Definition of success

 I listened to a podcast Off the Grid: leaving social media without losing clients.  Host Amelia Hruby. The episode title was "success is a cycle". It was extremely interesting as it got me thinking about success in a totally different way.  Not achieving goals and climbing the ladder (of success).

Amelia talked about the script society has for us that success is achieving education, job, promotion, family, six figure income. The script of we are not successful until we reached those goals or others. Then, often the goals change. 

But....what about it we looked at success as a feeling. What we are doing and wanting. Not a goal or somewhere we have to be. Goals written by others. Success as a feeling.

So, I decided to change my definition of success. Amelia also said for her it is feelings and wanting that should line-up. Also acknowledging that success, like joy, grief, is always coming in and out of our lives. We are not always successful or joyful. Success like other emotions is a cycle. We are working toward that so.

So my success definition is:

1.  having enough money to enjoy my life (now and in the future)

2.  doing things that bring me joy

3.  working towards being healthier 

4.  filling my life with positive people and experiences

I might add more to my success definition.  This is my start.  

What would your definition of success be? 

Starting our fall to do list

 A few of us love to sit and make a list.  It feels satisficing to cross something off a list.  A list gives focus. Something to work around and on.  We have started our fall list of things we want to check out and do. It might seem early but having the list before September seems like we have things under control. We might not but can think that with list in hand!

So below are some of our items we have started putting on our fall list.  We will be adding it to for sure as time goes on. 

•  After a hot summer and vacations we are ready to get back to book club.  We have a few books on the list already.  Our plan is to have a book a month already set for September - December. Four books.
• Tossing or donating summer clothes that we are so through with.  Or are falling apart.
• Picking a fun fall craft to do for girls night.
• Getting those last few patio dates in - even if the heaters are on.
• Paint spare bedroom/office.  When not humid.
• Clean out linen closet
• Fall hikes in - best weather for hikes!!
• Go through pictures on phone.  Delete. Print. Undecided.
• Book massage
• Back to theater season

Let us know what is on your fall to do list!

Plus book recommendations always welcomed

Word/s for the year

 Happy New Year.  Hope everyone had a safe and lovely holiday.  WOW 2022 no idea where or how that happened.

We were over at Setting our intention and the post was about setting your word for the new year.  Check out the post for all the details.  Summary what do you want to accomplish this year?  How do you want to feel this year?  Start there.

So two of us decided to work with those parameters and go for it.  One word that resonated with one of us was clarity.  This is the year to get clear with what is important. How do we want to move forward? What do we want to let go of?  To get clarity on where the path is or even where to head.  Action plan is to sit down and write out what brings joy. Distress. What can be let go of? What can be added?  Clarity.

 Peace was the other word. COVID19 has made us slow down.  Not rushing out to social engagements, sport activities or even family gatherings.  We have been home more and quiet. At times it has been nice and actually needed.  This year we want to concentrate on peace and making it a habit.  Setting time aside if not daily than weekly to slow down, sit and just be.

Do you have a word for the year?  Let us know your word and the reason behind it.

Time to evaluate goals of the past year

 We are rolling into the last part of the year.  Looking back we thought we'd evaluate some goals of the past year.  

• Purging check.  One of us did Project 333.  Check it out so worth doing. 33 items for 3 months. Makes you evaluate what you actually want to wear.  Ended up getting rid of a lot of summer clothes that didn't make the cut.  Didn't miss and felt like enough clothes to wear. 
• Cleaned and purged under kitchen cabinets.  Everything out, cleaned and less back in.
• Cottage rental. So good and needed. Read books, painted and general had days of doing nothing.
• Did some hiking this fall. Weather perfect for hiking in the fall.  Warm but less or no humidity.
• Yeah happy to say made it to a few patios this summer. Felt normal. Even tried a new place downtown which was cool.
• Bought a few artisan gift boxes. This year a major to do was support local artisans. Purchasing gift boxes was an easy way.  More than one artisan in the box. Look for them in your area. Support local.
• Tried a few on-line paint classes. A few of us did one together - very neat. No we won't be showing or work!!!!
• Book club - maybe not as frequent as we wanted but did manage a few.

