37 Things Before 38

Over 2 weeks ago now I turned 37. We were on vacation at the lake and it was perfection. Just me and all my boys, I couldn't ask for anything more. As I tend to mentally age myself early (I've been calling myself 37 in my head for a few months now) I was already adjusted to the age change.

One of my goals on the 36 Things Before 37 list was to write my 37 Things Before 38 list ON my birthday. And I did it!

I can't say the same for everything else on the list. I didn't make it to half of them, but:

• as a weak excuse, I created the list 6 months away from my birthday and didn't have a full year to complete them.
• I didn't put a lot of thought into all of them and they weren't what I truly wanted.
• some things made it onto this year's list as I still want to do them.
• I am okay with all of the above.

37 Things Before 38

1. Take a pottery wheel class
2. List 100 items in my Etsy shop
3. Do the de-clutter challenge (I started this on August 1)
4. Create a blogging schedule
5. Take pictures with my DSLR every week.
6. I need to listen to my doctor and get down to my ideal weight to help with my diabetes and high blood pressure
7. Try my hand at some Fair Isle knitting
8. Go to yoga once per week
9. 5 new date night adventures
10. Sign Connor up for the babysitting course
11. Take boys to Whistler
12. Book dentist appointments (done, we go this month!)
13. Make my bucket list
14. Play new song on the piano
15. Print out the family mantra I created
16. Sleep outside with the boys
17. Go thrifting with Gabi
18. Organize the playroom
19. Make new kick-ass workout playlist
20. No snacks after dinner except on family movie nights
21. Work through all my old personal training plans
22. Drink 4L of water per day (this is going well 2 weeks later)
23. Finish my first Project Life Album
24. Climb Golden Ears
25. Go to the gym 3 times per week 
26. Refinish the filing cabinet I scored from work
27. Go for a family bike ride on the dykes
28. Book our 4th Shuswap trip
29. Donate all the clothes I haven't worn in a year (be brutal)
30. Organize my craft desk (that new filing cabinet will come in handy)
31. Paint my bedroom side tables
32. Get my piano tuned
33. Buy a paddle boat or kayaks for item number 28
34. Brush off the children's stories I have written and start submitting them again
35. Send in queries to magazines for some new articles
36. Create and implement a chore schedule for the boys
37. Write my 38 things before 39 on my birthday

 It's a good sign that I'm exciting about this list. It is going to get DONE!

Where do you Find the Time?

When everyone says "I don't know how you find the time to do everything you do", I don't always have a great response. But the other day while driving home I was thinking about that statement and I recorded my answer.  So here it is.

Well I make time for it, but most times it is at the expense of other things, whether it be spending time with my husband or with my kids or doing the laundry. But let's be honest, most time the laundry loses the attention battle when I'm really into one of my projects.

So that's just it, you can't do it all. But you have to pick what you want to do and that is where a lot of people come from when they're saying, "I don't know how you do it all". They're putting the items on their to do list that really aren't that fun and that they don't want to do first and then they don't have time for the things that fill up their cup.

But for me, I'm okay with leaving the things like the laundry and the dishes. Sometimes I do feel guilty if my boys want to play and I'm in the middle of something that is inspiring me and I say no to them. What I do to balance this out is that I make time for them a bit later. This helps them learn as well that I have passions and goals and it encourages them to entertain themselves (an important skill for kids as they get older - my boys are 12, 8 & 6). I love myself enough to make sure I'm happy and when I do that, my time with the boys is even more fulfilling  because they get a better me.

What do you think? Do you get this statement a lot, or perhaps do you say it to others? What can you do to balance your life and fill up your cup?

30 Days of Happy

30 days ago, I shared that I was going to start the #100happydays project. Well actually it has been 31 days, I counted number 7 twice.

Shortly after joining the project, I read an article in the local news bashing the challenge. You can read it here, but essentially it says how unrealistic it is to be happy for 100 days in a row and that we are setting ourselves up for unhappiness trying to achieve this goal for such a long period of time.

