push that leads to powerful revelations.
So thank you, Richard, for reminding me—and now all of us—to pause and reflect.
👉 Need a kickstart? Read Richard’s piece: Audacious Goal Setting with a Physical Disability.
Proof That You’ve Already Done More Than You Think
When I look back at the first half of this year, I see a mosaic of moments: some empowering, some exhausting. Some brought tears. Some brought belly laughs. That’s life.
But when you live with a physical disability, every single one of those moments carries extra weight and extra meaning.
Maybe you didn’t launch that project, land that job, or finish that course. But maybe you did survive a health scare. Maybe you finally got your wheelchair repaired. Maybe you advocated for yourself in a way that would’ve scared you last year. Maybe you said no. Maybe you said yes. Maybe you just kept going.
That’s not “nothing happened.” That’s everything happened.
Society’s Timeline Isn’t Yours
This time of year, retail starts whispering Halloween. Then Thanksgiving. Then Christmas. Before you know it BOOM! “New year, new you” ads are everywhere.
Don’t fall for it.
You don’t need to rush your goals just because society’s already decorating the aisles. Take a breath. Remember: your halfway point can be your power point.
If you haven’t set any goals this year, guess what? There’s still time. If your original goals need tweaking, tweak away. And if your only goal is to get through the day with dignity and joy, that’s more than valid.
Your Mid-Year Glow-Up Toolkit
Before I did any of this, I turned to my own words in my Substack post, “My Three Words for 2024.” I chose three words at the start of the year to guide my decisions, mindset, and personal growth.
Now that I’m at my halfway point, I’m asking:
Am I living them? Do they still serve me? Do I need to redefine or replace one?
🌟 Want to join me? Read my post, “My Three Words for 2024”, and choose your own three-word compass. You’ll be amazed how grounding it feels.
Here’s what I’m doing this week—and you’re welcome to join:
- Listing five wins from the first half of the year, no matter how big or small.
- Writing three lessons I’ve learned that surprised me.
- Setting three intentions for the next six months. Not resolutions. Intentions—things that feel good to aim for without the pressure of perfection.
- Giving myself grace. Because healing takes time. Progress takes time. Wheelchair life takes time.
“You don’t need January. You don’t need permission. You just need today—and maybe a little audacity.”
Hit Reset. No Apology Required.
Some of you are dealing with pain, fatigue, uncertainty. You might feel like you’re behind. Behind what? Behind who?
If you’ve been comparing your journey to someone else’s highlight reel, stop right now.
You have full permission to hit the reset button. In fact, consider this your glittery invitation:
✉️ “Hey, you. You get to reflect, revise, and reignite your goals starting right now.”
Even if the first half of the year knocked you down—there’s still time to stand up.
What’s Next for Me
The second half of my year includes continuing to heal (hello, hairline shoulder fracture), working on new stories for Audacity Magazine, and finally launching projects I’ve been putting off because—well—life.
I’m choosing to believe the rest of 2025 still holds surprises, success, and softness. I’m claiming it. On my timeline. Not anyone else’s.
Final Thoughts from Your Diva on Wheels
Your halfway point doesn’t have to look like fireworks or finish lines. It can look like reflection. Like resilience. Like choosing to try again.
Whether you’re planning a life overhaul or just making a vow to drink more water, know this:
You’re allowed to start fresh in July. You’re allowed to set your own pace.
You don’t need society’s permission to keep living audaciously. You’ve already got mine.
Time doesn’t run you. Expectations don’t define you. This is your comeback arc—and baby, it’s gonna be audacious.
🫶🏽 These stories take time, heart, and hustle. If you felt seen, hyped, or heard—support the magic.
☕ Buy Me a Coffee to fuel more bold, unapologetic storytelling from the disability frontlines.
📬 Subscribe to the newsletter for more stories that center our voices, our journeys, and our power. Remember that October 1st the newsletter will be monetized for new subscribers. Subscribe
You’re not behind.
You’re right on time.