Overall it was a good year so far. Family and friends safe. Mostly trying to make the most of a pandemic that is still ongoing. 

Live the life you can in the times you are living.  That has been our motto.

Last three months of the year

 How is that possible? The days are long but the weeks/months have been fast. The weather is definitely fall here. Warmer days and cooler nights. Which is fine after the humidity we have experienced. Okay I'm not talking for ALL of us but I'm the one typing so........   

We were talking about getting some focus now that the seasons are changing. School back in. Summer vacations over.  That lead to projects or goals we wanted off our plate before we roll into a new year. The following is what we will be concentrating on.

In no particular order.....

• Meal prep.  Start making soups and chili that can be frozen. The plan is to listen to a podcast or audiobook while chopping, and prepping.  
• Paper - seriously pull it out and go through it.  Taxes, receipts, instructions (do we even still have that item?), cards and paper period.
• Get back into book club. Pick a book and a date. Done
• Clean out linen closet
• Organize the garage.  
• Organize the photos on phone.  This feels daunting. Plan is to break it down into small pieces of time. 10-15 minutes here and there. Maybe start with deleting duplicates and out of focus. 
• Schedule and hopefully have a dentist and doctor appointments have been putting off

What do you have on your list to check off before the end of the year?  We would love to hear it! Maybe we'll have to add to ours.

Update on goals for the past 30 days

 Earlier this month we set out goals for the next 30 days.  We thought we'd give an update.  

Summer clothes have been put away and linen closet cleaned out.  Bag ready for goodwill and SPCA.  No didn't have enough pumpkin spice latte.  

Fall decorating (for the ones who do it) has happened. Halloween treats have been picked up by some and not by others. 

 No making a wreathe wasn't in the cards. Maybe will move to winter list. Winter tires are not on but appointments have been made - so that counts. 

YES a new pursue was purchased - very exciting. Different as round and perfect fall color.  Maple or what X consider maple.

 This is the book club selection.  Has anyone read?  Thoughts? 

Have started thinking about soups and chilli but nothing happening in that area yet. If you have any recommendations for slow cookers please pass on.

Gloves sorted and winter boots good for another season.  Yeah!

Over all I think we did pretty well with our goals for the thirty days.  Realistically knew we wouldn't accomplish them all but feel main ones were checked.  

Setting an intention

 We came across this setting our intentions and wanted to share.  Resolutions versus Intention.  The thought of setting a resolution has always been hard.  I usually fail and keep setting the same on year after year.  Eat better. Lose weight.  Exercise routine. Within three months (if not sooner) I'm done. I might try again off and on during the year but it is usually a done deal my resolution failed.

This intention sounds more doable and maybe even fun!  The site says four months is good and even shows us show to set an intention. It doesn't have to be firmly set (and shouldn't be) like a resolution. It is more like something to work on or towards.

I'm going to set an intention to work on for the rest of the year.  Two and half months - so doable. Not sure what yet will go through the progress and keep you posted.

Let me know what you think and if you set an intention what it is!

Goals for the next 30 days

 We found this challenge and enjoyed the prompts. No we haven't followed it exactly and pulled off the thirty days.  Yes to a few.  Here is one we thought neat.  What are our goals for the next 30 days.  

• More pumpkin spice lattes and treats
• Finish putting away summer clothes
• Purchase a new fall/winter pursue
• Make a fall wreath
• Pick out next book for book club
• Make supper plans with the ladies 
• Clean out linen closet (has been on list for a while)
• Buy local
• Start making soups. Slow cooker out
• Go through mitts and gloves. Toss worn ones and put others in coats
• Make sure winter boots are okay! Was I suppose to buy new ones before now???
• Winter tires on
• To get excited about the season - working on it
• Fall and/or Halloween decorating
• Halloween treats

What are your goals for the next thirty days?