Tag Archives: balance

Stretching and Growing…old?!?!

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The birthday boy and his little sisterThe last month has been a time of stretching and growing for me. (Or maybe it’s been a time of feeling incredibly old and I’m just looking for a silver lining.) My youngest son graduated high school and moved to begin his new life in the city, with college and new friends and pursuits. My eldest left his teen years and became a man of 20. My daughter, the baby, is 10 and is stretching for independence. I’m not quite an “empty-nester” but I am experiencing some of that feeling of simultaneous emptiness and freedom.

It’s an interesting time as I look over my life that’s been filled with running a business and raising children over the past couple of decades and I wonder, “What do I do for the NEXT 20 years?” I must admit the options are staggering and I’m spending much of my mental energy exploring them. I’ve determined that quality of life for me means time to call my own, even if that means less money. Thankfully, this is hitting at a time when my expenses are naturally (and intentionally) diminished. I’m whittling away at the last remnants of debt.

Balance is becoming quite real for me after all these years of preaching and I’m applying the 80/20 rule to my business and my life. It makes each action more planned and requires less auto-pilot and more concentration. The benefit? My life is starting to de-stress, my business is becoming more focused and I’m starting to feel a little more in control.

It’s bizarre at this point in my life to realize I can do anything I want to do … as soon as I figure out what that is. Too many options are overwhelming and even having a few of them nailed down doesn’t prevent twinges of scary (and exhilaratingly) stuff from coursing through my veins.

So even at more than twice their age, I’m in step with both of my sons. As they decide what’s next for them — I’m figuring out what’s next for me!

An Unfocused Blog

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My blog is ALL OVER the place lately. I look at the topics and hang my head. Yes, I should have more control. I’d fuss at any client that was doing what I’m doing. Yes, I’m losing marketing opportunities and my brand isn’t obvious. I think I’m practicing “Do as I say, not as I do.” That’s always popular.

Of course this is not really a “business” blog. It’s more often a personal blog. There, that makes it better!

On the flip side, it does help my readers get to know who I am and where I am at this point in my convoluted little life right now. I’m an “almost” empty nester, dealing with that feeling of loss. I’m also a freelance home-office dweller trying to (yet again) refine my business into a sharper focus and a deeper niche.)

I’m actually considering taking my business into writing as the primary pursuit, rather than marketing. I’ll handle that decision over the next few months, along with the slew of others peering at me with never blinking, always expectant eyeballs. I’ll get to them… every one… eventually.

Right now, I’m dealing with information overload on a stellar level. I can’t quit learning, I can’t quit gathering and I’m wearing myself out with it all — even this week (which is supposed to be my vacation). Without this week “off” I would probably have imploded.

I’m simplifying my life and looking at everything with the “do I really need this item (or hassle, or drama, or hurdle) to make my life complete?” approach. Doing that really changes a person! I’m also applying the 80/20 rule to everything I’m considering from clothes in my closet (my last post) to goals in my life (an even older post that will become a new post once all these decisions are actually made).

I spend much of my “free” time these days wondering, “What do I want to do with the REST of my life?” I’ll probably have that figured out sometime soon. In the meantime, bear with me because while I make sweeping decisions about my life… there’s a little clutter and aimlessness in my blog.

Simple Wardrobe for Home Office Workers

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Trimming down my belongings... starting with the closet.I’ve looked at other “simple” clothing lists and I find them to be too extensive for my needs and desires. I’m going to lose weight … someday… but for now, I’m tired of waiting for the “right” wardrobe. Now, I’m ready to simplify what I have and get rid of what doesn’t fit, isn’t flattering or isn’t comfortable.

I figure when I do lose weight (note the “when” is not an “if”) that buying new clothes will be a treat instead of a chore.

After pruning my wardrobe (again) and after trying to determine what I REALLY need in my closet to do my work, feel comfortable, and have what I need for any “event” without needing to dash out and buy something new — I’ve settled on the following list of basics.

