Work Transition Checkpoint + The Importance of Shedding Light On All That We Do

Despite having an extremely full and busy first four months of the year, I can't help but feel that I haven't been productive in my quest to create meaningful work.

I must often remind myself that compared to last year, three full days are now spent working outside of the home at my part-time office job. That's three days less to create, market, write, dream, plan, set up, ship out, paint, manage, and move forward on projects in waiting.

It's reasonable for my output to shift.

On the flip side, I've created and launched this new website and written posts from a place of integrity and truth on a regular basis - including my celebratory and resource-filled Four Weeks of 40, of which I am proud.

I've submitted regular contributions to ScoutieGirl.com, sent out regular updates to my mailing list, and I painted. I took an online class to solidify my workshop design skills, produced an outline for a one-hour workshop that's almost ready to go and the visual material to go with it.

I worked hard at my office job, bought a house, and on Sunday I leave for my first trip overseas.

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I'm not writing this to brag or boast (though I do think my PowerPoint presentation for that one-hour workshop is pretty sweet!), I'm writing this to shed light on just how much has taken place in a mere four months. Not just trivial stuff either, BIG stuff like buying a house and building up the nerves to get on a plane for the first time in 10 years.

And you know what? I bet anything YOU've been doing a lot too!

Just for fun, why don't you pull out a pen and write down what you've been up to? I bet you it's more than you think.

So when you're feeling kinda crappy and down on yourself, remember that there's usually a lot more going on than meets the eye and that sometimes, keeping things running smoothly is hard work.

Then give yourself a pat on the back because YOU are doing a fabulous job.

Today on Scoutie Girl: Decluttering and the Power of Purging Inclusively

With the upcoming move (only a few months to go!) I've been going through a lot of my stuff, kicking operation Purge & Pack into high gear.

On today's Scoutie Girl contribution I praise one of the tools that makes it easy for me to be ruthless in my purging without feeling like I'm losing out.

It's even helped me clear a good chunk of my bookshelves.

It's magic I tell you. Go, check it out!

Pausing the Online Shop

What She Seeks, 8"x10" print available here

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There's a whole lotta stuff brewing in these parts and I'll be taking a wee vacation from the online shop to:

• enjoy a first trip overseas to Paris and London - a 40th birthday gift from my sweetie,
• pack, move house, and create a new home in a soon-to-be ours 1970s split-level pad, and
• regroup, renew and rejuvenate.

The Gone Fishin' sign goes up first thing Monday morning, May 6th, so if you've been eyeing one of my prints, go get it while it's there!

I'll still be active here and on my Facebook page (What? You haven't "Liked" me yet?). And I'll still be offering a Featured Original here on this site so if original art is your thing, you'll want to keep an eye on that.

But really, there are only a few select prints left. Go...