What's Saving My Life Right Now - July 2025
- Mandy Drake
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Several authors that I follow pause several times a year and build a 'What's Saving My Life Right Now' list. These lists allow for a simple acknowledgement of what brings joy, relief and fun in life for them in this season.
I picked up the practice several years back and find it so helpful to purposely pause and identify these things for myself!
There are not rules here, simply logging things that are helping me win my days and love life. Maybe these things help you or maybe they remind you about the things that may be saving your life right now too.
While it's summer, you won't find a lot of summer play items on this list (for now). It's a season where every hour is scheduled and I have to be very purposeful in how that time is spent. It's just my season right now.
If you scroll to the bottom, I have many other lists linked that include more purposeful fun, if you are looking for a different spin on these lists.
My energy this season has been different than in other seasons. The exploring and learning is focused differently but the intentionality continues so here's what has been saving my life:
Exploring AI - It might seem unusual to include this on my list of life-saving activities, but it's something fascinating I'm currently engaged in. I'm not utilizing a wide range of tools yet, but I'm learning about prompting and using AI to generate information that enhances my work. Several times daily, I ask myself, "Is there another way to do this?" It's both challenging and enjoyable to discover its capabilities.
There are very few issues that a good workout can't fix - This, for sure. Currently, my workouts vary depending on my schedule. They include treadmill sessions, walks or runs in my neighborhood, weightlifting with Lance, and sauna time. Regardless of what's troubling me, sweating it out offers a chance to process things and gain some perspective. I shouldn't need a reminder of this, but occasionally I do.
The highs of running my business and embracing my role - I own a small technology problem-solving business. I help solve business problems with technology, process and strategic solutions. I work with small businesses, nonprofits and larger entities. I have been working in this space for my entire career and decided to start my business in 2022.
I wear all the hats but recently, I have been focused on the sales hat. I have had more sales conversations lately and it's been the easiest thing for me to do - talk about this work that I love. I made it out to be big and scary but instead, it has been amazing. I sold the work (which was fantastic) but the whole thing gave me such a high. I loved it and am learning more about this part of my role as business owner.
I previously performed the very same tasks working for consulting firms, where I had the support of account managers, sales teams, administrative staff, and others. However, now I handle all this work on my own. While it can be overwhelming at times, I have realized over the three years in my role that I am capable of managing it. This has saved my life.
My 3 Daily Things List - There are many variations on this idea. Here is mine.
Each morning, I identify 3 things for that day that will help me move the needle in my work - like, really move it forward. These things aren't passive things. This list contains actionable, necessary tasks that get me a step forward on major goals. It's my attempt to break down large goals but also be constantly taking action toward it.
Some days my list may include a major task for work but it also may include a major task for my family. Because I run a business and a household, all the things are up for consideration as to where I am trying to move the needle for the day.
Creating and driving to complete this list is the way that I determine if I win the day. My day may include 150 other tasks but completing these 3 tasks are how I keep momentum where it truly matters.
Putting myself in bigger rooms - I'm going to paraphrase a Michael Dell quote but here's the meat of it, "If you are the smartest person in the room, find a different room." He's talking about growing through relationships. I realize that I have a lot to learn and as I move to the next stage of parenting or business ownership or spiritual growth, I need to seek out those who do more and know more.
I'm constantly seeking the different, bigger rooms with people who I can connect with and learn from. I'm wired to continue to grow and that requires looking for different rooms with new opportunities. Being intentional with this effort though, requires effort and time. Many days, that effort ends up as one of my daily 3 tasks, because it is that important.
Finding community - This is directly related to the item above. While I am wired to constantly seek the bigger rooms, I truly value when I find others who value growth. When I can skip some of the explanations and find others who match my energy, I feel truly understood. Finding more of my people has been so rewarding. I wish that for everyone.
Spotify's DJ X - I know, another Spotify plug? There is a new-ish AI feature within Spotify that I am using constantly in order to match a playlist to my need. It offers songs for a mood or purpose based on my previous listening habits. It also peppers in new songs that I would never take the time to seek out, again, based on other music that I like.
Last week, it kicked off a session with what it called my "personal hype song". Thank you DJ X, for figuring that out for me and also, it worked.
Scheduled summer afternoons with my boys - I have scheduled several Friday afternoons away from work where I pick up my kids from whatever camp or activity they are doing and we go have time together. I'm not great at slowing down and savoring summer time with them right now, so I schedule it.
The things saving my life are just my things. Consider compiling your own 'what's saving my life right now' list just for you or share it with a friend for another way to connect.
This small gratitude practice does wonders for me and I love logging it here so I can look back at points in time to see what was saving my life.
Maybe what's saving your life right now, friend, might help someone else!
Check out previous lists from this last year:
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