In the seventh month of 2026 I celebrated 7 years living in Cologne, Germany with my beloved partner, brought another schoolyear to an end, celebrated Gay PRIDE in Cologne and lots more!
Jazzy July
In the month of July:
- Wrapped up the school year with reporting, celebrations, and goodbyes
- Got an automatic extension on my work visa, but not yet able to renew again because the responsible office is in such demand (Arbeitsvisum Fiktionsbescheinigung)
- Consulted with another government office about what is required for international marriage in Germany
- Dad fell and broke his hip! Partial replacement surgery and recovery, continue to be grateful for modern medicine.
- CSD / Christopher Street Day in Cologne: Dyke March, Parade, Street Fest with friends
- Berlin attack outside of Pride (and demonstrations countrywide after)
- Radical Pride, a delightful noncommercial event with workshops, food, music, and dancing
- Got re-fitted for and placed an order for a new pair of Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes (a birthday gift from Ela’s family)
- Hit by Heat Waves (nearly 40C/100F!), so lots of fans and coolpacks, cold drinks and media, Complain about the heat in German; Heat wave safety; Heat art; and A heatwave heart to heart from leena norms
- Savored hot weather favorites like Cold Brew Coffee, Cioccomenta (Mint and Shaved Chocolate) Ice Cream, Nectarine & Blueberry Müsli, Watermelon
- Wrote in a new color that I’m even more excited about for fall: Diamine Celadon Cat fountain pen ink
Bullet Journaling & Planning
The above YouTube Video is a flip-through of the month in my Seasonal Book including goals, glows, media favorites, and events I recorded along the way.
During July I continued to work in my 2026 Annual Collections, Monthly, and Weekly spreads to plan teaching, travel, and personal events.
I shared my initial July BuJo setup on Instagram: Summery times at the start of my Quarter 3 Bullet Journal and July monthly & weekly spreads ready for adventure. Happy American Independence Day and Cologne CSD / Pride this weekend!
Teaching & Coaching
Gave regular Mindful Movement classes in Balletlicious Ballet Barre+ and Yummy Gentle Yoga online, in-studio Ballet classes, and my last Well-Being elective courses of the school year.
Writing & Publishing Articles
In July I published 4 articles:
- Whimsical Summer Arts & Crafts Camp – Creative Experiences to Treat Your Artist Child: Inspired by several creators here on YouTube and elsewhere, and the childhood sense of long lazy artsy summers I was lucky enough to have, I’ve decided to take a playful approach to this season’s Personal Curriculum and Bucket List. Not to say I will complete all of my desired activities or complete all crafts on the list that I share, but I will be using my Bullet Journal spread as a menu of creative treats all during the warmer seasom. No camping necessary, though if you’ve got outdoorsy times ahead, they could provide a refreshing complement to beloved crafty activities. If you’ve got an hour to dig out a favorite hobby, a weekend afternoon, little bursts of time over the summer or a whole staycation, maybe you’d like to join in the fun!
- The Dancer’s Daily Log – Building a Regular Habit of Growth & Creativity with Writing: Reflective writing has become an integral part of my personal creative practice and I encourage students and clients to create their own simple process of capturing ideas, insights, and information so they can live extraordinary lives. There’s no right way to archive your creative process, just what works for you. If you’re just getting started, keep it simple and try establishing the habit of capturing your intentions and thoughts in short bursts at the start and end of class, sessions, or days. Consider using my prompts as impulses or others that resonate with you.
- Packing List for Teaching Artist’s International Travel – 4 Layers System to Move Lightly and Creatively: Having become a bit of a gearhead while ultralight long-distance backpacking on the Appalachian Trail in the early aughts, I then navigated international travel and a move clear across the globe since. I’ve become fascinated with essential items in demanding conditions and what minimal and creative living look like on the move for me. Over time I’ve also discovered that anticipation can add to enjoyment of my adventures, so I start packing well in advance, devise lists of experiences I’d like to do (and at the end of the trip, next time), items to confirm in advance, and the like. Here you will find my current packing list in video, checklist, and sketchbook form to inspire your adventures.
- The Shrew Unleashed – MFA Thesis – Dance Choreography & Performance details my master’s thesis work, which was a creative feminist response, in poetry and dance, to the misogynistic messages in Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew.” A green show performed by five dancers and a poet in three parts: selected Shakespearean sonnets, an Audience-Participation “Spontaneous Dance Poem,” and “Wonder Woman,” a spoken-word poem, performances for school and public audiences took place March 11-15, 2015 inside and outside the Kennedy Theatre at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Themes in the work include the power of words, empowerment, and social justice.