A friend asked me why I was participating because, in her words, "You are happy!" And my response was that I like the idea of being mindful of what makes me happy and documenting it.

I don't believe we go through life in a cloud of happiness everyday. We feel the range of emotions, some fleeting some longer, on a continual basis. But why not make an effort to seek out and recognize the moments that bring you happiness?

If you want to follow along with me, you can find me on Instagram.
User name @harmonyc

Emerging in Spring Time

If I were to change the time of year for new goals and resolutions it would be to Spring Time. Everything is fresh, new life is beginning and it is a time of renewal. There is nothing fresh or new about January 1 other than a new calendar - there is still dormancy afoot.

I have gone through many renewals myself, pushed myself to reach new goals and try new things but I seem to fall short of getting to my ultimate goal. I relapse into old habits, stop pursuing that result I am craving.

I know this isn't because my goals aren't attainable, they totally are, it is more from my inability to see myself past the process of reaching a goal and living that goal. This isn't a concious decision like:

• "I am getting articles published on some big-named websites, I'm going to stop writing now and delete my blog"
• "I went from hating running to running a 1/2 marathon, I'm going to stop training and not run at all"
• "I've been focusing on my health and have lost weight and gained so much energy in the process. I'm going to go back to my old habits and gain the weight back so my new clothes won't fit me"

They weren't conscious decisions but all of those are decisions I have made.

Spring is here again, I am going to move forward and push through. I am going to work on my goals and include a maintenance plan to keep living the goals I worked hard to reach.

This video from Danielle LaPorte is a good pep talk to start me on my way (and yours too).

What I'm Growing in my Garden

That little sprout up there makes me giddy. I love taking a little seed and turning it into food. I've had really good gardening years and then some that really were a lot of work for nothing. This year I'm gunning for a great harvest.

 My end goal is to make pickles from cucumbers and dill that I grow myself. Most of the seedlings above are cucumbers and there are some tomatoes coming up there on the right. I am simplifying, trying food I know works for my gardening skills and the soil/sunlight combination we have.

Giant Russian Sunflowers are going to be planted too, mostly for looks and because if they work out, we can eat the seeds. If the birds don't get them first.

I've started a Pinterest page, To Garden, come check it out.

36 Things Before I Turn 37

Okay, here it is! I didn't go to pie in the sky as I only have half a year left until my birthday. BUT, there are no limits placed on my 37 things before 38.

I'm No Longer Turning 35 BUT...

Shortly after my 34th birthday I made a list of goals to complete before I turned 35. I made the list but didn't revisit it or make plans to accomplish the items on it. Now here I am approaching 37 and I think it is about time to see how I did! I am updating the goals where needed and adding a few more to make my 36 things before I turn 37 list.

