A Month Like June

June has always felt like a soft pause in the year. It sits right in the middle neither the beginning nor the end. Not as loud as January with its resolutions, or as festive as December with all its gatherings and lights. June is quieter, warmer and slower. And for me this year, it became a month of small realizations.

This June, I had more quiet days than usual. I didn’t fill every moment with plans. I let myself rest. I spent time walking, writing, watching movies, and sleeping. That kind of stillness can be both comforting and enjoying and I welcomed it.

One special part of June for me was my birthday. I actually celebrated it a day early by trying out a few different places to eat. Belgian Waffles for something sweet and cozy, Koufu’s Fortune Foods for a warm meal, and Buffalo Brad’s Wings for a spicy, fun treat. It wasn’t that expensive, but it felt nice to treat myself in small, satisfying ways.

Then on the day itself, it came and went in a calm, simple way. Not loud, not full of surprises, just soft moments, a few kind greetings, and a lot of reflection. I used to think birthdays had to be full of excitement to matter, but this June reminded me that even quiet celebrations count.

I also noticed how nature changes in June. The leaves are greener and fuller. The days last longer, and the weather has been so inconsistent. There’s something nice about noticing these little things. Like how the sunlight comes through the window or the smell of rain at night and I’ve started to enjoy these small moments more.

June feels slower in a good way. It makes you want to pause and take a deep breath and relax. Even regular days feel a bit more peaceful. Maybe it’s the warm air or the quiet mornings, but something about this month reminds me to slow down and enjoy what’s around me.

This month reminded me of the value of slowing down. Of checking in with myself. Of accepting where I am, without pressure to always be “doing” something big. And in that pause, I found peace. I found gratitude for the small things, like a message from a friend, a sweet treat, or a moment of laughter that comes unexpectedly.

As June closes, I carry with me its gentle lessons that not all growth is loud, that stillness is not the same as being stuck, that it’s okay to feel deeply, even quietly. A big thanks to June, for holding space for all of it, for the calm, the feelings, the reminders