Filming & Sharing Videos
I published 8 videos to the A Blythe Coach YouTube Channel in July (usually approximately weekly), helping to get aligned with my quarterly and annual goals:
- April Flip & Faves – Review, Reflect, Refresh – Creative Bullet Journal of a Teaching Artist video
- Sweet Summer Inks & Juicy Pens Currently Inked video
- Small Space Canary Fairy Ballet Variation Pt 3 – solo draft – online students’ reference video
- “Wonder Woman” slam poem from “The Shrew Unleashed” choreography video
- Whimsical Summer Arts & Crafts Camp – Playful Analog Creative Adventure to indulge my Artist Child 🏕️ video
- Summer Reading Nostalgic Analog TBR – Seasonal Physical Books video
- Midyear Techo Kaigi – Coach’s Creative Notebook “Ecosystem” 6 month Check In – 2026 Journal Stack video
- May Flip & Faves video
Connecting: Email & Social Media
Email Newsletter
The best way to keep up-to-date on everything I’m coaching, teaching, creating and sharing about as well as work from others that I believe to be of value for fellow creatives is to subscribe to my email newsletter.
I sent 2 Email Newsletters in July, on at the top of the month, “Just & Free July, Dancing in Pride, Heatwave!“ and on the 31st, “Artsy August updates, Summer Crafts Camp whimsy.”
Socials
In July I also posted four times to Instagram. It is my honor to be connected to you there, here, online and in-person!
Creative Challenges
In July my creative “challenges” included taking my elective classes to Self-Defence workshops, video filming, editing and writing, and indulging my Artist Child with Summer Camp-style Arts & Crafts.
Media Musings
My July in reading, listening, and viewing pleasures:
Books & Reading
Books
In July I didn’t finish any books, but was working on a couple novels and adding to my TBR with Queer Book Recs from a Lesbian:
- The Shell Seekers in progress on Kindle, sweeping and only 30% in on my second lending from the library, bought a paperback copy of my own and also listening to the audiobook on Libby.
- The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert is a similar situation, purchased the book after enjoying but not finishing my digital library loan, also dipping into the audiobook version.
Listening Highlights
Favorite things heard over the course of the month go here, such as concerts, songs, pieces of music, playlists, podcasts and more.
Music
Songs & Pieces of Music
Listened to some hot tracks in July, including:
- “Gut Genug” from KITSCHKRIEG feat. BLUMENGARTEN & SHIRIN DAVID is in German, but I’ve heard it has now reached international virality due to the catchy refrain’s popularity on TikTok. “You are good enough” is a good message!
- “When the Rain Begins to Fall” was the unofficial theme of this year’s Pride festivities, it just seemed to be playing everywhere!
Playlists & Albums
- Balletlicious Summertime Dance playlist on YouTube holds my perennial favorites for this time of year
- The NEW Heatwave! playlist on YouTube, was inspired by the extreme temperatures, what else fits melting hot in your mind?
- NEW Rufio’s Tunes playlist on YouTube contains all of the cat’s music, which we sing on the regular
- Wave After Wave – Water, Sea, & Oceanic Sounds playlist on YouTube
- A Pirate’s Life for Me – Music to Be Free playlist on YouTube
- 2026 Plucky Tunes playlist on YouTube is a new one to collect all the best new tracks and classic melodies that come up over the course of the year
Viewing Highlights
A few July sights:
Sports
- Grand Sumo July Tournament highlights from NHK on YouTube
- Looking forward to the new WPBL women’s pro baseball games beginning August 1st ⚾️
Film
- “Masters of the Universe” He-Man film, enjoyed the nostalgic campy comic, humor and self-awareness of it all
Series
- “Worst Ex Ever” True Crime documentary series
- “Star Trek: Next Generation” continues to be our watch to unwind
Questions for Reflection
- What projects are your passion currently?
- What highlights, lowlights, and lessons have you experienced?
- What will you enjoy before the end of the year?
- To what shall I listen next?
Resources for Further Exploration
- Pluck Luck in 2026 – Word / Intention of the Year Article
- Twenty 26s in 2026: Analog Project Planning & Action Tracking, Creative Bullet Journal Style Article
- Say the Magic Words Article
- Analog Journals for Creativity Article
Explorations in dance, coaching, and creative living continue!
Thank you for reading, for being, and for dancing with me, in spirit or in fact.
Take care of yourself and keep moving mindfully, let me know how if I can be of service, would love to see you in my email newsletter or on social media as well.
Blythe Stephens, MFA & Bliss Catalyst they/she
Creator of A Blythe Coach @ablythecoach
dancing through difficulty
taking leaps of faith