JUNE 2025 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: A SOFT RESET

June 9, 2025 by iamsummerterry

The month of June represents so much to me. It’s the midway point of the year, the summer, my favorite season begins, and it’s my birthday month! Once I start to realize how close it’s getting to June, I start to think about what I want this new chapter of my life to signify. I love the woman that I am, but I also ask: how can I tap further into the highest version of myself? At almost 43 (June 22nd is my actual birthday), I just want a healthy, soft, easy life by my definition. Not to be in a rush for anything. Not to feel FOMO about anything. And not to seek acceptance from anyone. Instead, I want to be open to the blessings that are for me, to recognize the places and spaces my nervous system feels at ease around, and the comfortability of standing on business for not attending spaces I’ve grown out of no matter how popular and on trend they are in culture. And most of all, how my girl Beyoncé said it, cozy with who I am!

There’s definitely a preparation mode I set into motion going into this month and into Chapter 43. Prayer is something I commit to daily. I’ve had the same study Bible for years, and I use it for meditation along with daily devotionals. My top two favorites are “100 Days of Believing Bigger: A Devotional Journal” and “Strength for Each Day: 365 Devotions to Make Every Day a Great Day.” An honorable mention goes to “Worry Less, Pray More: A Woman’s Devotional Guide to Anxiety-Free Living.” No matter what season you’re in, any of these are a great anchor alongside getting into the Word. This season, I’m using “Strength for Each Day” in a group with other faith-filled, like-minded women and it feels amazing. It’s also important to me to start my day with positive energy and end it with gratitude, so I begin with mirror affirmations and close the day writing everything I’m grateful for in my prayer journal. Grounding myself has made all the difference.

I’ve also been proud of my 36-pound weight loss and have continued my healthy lifestyle: no beef, pork, chicken, processed foods, dairy, fast food, sugar, or alcohol. I stay committed to taking my herbs and vitamins, walking daily, and doing a mix of weight training and Pilates. Another tool I’ve used to tap into the highest version of Summer is creating a dopamine menu. If you’re unfamiliar, a dopamine menu is a curated list of things that bring you joy. For me, that includes:

Manifestation Playlist: Songs like Melo Will’s “It’s Already Mine” and “Iss Just Money,” Chloe x Halle’s “Everywhere,” T.I.’s “Whatever You Like,” and Alicia Myers’ “I Want To Thank You”
Main Character Playlist: Tracks like Beyoncé’s “Cozy” and “I’m That Girl,” Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna’s “This Is What You Came For,” Savannah Cristina’s “Bad Bitch Energy,” “Becoming,” “Confidence,” and “The Divine Feminine,” India Arie’s “Video”
Walking + Listening to YouTubers and Podcasts: My faves include Tiffany Monday, Jessie Woo, and YouTube podcasts like “A Rych Girl’s Glow Up” by Robyn Milan, “Let’s Try This Again” by B. Simone, and “Keep It Positive Sweetie” by Crystal Renee Hayslett.
Doing My Own Gel-X Nail Sets: I’ve fully embraced DIY nail care and built a kit with everything from LED/UV lamps to builder gel, nail art pens, and an array of polish.
Buying Fresh Flowers: Every grocery run includes a bouquet (or two). I keep flowers in the kitchen, living room, and even a mini arrangement in my bedroom. #BlackGirlsLoveFlowers
Making Matcha: My go-to: oat milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and raw organic honey over ice.
Lighting Candles & Incense While Deep Working. Total vibe, especially paired with silence or a lo-fi jazz fireplace playlist.
Skincare: It’s always been a joy, but now I’m even more intentional. I’ve upped my use of retinol, collagen, peptides, and my Spa Sciences NURI LED Thermal Smart Facial Skincare Infuser. It maximizes my skincare products and just feels luxurious. If you’d like me to do a deeper blog post of that let me know!

You don’t have to wait for a big life-changing moment to do your own soft reset. If you’re in a season where you just feel a need for it, go at it. Grab a notebook and write down what a reset looks like for you? Don’t overwhelm yourself, there’s no deadline. There’s no perfect formula. It’s just a feeling. And maybe you already have your own dopamine menu and didn’t realize it. Don’t get caught up on buying big expensive things, these resets are honestly and truly about little rituals that bring you joy! Here’s to a soft reset!

To A Life Styled Right,

Summer Terry

Let’s Get Personal: I’d love to know what’s on your dopamine menu. Let me know in the comments.