1. Run 1/2 Marathon - I injured myself and am getting back into running this year. UPDATED goal: run a 10 KM race before birthday.
2. Open Etsy Shop - Complete! (but I haven't listed anything for sale so not really). UPDATED goal: list 1 item for sale.
3. Be fit and healthy - Does it count if I got there and then through injury and job changes put my health on the backburner? No? Didn't think so. This one stays as is!
4. Visit Anthropologie - I am honestly a little afraid to go to this store; afraid of what it could do to my bank account. UPDATED goal: go to Anthropologie and spend no more than $40
5.  Get Passport - COMPLETE!
6. Family Vacation - COMPLETE! Shuswap Lake
7. Decorate House - Always a work in progress. This wasn't a very specific goal. I will revise to say finish organizing play room.
8. Get FMP - COMPLETE!
9. Go to Wildplay - I think this is going to be my request for a birthday date.
10. DSLR Camera - COMPLETE!
11. Declutter - Another constant. To add a measurable aspect to this goal: I will organize my closet.
12. Go to a concert - COMPLETE! Rogers Waters The Wall
13. Bike up hill to house - COMPLETE! Full disclosure, this wasn't the same hill or house as the one I created the goal around but I still biked up a hill by my house.
14. Run for the Cure with Connor - COMPLETE!
15. Teach Darien to swim and bike - COMPLETE!
16. Dresses for Meg and Jess - Long story but this one will not be completed and will be replaced.
17. Only eat dark chocolate - NOPE!! Another replacement for this silly goal is required.
18. Take more pictures of the boys - COMPLETE! Some may say I should scale back.
19. Photography Course or Challenge - COMPLETE X 2!
20. Design original item to sell - This one is going to be tied in with item number 2.
21. Knit a blanket for home - UPDATED goal: finish scarf I have been knitting since last summer.
22. Blog once a week - A good one to keep on here. That would mean I have to blog 29 times before my birthday.
23. No computer games - I love me a good game of Majong while procrastinating between e-mails. It is a good brain cleanser. READ - goal not met and it is being replaced.
24. Swim Laps - COMPLETE!
25. Nurture Friendships - COMPLETE! I am still an introvert at heart but have made more effort to be social.
26. No magazines for 1 year - COMPLETE!
27. New towels - COMPLETE!
28. New sports bras - COMPLETE!
29. Knit sweater for Jeremy - I am not sure what I was thinking here. He hates sweaters and wouldn't wear it. A replacement goal is required.
30. Send birthday cards to friends - UPDATED goal: call or send a personal e-mail to friends. I think cards are expensive and unnecessary unless they are homemade.
31. Get varicose vein checked out - in addition to this, get that physical out of the way.
32. Host a dinner party - COMPLETE!
33. Own a bathing suit I love - COMPLETE!
34. More family adventures - COMPLETE!

Not too bad when you consider I wasn't actively pursuing these goals. I made a list and hoped for the best. This time I am going to:

• Make goals that excite me and that I really want to do.
• Post my list where I will see it on a daily basis (if not multiple times per day)
• Make a plan on how I will reach each goal.
• Pick 2 goals each month to really focus on (especially if they are based on new habits) so I don't feel overwhelmed.

 My list of 36 things before I turn 37 will be posted soon!

Patience

Well hello there my neglected blog, how are you? I will not indulge in excuses or explanations, this is just to say I am here and will come back as often as I can.

It is a New Year and I have picked a word to guide me through it. One that I will refer back to each day when making decisions or when I need a helping hand to continue in the right direction.

Patience

                         the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering 

                                                without getting angry or upset

I will practice patience:

• with myself, especiallly when I stumble working towards my goals
• with my children
• with my husband
• with my co-workers
• with fellow drivers on my commutes (this might be the most challenging one!)

  I also have 3 goals I want to accomplish by the end of this year:

•  Run a 10 km race in under 1 hour (my best time is 53:42 and that was over 3 years ago, time to get back into it)
• Complete my Project Life album. Changing jobs has created a gap in my pages, I am going to be PATIENT with myself and let the lapse go and continue on as I can.
• Play a new song on the piano - but not just being able to pluck out the notes; it has to be AWESOME.

I Did It

Over a month ago I talked about being Scared, scared of starting a new job.

Today I started that new job and couldn't be happier. It was the right decision.

More to come on this new adventure and how it is going to bring my balance to my life and exciting new challenges for my career. But for now, my brain is drained from new information overload.

Scared.

I am struggling to break through the rut I have found myself in.

I see ways to do it, but I am scared at the same time.

There is a chance for me to change jobs, to a job that I will enjoy and will allow me more flexibility (I can work from home!) and let me manage projects (which I love).  The money would be the same and I have worked with the company and people at that company before so as far as risks go it isn't that bad. But there is the big WHAT IF factor? What if they don't like me? What if they decide they really don't need another project manager? What if, what if, what if??? And I have stability right now even if that comes with a 3-hour commute, both ways, on top of my 8 hour day.

Scared.