Shirts/Blouses

  • White pin-point tailored oxford button-down shirt
  • Long-sleeve natural linen (ethnic) tunic top
  • Silk patterned suit blouse
  • Plain white t-shirt
  • Black “Attitude” T-shirt (Janice Joplin one right now)
  • Long-sleeved button-down shirt (lavender mini-check)
  • Lavender long sleeve crew-neck cotton shirt
  • Bright 3/4 sleeve shirt, princess seam button-front with collar (solid red)
  • Black silk (washable) or Khaki tunic-length tank top
  • Sheer, flowing patterned shirt with butterfly sleeves (for over tank and camisole tops)
  • Black short sleeve Mock-turtleneck (for hot weather) / Black classic turtleneck (for cold weather)

Sweaters

  • Cotton fine-cable twin set (in Oatmeal)
  • Black V-neck all-weather fine-gage cotton sweater
  • Black short-sleeved collared sweater (ribbed)
  • Dark sleeveless sweater (chocolate brown or black)

Bottoms

  • Pair of Jeans (yes, just my favorite pair)
  • Pair of casual black/dk brown twill pants
  • Pair of khaki slacks (cold weather) or long khaki shorts (warm weather)
  • Long indigo skirt (Denim or Tencel – my preferred fabric)

Sets/Suits/Full Outfits

  • Swimsuit
  • Scrub suit (for lounging and painting and remodeling)
  • Tea-length machine washable patterned sheath tank dress
  • High Quality Basic Black All-Season suit (jacket, long skirt, slacks)

Unmentionables

  • Sleepshirt
  • Four camisole bra tops (brown, white, black, lilac)
  • 3 pair white socks/5 pair black socks
  • 2 pair of tights/hose (one light, one dark)
  • 2 white bras/2 black bras
  • 10 pair undies (5 each black and white)

Accessories/Other Stuff

  • Black leather organizer purse
  • Go-bag (electronics/mobile office or weekend of clothes)
  • Keen Sandals (or tennis shoes)
  • Pair of basic black leather heels
  • Boots (work, hiking or western)
  • Silk scarf (multi colored/patterned)
  • Leather coat – stadium length
  • Leather gloves

By most standards, this list is sparse. That’s ok. It’s not colorful. That’s ok, too — I prefer basic. By modern “norms,” my housing desires are also small.

I don’t want multiple closets or a huge one and I prefer to hang everything because I find that folded clothes seldom look as good on as hung ones do. It’s easier to find what I’m looking for in the bleary-eyed a.m. hours if everything is hanging in one place. (It’s also faster to hang clothes than it is to properly fold them, and I’m all about the efficiency.)

The way I see it, I have a washer and a dryer, and I’m not afraid to use them. I prefer NOT to have enough clothes that I don’t have to keep things done up. I don’t like having mounds of dirty clothes and with my most recent purge, I can’t. I may cut back more in the future, but this is good for now.

Now, I have only the clothes I really love. I have just a few of them and all is right with the world.

Small Cool Winning Spaces

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Apartment Therapy has some of the best “living small” resources around. I particularly like their contests. The Small Cool 2008 contest just ended (this is the fourth annual event for tiny spaces that rock). If you want to check out the winners for some ideas on ways to decorate your own smaller spaces, visit the page dedicated to the “living small” contestants.

Blogging Exhaustion Anyone?

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A recent NYT article chronicles the stress of being a full-time blogger, entrepreneur and participant in the Internet information industry. So, after staying up until nearly 3 a.m. last night working on my “new look” for WickedBlog — with proper validation, a new layout and a WordPress update (that I did all by my lonesome!)… I have to wonder if I’m not part of this craziness.

I’ve noticed the weight gain, the failure to eat properly and the lack of exercise — especially lately. But I keep telling myself that my life will calm down soon, that it will get better, that I’m “investing” in my future. I’m serving clients, dealing with children and family issues, maintaining my websites, blogging and doing constant research.

Hmm… maybe I’m merely continuing my life-long habit of “burning-the-candle-at-both-ends” and I’m just CALLING it something new. Food for thought. Definitely!