July 2025 Life Updates

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Hi friends! Welcome back to another monthly life update for July 2025! So what have Ashy, Benji, and Luke been up to this month?

#lifeupdates #lifestyle

Previous 2025 Life Updates:

• January 2025 Life Updates (9 Min Read)

• February 2025 Life Updates (9 Min Read)

• March 2025 Life Updates (6 Min Read)

• April 2025 Life Updates (5 Min Read)

• May 2025 Life Updates (5 Min Read)

• June 2025 Life Updates (5 Min Read)

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July 2025 Life Updates

• I'm still doing my EMDR therapy, but my psychologist has suggested slowing it down a little due to the symptoms I've been getting (migraines, irritability, fatigue, etc.). I think it's quite a long process to go through all the trauma memories.

• We had a corgi meet-up in Coburg one Sunday afternoon, which was so fun. Benji made friends with a 5-year-old corgi called Nimbus, who was a bit shy. Benji is very kind when he notices a dog that's not always included; he tends to gravitate towards them. We were also meant to go to one on the 26th, but the weather was so awful we didn't take Benji.

• Luke went to a Trivia Night in Ascot Vale with some of his ex-workmates from a previous job. I think they came last?

• I got a haircut (just a tone and cut). I think I'm getting one more tone and then my hairdresser is going to dye it before we go to NZ. It's good to dye it less so that the hair is healthier, and my scalp psoriasis has time to heal.

• We've been exploring more markets and trying to buy locally where we can. We went to Coburg Farmer's Market, where you can take doggos, but we think it was a bit overwhelming for Benji, and we've also shopped at Coburg Market a bit. The only issue with this market is that it's inside, so it can get quite hot, and the fruit doesn't always last as long.

• Benji had a check-up at the vet he's in good health, but he didn't like this new vet. He is doing well with his Antinol supplements, but we're thinking of getting him some injections to help with his hip issues, too. It's not urgent at least.

• One of Luke's friends celebrated his 29th birthday at Moon Dog Wild West in Footscray. I missed it due to being sick.

• Speaking of being sick, I really struggled with a winter cold, insomnia, and back pain this month. I'm trying to diversify my exercise and do a bit more to help.

• The YouTube videos I put out are as follows: Creepypasta Culture: Reinventing the Urban Legend Online // 10 Scary Places You Can Visit (If You Dare). I want to do more, but I'm a bit stuck with the direction it's going in at the moment. I'm not sure if people want vlogs or the sociology content.

• The Freaky Friday Files I put out this month are as follows: Disturbing Wikipedia Pages You Shouldn't Read at Night Part 1 // Disturbing Wikipedia Pages You Shouldn't Read at Night Part 2 // Signs Your House is Haunted (or maybe it's CO poisoning).

• TV Shows that Luke and I have been watching are pretty much the same as last month. and we're almost caught up on everything, so recs welcome!

• TV Shows that I have been watching are Morning Wars/The Morning Show, Once Upon a True Crime, and The Backside of Television (which is about the history of Australian TV). I also watched one of Wil Anderson's Stand Up Specials - Wilogical, and it was SOOOO funny and clever. I need more comedy in my life.

• The books that I have read this month are as follows: 1. The Lost Bookshop - Evie Woods 2. Never Lie - Freida McFadden 3. The Shower Habit - Stephanie Ewing 4. How to K*ll Men and Get Away With It - Katy Brent 5. Don't Let Her Stay - Nicola Sanders You can read my book reviews "here". I've also started rating the books out of 10, and I think I was a bit more critical this month than I have been in the past.

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• We completed our tax returns, which was very hard with an ABN and being self-employed. Hopefully, next year it's a bit easier.

• It was my Dad's birthday on the 25th.

• Luke and I had a "Self-Care" Saturday where we did face masks and chilled out.

• We've been doing lots of walking down at the creek as normal.

• My 2nd blog - Eats with Ash got monetised wooo! You can check it out "here".

• I tried making Dulce De Leche Ice Cream, and it didn't go as planned - it still tasted good at least. The recipe is "here".

• We tried the new Strawberry TimTams, and Luke also found the NZ bikkies - Mallowpuffs at Coles. SO YUM! We also found a rip-off of Mallowpuffs at Aldi (they are also made in NZ, weirdly).

• We went to the Woodlands Historic Park and found random stick structures. We didn't see many animals, though - most likely because it was freezing when we went.

• One Thursday night, we had a knock at the door from a tradie who said we had a gas leak. He turned the gas off, then fixed it. We emailed our PM about it, who wasn't notified, so we're hoping everything is okay. We have hot water, and our stove top works. We smelt gas for a few days after, but it seems to have gone away now. I'm hoping it's all good.

• We got pizza from Itaco Pizza one night.

• We caught up with a few of my friends for dinner and drinks in the city. We went to Yarra Botanica - which has yummy food. And we also went to Gin Palace - a new bar for me and Luke, but we really liked it. A bit on the pricier side, but really yummy.

• I've also been having lots of intrusive thoughts, like feeling like people hate me for no reason or that they don't want to interact with me. It's a dumb feeling. I hate it after one corgi meet-up one day, where I was trying to talk to people or smile at them. Maybe I'm the problem lol. I definitely have a lot of anxiety and wish I didn't.

• I finally got a weighted blanket - I just ordered it, so I'm excited to try that out, and I also finally got cases for my iPad and Kindle. It's meant to be coming later this week.

• Luke's doing a bit more cricket stuff leading up to the start of the season - lots of meetings and whatnot.

• We spent time at the Strathmore dog park AND the Glenroy dog park. The Glenroy one will always be Benji's favourite.

• We watched the movie "Spy" and omg, it was SOOOO funny. I really liked Jason Statham's character, even though he was very annoying, hahah. I need to watch more movies. Luke just told me he hasn't seen the first Devil Wears Prada, so we need to watch that before the 2nd one comes out.

• I tried the new "Big Arch" burger from Maccas. It was okay. It just feels like a smoky Big Mac, but the Big Mac is WAAAY better. Probably won't be getting it again. But it was good for my iron levels LOL.

• We're in the midst of planning our 2026 summer Canada trip to visit my pen pal and spend time in Vancouver. It'll probably only be about 2 weeks as I get separation anxiety away from Benji, haha. I hope I can get some awesome photos.

Things we have to look forward to in August are that Luke is doing a fun run in Echuca, so I'll get a weekend to myself, and we need to get our butts down to Lightscape before it ends on the 10th of August, and I'm very excited to watch The Logies & the Masterchef finale. We also just got an email about our 6-monthly routine inspection, so I'm going to be very glad when that's over, as we have lots of deep cleaning to do. I also need to go back to the doctor's and make an effort to leave the house more. I'm hoping it will be easier as the weather starts to warm up.

Thank you for reading!

Ash x

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