July 2026 Mixtape: Reclaiming Power, Energy, and Self-Trust in Action

Jul 17

Happy July! Happy Birthday, America (eh). Happy birth month, Cancers and Leos! Happy month of swimming, popsicles, and bug bites!

This month is about movement after awareness.

June focused on noticing patterns. July is about what happens when you begin responding to those patterns differently in real time.

Not perfectly. Not fully regulated. Just slightly more aligned than before.

This is where self-trust starts to shift from something you think about to something you practice.

You are not becoming someone new. You are learning to act from what you already know more consistently.

Oya by Zin Onyx, Mirror.dream, Yellowfeather

I love the opening line of this one: "Just because I know ya doesn't mean I owe ya." What a great reminder to the people pleaser in us all! We live in a society built on the idea that we owe others, and it conditions many of us into becoming people pleasers.

My other favorite line is, "If you ain't shining, something's gotta be out of alignment." Just like anything else, meaning is in the eye of the observer. For me, I take this as a reminder for congruency.

When we overthink, underfeel, or overly consider Self, Other, or Context, we move into incongruent territory, dulling our shine…our authenticity.

July Visual Aid

A reminder of what congruency looks like when considering Self, Other, and Context.

Over the Influence by Carly Pearl

Before we can do anything, we must regulate. Regulation can be difficult when our dopamine is constantly being pulled out of balance by the world around us.

This song is a lovely reminder to slow down and make sure you are your own influence. Remember, authenticity doesn't need to cost a fortune.

In a world that preys on our insecurities, I hope we all practice finding our self-worth within.

July Book Recommendation

Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke, MD

I am halfway through and loving the way it challenges what society normalizes.

Together, this song and book are an invitation to take inventory of what influences us each day.

More Myself by Phia Nyx

What we say matters.

Often, I challenge the language I use and the language my clients use for this very reason. Many people do not realize how powerful their words are. Your words create your reality. Your brain doesn't understand sarcasm, gossip, or jokes; it takes what you say as truth and begins creating your reality from there.

The English language sets us up for this more than other languages. We "get away" with saying things like, "I am angry" when we really mean, "I feel anger," or "I am dead" when we mean, "Wow, that is funny."

I fall prey to this type of speaking as well, and I know that whatever comes after "I am" is powerful.

This song is all about intentional "I am" statements and mantras. This month, I invite you to notice where you may be unintentionally reinforcing beliefs you don't want and where you can begin supporting the ones you do, simply through the words you choose.

July Mantras

Create a list of true "I am" statements.

Practice saying and writing them regularly.

Observe what changes in your thinking, feelings, and life.

Shift by SAUNDIA

As we practice shifting what we say to match what we mean (congruency), this feels like a fitting opportunity to mention something many people have been talking about lately: the CERN shutdown.

Now, I have no idea what this actually means for us, but I have enjoyed conversations exploring what a timeline shift could mean.

I think this song invites us to focus on the shifts that are within our control, considering Self more, increasing self-care, regulating our bodies, decreasing scrolling, making small choices that move us toward alignment, etc. (possibilities are endless)

July Journal Prompt

If I were living in my best timeline, what would I be thinking, saying, feeling, and doing?

Do It Anyway by Erica Mason

Sometimes we simply need motivation to take ACTION.

As an overthinker, I can get stuck in decision freeze, thinking through every possibility until I become frozen and unsure what I actually want or what to do next.

This song helps me clear my head, reconnect with what I already know to be true, and move anyway.

July Questions for Taking Action

Are my thoughts in alignment with my values?
Are my feelings in alignment with my values?
Are my actions in alignment with my values?

If yes to all three, I am considering Self as best as I can.

Am I considering Other within my circle of control?
Am I considering Context within my circle of control?

If yes to all five, I am as congruent as I can be.

Congruency = Confidence.

**If I learn more later, I can recalibrate and act differently.

July Challenge

Create one small, achievable action plan.

Pick one or two small steps you can take over the next few weeks.

Note: Only choose something you know you can accomplish, and only challenge yourself to complete it a few times each week.

This helps build commitments to yourself, which also builds confidence.

As always, take what resonates and leave the rest.

Though I yearn for my days of burning CDs, I truly want to honor the original tradition of a mixtape: sharing something that mattered to me in hopes that it meets you exactly where you are.

Click each link to listen on YouTube.

Warmly,

Candice