I sit — wanting to write, wanting to get something I’ve already written ready to publish — and I can’t because my mind will only think about the things I should be doing instead.
There’s real estate work to be done — a roof quote to get, documents to send, appointments to schedule.
There’s house work to be done — it turns out the dishwasher doesn’t load itself and these boxes won’t unpack themselves either.
Continue reading
I sat at home alone on a Saturday morning and tears filled my eyes. At first, I wasn’t even sure why I was crying. After a little more exploration, I was quick to realize that it was all catching up with me.
In the last 30 days, I’ve moved from a house that healed me to a new place with an entirely different way of life. At the old house, we picked up a lot of Johnny’s Pizza. At the new one, there are no quick trips to the store and we cook almost every meal. At the old house, I worked from home all hours of the day. At the new house, cell service is sparse.
Continue reading
I read a post from a fellow hope*writer about finding our inner child during this crazy time, and it stayed with me all day. I found myself asking silent questions in my mind like:
What did I enjoy doing as a kid?
What do I do for fun now?
Do I even know how to have pure, unadulterated fun?
Continue reading
I changed my name on facebook and then I watched as so many people clicked and commented in support. I watched as I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders and an extra pep in my step. I was actually sitting on the couch, but you know what I mean.
I felt like I had control of something again. I didn’t feel like I closed the door on a chapter. I felt like I busted through and slammed it shut. Sure, I still have to figure out the business side of things and I’ll do that eventually. This one small step felt GIGANTIC and gave me back some power over my life.
Continue reading
I stare out that big picture window that I’ve been looking out every morning for almost a year. It takes up over half of the living room wall and extends basically from the floor to the ceiling. Big windows are one of the things that speak to my soul. I’m the kind of person who can’t be home without the blinds and shades open. I must allow the outside in.
Continue reading
What will I stop apologizing for?
I typed this question into the notes on my phone as I sat and listened in a Strength Finders training. I originally intended this to be more about strengths and personality and the basic characteristics of how we’re wired. Over the next few weeks it grew into something much more broad.
Continue reading
I’ve thought a lot about what I’d share here on the blog this week. I’ve been working to keep an editorial calendar, like a big girl writer would — a calendar where I plan out what I share and have everything ready to go in advance. That way, when life gets busy like this past weekend, I won’t neglect this work.
Continue reading
I didn’t intend to be a spokesperson for simple living this holiday season. It just sort of happened. I often share my own journey and discoveries online with my community and this year, as I settled in to a simpler way of doing things, I accidentally encouraged other women to do the same.
It wasn’t an easy transition. It was intentional. When I felt the holiday stress and anxiety bubbling up inside, I forcefully pushed it away. It was an intentional decision everyday to just be present in the moment and to do my best for that day.
Continue reading
One of the main concepts that I’ve thought back on from the Hope*Writers Conference, came from co-founder Gary Morland. He told the story of baking a wonderful dinner for your friends and pulling it from the oven. The smell fills the room and you’re so proud of the masterpiece that you’ve created in your kitchen. Then, you look around and wonder where your friends are. Why aren’t they here to eat your magnificent dinner? They’re not here, because you didn’t invite them.
I’ve had so many conversations about goals and dreams and what’s next lately. I’ve had a harder time answering some of these questions than I’d like. One of the things that I’ve realized is that I’ve done a lot of waiting. Waiting on ideas. Waiting on the right time. Waiting on guidance or inspiration. When I look at some of the big things I want to do with my life, I quickly realize that there’s no reason that I couldn’t be doing some of those things right now.
A few weeks ago, I put out some words on how I’ve chosen to finally give attention and time to my writing. For years, I only spent time on it in the spare moments and I have very little to show from that strategy. It’s been just two weeks since this commitment, and I’ve already seen results from the small change. So here’s another dream of mine that I’m choosing to put out into the world. Let’s see what happens.
