My holiday spirit is slowly returning after an all-time low several years ago. I was resentful of all the obligations of the season. I was burnt out from teaching during a pandemic. I was numb. It’s taken years of intentional changes to get here. But this December, I don’t feel panicked and overwhelmed for the… Continue reading Reclaiming My Holiday Spirit
Category: Happier Me
What Do You Reach For In Stressful Times?
I’m rekindling part of my cultural heritage, in times of stress. Recently, I was reading a wonderful book about building resilience by deepening your relationship with your body. Who doesn’t want to be able to bounce back a bit more often from the stress and tension of everyday life? (I’ll link the book below.*) I’m… Continue reading What Do You Reach For In Stressful Times?
Productivity Reframe
Doing something useful with my time is something I value. It feels good to be productive. There’s a feeling of satisfaction when I get to the end of the day and look back at projects completed. My time wasn’t wasted. It’s my personal values and beliefs that determine what’s useful and whether I’ve spent my… Continue reading Productivity Reframe
The Capability Trap
Just because I have the capability to do something doesn’t mean I have the capacity. This is a lesson that hit me suddenly, and keeps reverberating as I continue to grow my business. The Wake-Up Call It was a simple email that did it. Someone sent me a work email late in the evening… Continue reading The Capability Trap
Life Balance Is A Moving Target
Life balance is a moving target. No one secures a bullseye in life balance. Our life circumstances are too changeable and varied from one week to the next. However, it is a worthy target to aim for because it keeps us readjusting and moving in a direction that feeds us with energy and keeps us… Continue reading Life Balance Is A Moving Target
A Passion Project Is For You
Why do we feel we need to justify our passion projects? “I’m writing this memoir for the grandkids.” “I’m making these quilts as a legacy for my children.” Did we ask them? Probably not. A passion project is for you. Creating anything is primarily for the creator’s benefit: to express themselves, to develop their skills,… Continue reading A Passion Project Is For You
Seeking Contentment
It is the perfect day when I look at it objectively: a slower pace with space to create, and gentle surroundings. If I had imagined a perfect day in the future as I was retiring from teaching, this would be it. But humming through me, there’s a disturbing feeling of dissatisfaction that surprises me. No… Continue reading Seeking Contentment
Dream Big!
Do you have big dreams? For some, retiring in midlife means learning to adapt to a different rhythm of life, developing new social connections, and finding a hobby or two that they’re passionate about. It’s about spending time with family, and that may include grandchildren. There’s nothing wrong with this version of life. It sounds… Continue reading Dream Big!
Rituals Are There To Support You
I need opportunities to be present in my life, to slow down, and savour the moment. Over the last year, I did this by adding more significance to my morning habit of making a matcha latte. I use my favourite white mug with the violet interior. After carefully mixing the vibrant green matcha powder with… Continue reading Rituals Are There To Support You
Fun as an antidote to difficult times
Glimmers and gratitude are great, but fun is where it’s at. Fun is changing my daily experience one small moment at a time. Fun is something that I actively seek and it brings joyful sparks to the day. It can be playing hide and seek with the dog, or putting sprinkles on my ice cream.… Continue reading Fun as an antidote to difficult times
Retired, And Now What? 