Monthly Archives: October 2023

Forward

Posted in Home Life, Normal People Things, Work Life by

My planning obsession started in middle school.

At the start of my 5th grade year my teacher handed me an “agenda book” for managing homework and class schedules. My classmates HATED their agenda books—particularly because they needed review and signature by a parent each week—but I loved mine! It had calendars and lined pages aplenty. The spiral bind proffered ease of access; the three-hole punch, stability (it fit right into my Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper). I was obsessed with the multi-function tool it came with: a page marker that attached to the spine with a ruler printed on it.

Through the years, I graduated from school-issued agenda books to luxury Day Designers. I explored Filofax and bullet journals and had a whole setup with Microsoft Office at my last job. (Tasks and categories and calendars, oh my!) But since moving to a new company in January, I’ve had to reinvent my task management strategy.

My annual professional development fund got me some sweet resources on implementing Getting Things Done, a detailed time management process with the goal of freeing my mind through regular use of a trusted system. Google calendars and tasks help me track work and personal responsibilities. My Google Workspace flow isn’t quite as robust as my old Microsoft setup, but I love the integration and accessibility—everything I need is right at my fingertips via desktop, tablet, or phone.

But these days I’m treating planning as both a habit and a hobby.

Sometime last year, I fell under the spell of digital planning. It combined the creativity of bullet journaling with the convenience of an iPad and Apple Pencil. Digital planning offered robust planners as beautiful as any Day Designer but without the extra 10lbs in my backpack—it literally lifted a weight off my shoulders! I even made my own digital planner last winter (fun, but not worth the effort when other creators make such awesome stuff). I love adding stickers and photos and designs to my monthly and weekly spreads; it calms my mind and gets me excited for the week ahead.

Below are some of my favorite digital planning creators if you’re interested in giving it a try! (These links are not sponsored; I’m sharing because I truly enjoy their content.)

How do you keep track of everything in your busy lives?

one of my favorite weekly spreads

Think Twice

Posted in She. Me. Her. by

Today my affirmation was, “I will make good choices today.” Not easy choices. Or convenient ones. Good choices.

And it was HARD.

Lately I’ve come to admit that the way I moved through life in the past doesn’t serve me as much anymore. The perfectionism, the self doubt, the use of fear and criticism as motivators—they helped me survive. They were my rock and slingshot, meager tools for slaying giants but effective nonetheless. For a very long time, they felt like the only tools I had.

But now, I choose differently.

I choose to let go of what I can’t change. I choose to believe in myself. I choose to stop punishing for being human. I choose to treat my body with kindness. I choose to speak to myself gently and with encouragement.

I owe it to the version of myself who thought there was no other way.

Meaning of Life

Posted in She. Me. Her. by

What would you do if you lost all your possessions?

Before I share my perspective, I want to acknowledge how privileged I am to have never experienced losing all my possessions. I’ve never known life without clothes on my back, food in my belly, and a place to lay my head and store my belongings. My heart aches for anyone who has ever lost all they owned.

But when I stop to think about what it would be like to lose all my possessions, my mind whispers

free

I admit I am a bit of a pack rat and I hold onto many things that should have been donated or trashed long ago. Just yesterday, I went through my closets and came out with two large bags full of gently used clothes for donation, much of which hadn’t been worn in at least a year.

It sounds so liberating, getting rid of it all. No “I might need this” or “someday I’ll use that”—just starting over with nothing to hold me back. A clean slate.

But all means ALL, doesn’t it?

The wooden figure bought in Bali the day I knew my husband was “the one.”

The birthday cards from my mother through the years, with words of love in her perfect cursive.

The UK memorabilia my daddy collected.

The American flag that laid across his casket.

I would put on a brave face, for sure. But underneath the stoicism and the “things are just things” attitude I would be

devastated

Eventually, I would move on. Time would dull the pain of losing. I’d gather more things.

And hopefully, freedom would come with the understanding that possessions spark memories, and memories can last forever even without the physical token.

So I’ll value my possessions and treat them with care while I have them…

…because I know there may come a day when memories are all that’s left.

This Time

Posted in She. Me. Her. by

Oh. My. Goodness. …Am I actually getting my shit together?!?

Short answer: Yes. (FINALLY.)

I know it’s been awhile but I’ve decided to give this blogging thing a try. Again. For the umpteenth time. After OVER A YEAR of crickets on the blog.

It isn’t like I haven’t thought about it, though. I’ve often tried to drum up the inspiration, the energy to write. But it didn’t feel right until now.

You know, one of the reasons I’ve avoided writing here is because this blog chronicles some of the lowest points of my life. Reading the entries reminds me of how broken, how lost and afraid I was. The wounds may have healed a bit over time, but the memories of their infliction never faded.

My goal now is to rediscover my love of writing, explore all the things I’m learning about myself on my journey through therapy, and HEAL. (Not necessarily in that order.)

If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll help some of y’all who are healing too.

Life is full of twists and turns, a road ever winding with deep curves ahead. Some times we find ourselves at dead ends. Other times the path is leisurely, not a pothole or speed bump in sight. The only thing we know for sure is that there is no GPS and we can’t refill our tanks when our fuel finally runs out.

So let’s take this journey.

Let’s hop into the driver’s seat of our lives.

Spark the ignition of hope.

Check the rear view mirror to remember where we came from.

Turn toward the path of growth, peace, joy.

…and hit the gas.