The Mid-Summer Check-In: Permission to Pause, Play, or Pivot

Mid-July always feels like the soft middle of the year — the heat has set in, time is flying, and somewhere between fun plans and real life, you may find yourself quietly wondering:

How is this summer really going for me?

If you’ve been moving fast, keeping up, pouring into everything and everyone… this is your invitation to pause. To take inventory. To ask:

— Am I full of joy or just full of busyness?

— What do I need more of right now — rest, adventure, connection, calm?

— Have I checked in with myself lately — really checked in?

I know these questions because I’ve asked them, too. I’ve had summers where I tried to do it all and ended up burned out by August. And I’ve had seasons where I slowed down, listened in, and found peace I didn’t know I needed.

Spoiler alert: the slower ones felt better. More real. More me.

Here’s your mid-summer permission slip:

✨ You’re allowed to shift.

✨ You’re allowed to rest.

✨ You’re allowed to change the plan.

✨ You’re allowed to enjoy what you’ve created — without rushing to the next thing.

This season isn’t a deadline. It’s a chapter. And no matter where you are in your story, it’s worth honoring.

So whether you’re headed on vacation, deep in work, or somewhere in between — take this as your nudge to reflect, reset, and remind yourself that your pace is perfect. There’s no one right way to do summer. There’s just your way.

That’s the heart behind the “Smiles Required Beyond This Point” crew — a little wearable reminder to lead with joy, wherever you’re headed next.

If this post made you take a deep breath, we’d love for you to share it with someone else who could use a mid-summer pause. You can also tag us on Instagram @dailymosmiles with how you’re making this season your own.

Keep looking toward the bright side — we’ve got you.