I have set-up my Etsy shop and have paralyzed myself into inaction that anything I put out there won't hold up against all of the items I drool over when I visit Etsy to shop. I want to create more and share my creations but I am not sure this is the right time for me to open shop. Perhaps I should just focus more on creating for creating's sake and see what comes from that. But if now is not the right time, when will it ever be?

Scared.

This blog, I am holding back. I am not writing as much as I would like and not using my voice but instead a censored version of it. I want to just put my thoughts out there and not worry about what anyone thinks. My hope is to connect with like-minded creative folks and to share my thoughts and projects (and yes my kids too). This post is more me than anything on here yet, but I still have not let go and let loose.

Scared.

Then I read inspiration like those found below and I become a little bit braver. Brave enough to write this post.

Vivienne McMaster
Alexandra Franzen
Trish Blackwell

I Wish...

Thanks to constant nagging comments, e-mail reminders, motivational encouragement, my friend Gabi has inspired me to start blogging again. She also asked me what I want for my blog.

 

I have a lot of things I want for and from this blog. I will list some and hope that I don't get intimidated by my big expectations.

 

- I wish for it to be a space to document my children growing up and proof I spend enough time with them while they still want to spend time with me.

- I wish for it to be a place to share my artistic endeavours (photography, various needle crafts, drawing).

- I wish for it to be a place of inspiration for myself and others.

- I wish for it to be a place to connect with friends near and far.

- I wish to live up to the blog's name - Creating Harmony. I love the double-meaning behind the title. I am creating myself (as we all are) through my experiences and I create art.

 

 

Leaping Forward into 2012

I love starting new projects and trying out new toys but I'm not the best at following things through to the end. This year is going to be dedicated to "Following Through." It's a mouthful for my one little word but it resonates with me so I think that is all that counts. My word for the past 2 years has been ACTION  and now I have a lot of unfinished projects and lists.

To help me follow through this year I am going to make sure that the things I commit to are ones that I truly want to do. It is important that I set my goals appropriately, in more manageable bites that I can complete before moving on to the next step or figuring out I don't want to move in that direction any longer.

Starting tomorrow I am commiting to taking a picture a day for all of 2012. I'll be using my new camera that my husband bought me for Christmas. It will be a good way for me to learn different functions on my Canon while documenting the year. I have signed up for the daily inspiration e-mails from CaptureYour365 and will be encouraged (and nudged) by my good friend Gabi to get my pictures up on my blog.

Happy New Year!

34 Before 35

Here's my list of goals and reminders that I made for myself. It was made on my 34th birthday and I plan to cross everything off before I turn 35.

I'm already working on number 1 with my good friend Gabi. We are training for and running a half marathon together this November. I have put up all of my racing bibs on the wall in my office as a reminder of what I have accomplished and as proof that I can do this.

My goal to blog once a week has gotten a lot easier with a new app I downloaded that let's me write and publish posts on my iPod while I ride the train to work.

Action - Live and Love it in 2010

I read blogs more than I actually blog, and I am fine with that. But sometimes I feel the need to let loose my thoughts and here they are:

A lof of the aforementioned blogs are choosing one word to sum up their goals, dreams and resolutions for the New Year. That is right, instead of long lists of items you try to make yourself conform to you have one word to remind you and steer you onto your chosen path.

It took me 3 days to come up with the word 'flourish', I like the look sound and meaning it has for me. But it also feels a little lofty for 2010. I am only now recovering my creativity and it is still in a delicate state. I have the need to strengthen my creative self before I can truly flourish.

In some reading I was doing today the pages were focused on action - don't put off a project because you don't have time to complete it in one sitting - do something. I am the master putter-offer - if I only have 20 minutes forget pulling out all my paints and finnessing that leaf or doing a few embellishments on a collage - not worth the time.

The word action kept jumping out at me and I finally realized - it is because I have found THE word. This blog post is an example of me living my word - Action; I thought I should blog about it and because I am now living a year of action here I am blogging about.

I expect many great things to come from my actions this year and they will set me up to flourish in 2011.