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
Tag: retiredteacher
Personal Long Range Plans/Vision Board
At the beginning of 2025, I created a Personal Long Range Plan for the year. Some might call it a Vision Board. It was my first time making one. When I messed about with collage and paints to create it during the quiet days before New Years’, I didn’t realize how helpful it would be.… Continue reading Personal Long Range Plans/Vision Board
The World Will Fill Your Time
The other day I heard these words, “The world will fill your time.” As the summer winds to an end, I find myself realizing the truth of this statement. My sunny summer days are filled. I drift from one thing to another and suddenly it’s bedtime again. I have no trouble filling my time with… Continue reading The World Will Fill Your Time
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
Why Bother With AI
Technology has a way of creating things that we don’t feel we need but suddenly can’t do without. It also has a way of moving ahead at a speed that we’re often not comfortable with. Technological advances happen whether we like them or not. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes more and more intertwined with everyday… Continue reading Why Bother With AI
The Midlife Struggle Bus
The value is in the struggle. I often hear, “It’s all about the journey,” but that makes midlife sound like a wonderful vacation that we’re all on with beautiful views and delightful meals. It’s more of a struggle than a journey; one of constant adaption to changes. One minute things are lovely and the next… Continue reading The Midlife Struggle Bus
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
The Pitfalls Of Taking Another Qualification
As I continue to develop my path after retiring in midlife, I was surprised to catch myself falling into an all too familiar pitfall. I’d seen it happen to others in my situation when they were trying to decide what their next steps should be. I’ve also seen others stay stuck in this place for… Continue reading The Pitfalls Of Taking Another Qualification
Retired, And Now What? 