They say a melody sounds like a memory (well, Eric Church does!), and over the last 30 days, my world has certainly been full of both. When I first launched this 365 challenge back on the 10th of September, choosing one song and one quote every single day seemed like a really good idea – but also a slightly daunting mountain to climb.
Now that I’ve officially hit the one-month mark, I’m sitting down with a nice cup of tea to look back at the songs that moved me, the words that made me pause, and the unexpected lessons I’ve learned along the way.
All or Nothing
To be honest, I’m a bit of a rebel when it comes to routine. Left to my own devices, I tend to be very “all or nothing.” However, putting this challenge out into the world means I can’t just wait for inspiration to strike anymore. I have to show up every single day, even on the tired days (and there have been quite a few of them this week). That requires a level of daily discipline I didn’t realise I had.
It has taken a fair bit of time to find the right daily rhythm and get organised so that creating and posting feels smooth rather than stressful. Finding a much more efficient way to manage my files and designs has been a huge learning curve. It’s been incredibly fun finding and creating entirely new ways of doing things, and keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
With everything finally running smoothly, the real surprise has been how this daily commitment has impacted my life away from the computer screen. I’m not sure if it’s simply because I’m forcing myself to take more time out, or because I’m listening to far more music than I normally would – which I didn’t think was possible, but is always a good thing – but the shift in my mood and overall positivity has completely caught me off guard.
It has honestly become a wonderful daily dose of feel-good energy. I feel so much more positive, less stressed, and incredibly focused. I’ve discovered a genuine joy in the simple act of choosing the music, tracking down the quotes, and getting creative with the graphics. It’s amazing what a dose of daily inspiration can do.
My Favourite Things
Looking back over the last 30 days, if I had to pick just one standout quote and one defining song that truly captured the heart of this first month, it would have to be these two.
For the quote, it’s Kenny Chesney’s poignant lyrics: “Mama says he can’t remember, daddy thinks that he still can. I’m going back to see him while he still knows who I am.” This completely brought me to tears. It is a subject that is deeply close to my heart, and sharing it was really hard but something that was also really important to me.
And for the song, Linda Ronstadt’s A Different Drum. Her powerful voice and those defiant lyrics always give me a massive lift right when I need it, as it’s such a high energy song.
Unwritten
Hitting this 30-day milestone is a great feeling, but it is just the beginning of the journey. This first month has been all about planning, getting ahead, and working out a solid routine. Now that the daily process is sorted, I can finally move on from the initial planning stage.
I am really looking forward to focusing on the creative side of the challenge and starting work on some brand-new projects that expand on this journey.
So, as I finish my tea and look towards the next 30 days, I’m really grateful for how this first month has gone. Thank you so much for following along with me for these first 30 days. Here’s to the next melody, the next memory, and whatever comes next!
Follow the Journey
Watch the Daily Updates: Catch my quick daily song over on my YouTube Shorts.
Listen Along: Stream the growing 365 Challenge Playlist, or browse the Blog Songs Playlist to hear every song I’ve ever featured on the blog.
