The Process of Letting Go

My 2023 word has been redefined. Generally, I would rush to determine what that meant and get it done. But this year, I am letting it flow. A considerable part of that is letting go.

As you know, I have let go of my WEWN business and the never-ending to-do list. Even though my days are packed with opportunities and responsibilities, it is nice to wake up and let the day unfold instead of the "to-do list" taking priority.

Some days start off early, taking care of my four-legged clients. Other days don't start until after 3:00 pm when I care for my grandkids. So it's a beautiful mix.

Am I retired? No. I am still an entrepreneur making money but in a more straightforward way. It has allowed me more free time to do the things that matter most to me or do something I have neglected for a while, like gardening.

I am still letting go of clutter and only surrounding myself with things that bring me joy. I have a lot of stuff. I have a lot of generational chaos. Plus, we are finishing up all the remodeling projects.

I am loving the process of self-discovery. I love being present and enjoying nature. I laugh more, but the biggest thing I have truly enjoyed is listening to my inner voice! It has dissolved a lot of anxiety for me.

Believe me, there is still more discovery to do. I have let go of clothes, household objects, business books, kids' toys, and kitchen stuff. I have unsubscribed to emails, stopped monthly memberships, trimmed my budget, and am mindful of what I am spending my money on. It takes time. There is still much more decluttering and letting go I need to do.

Until next time.

Happy April! I cannot believe we are already in month four. Seriously, where does the time go?

I wanted to give an update since deciding to let go of my Women Empowering Women in November. Since there has been so many questions, I decided to tackle them all here. Do I miss it? I don't. I do miss the people who made up the community, but I don't miss the work of creating events.

It has been a slow but joyous process of unfollowing, unsubscribing, and removing myself from the people and businesses that no longer align with my current path.

What is my current path? I spend a reasonable amount of time assisting my daughter with her property management business and watching and playing with my grandkids. They are growing up so fast. As I get older, I am truly aware of my blessings and being present as much as I can.

I have been spending time getting my house back in order. After spending three years caring for a 3,000-square-foot co-working facility, I haven't had time to play house. So instead, I have been decluttering, organizing, deep cleaning, rearranging, and caring for my plants.

I am looking forward to the spring so I can return to the gardens I have neglected for so long. I can see where leaving my husband to take care of that; I now have certain plants that are no longer coming up or just gone. I already have over 1000 seeds that I will plant inside to get ready to transfer outside. Clive will even build me a couple of raised beds for the vegetables I will be growing.

I have also been spending as much time as possible doing creative journaling and mixed media art. I make sure that I carve out a couple of hours each day doing something creative, and I am having a blast! After being asked to make a few creative journals (junk journals) and mixed media art pieces and having so much excellent feedback, I have decided to start selling my artwork, journals, and junk journal ephemera.

I will sell artwork canvas and boards locally at this time. In addition, I will sell my creative journals, artwork prints, vintage ephemera, and digital ephemera virtually on my website. The launch date for available purchases will be May 1, 2023.

How am I making money? It's a variety of things, such as virtual services. Stuff I do for PINC. I have a few clients for whom I write newsletters; I wrote a couple of grants, policy and procedure updates, and website design and updates.) I also have a couple of dog-sitting and house-sitting gigs at the moment.

My word for 2023 is to redefine, which I do every day. If there is something I don't like, then I don't do it. An example of this is when I started to do an online Unpack Your Stash class on Zoom. The class was all about using your supplies and taking the time to create. I loved doing the class but quickly realized I didn't want to do monthly scheduled events anymore, so I stopped.

I plan on having a few local creative events, and I already have a collaboration event I will announce next week.

How am I staying in touch with the world? I do connect and meet locally with some of the WEW community. But there are still so many women I have yet to schedule with. I post on social media (Facebook and Instagram) as much as possible. I am working on consistently uploading creative videos (planner flip-throughs, she shed updates, plan with me videos, vintage haul videos, and creative journaling tips.)

How is your health? It's okay. HA! I discovered I have a leaky heart valve, which explains so much. I most likely have had it at birth (long story, but I know this is true.) I have ignored the health protocol my naturopathic doctor has recommended (she wouldn't be happy.) So much so that my knee and foot pain has returned. That is my body's telling me I overeat dairy, gluten, and sugar.

What's on my plate for the next couple of months? Making my health a priority, I am speaking for a women's group; I have a collaboration event that will include my artwork. In addition, I am working on becoming certified in Animal First Aid and CPR, getting ready to launch my virtual store on my website, uploading two videos a week on my YouTube channel, and booking my birthday vacation to Sedona.

I love the journey I am on.

Forever grateful.

Redefine is my word for 2023. If you have been reading my blog posts, you know how I chose this word.

Lately, I have been thinking about adding more creativity to my daily life and sharing it with my family, friends, and community on social media without feeling like work. That has been my hang-up for a while now.

I have recently been putting time into cleaning and rearranging my house. I sent a few photos to family and friends, and one comment was, “I thought you were showing me photos from a magazine; I didn’t realize this was your house!” 
Then another statement was, “this is your calling; you should be offering staging or interior design.”

When it comes to decorating, I like to use what I have. I shop from different rooms of my house and see how I can make it work in another. I have always done this my entire life. I like the immediate transformation and repurposing of things. That is probably why I like thrifting.
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A few days later, as I was journaling, sitting quietly, and listening, I heard, “define your unique creativity.” So this is what I wrote; planning, organizing, listening, ability to know what I know, and painting.

Then I heard, “go deeper, write down examples.” This is what I wrote;

• The ability to make a room feel cozy and comfortable using what I have
• creating a planner that is fun and inviting by using art and supplies I have
• organizing my things in a space that is visually appealing to me
• designing a home that I don’t stress over because I have dogs, cats, and grandchildren
• my more profound connection to animals and nature
• my ability to adapt quickly to life
• my ability to know what is suitable for me and what isn’t when I slow down and pay attention
• creating art on a soulful level
• to notice things daily that most people don’t even see or observe
• to laugh at the small stuff
• to find beauty wherever I am at the moment

Let me tell you when that ah-ha moment hits you, it is simply divine. But, unfortunately, I got hung up on how to create and share “certain things” instead of embracing ALL of myself.

You might be reading this and thinking, duh!

It was a process I needed to go through. The universe allows me the time to play, discover, and grieve my closing chapter and Helps me to honor my creativity and redefine the next chapter of my life.  

All the answers are within. Are you ready to listen?

Hello 2023

I love the start of a new year. It has been a tradition since I was a teenager to sit down on New Year’s Eve, find a comfy spot, grab my journal, planner, and magazines and plan out the upcoming year.

My tradition continues but with a few updates. First, I set an intention, light a candle, get in my comfy spot and surround myself with my animals. Next, I grab my journal, planner, stickers, and laptop. Next, I do journaling, create lists, and follow up by searching for images on Pinterest.

I then spend a few hours sitting, planning, dreaming, and enjoying the process I created so many years ago.

The only thing that has changed is I no longer watch the countdown on TV. Now let’s be honest, I am getting older, so the chances of me being awake at the stroke of midnight haven’t been my priority for the past few years. Although, even when I have fallen asleep, I managed to wake up just in time to bring in the new year before nodding off for the night.

I no longer host New Year parties or attend them. Instead, I prefer a cozy night at home with my husband and animals and do what I love to do; plan and create.

As I step into 2023, I want to remember that. I want to create a life I love living. I want to be present, enjoy life, and not rush through it.

• I want to read the books I purchased currently sitting on my shelf.
• I want to use and share the overwhelming amount of craft and planning supplies I have gathered over the years.
• I want to spend more time with my grandchildren and document their lives.
• I want to spend more time playing and being with my dog Bailey.
• I want to travel more with my husband and start making time to create memories with him.
• Finally, I want to make my home cozy and comfy and get back to gardening.

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I want to be purposeful with my time and spend it wisely doing what matters most, and I don’t want to let go of the people, places, and things that are not worth it.

So 2023, here I come!

As 2022 draws near to the end, I find myself in a different space than last year. I mean more of an internal feeling about the future. It's weird.

Last year when I was planning my goals and finding my word for the year, it was based on my business and community. I created content you would expect a business coach, networker, or leader to perform. That is true for all entrepreneurs. And even though I am still those things, they are not leading my choices or decisions for 2023.   
I allowed those titles to lead and be my identity and how I would show up in the world. Now that I am letting go of Women Empowering Women, being a business coach and go-getter, and leading networking meetings, I am in a much different space preparing for the following year.

When most people let go of a business or job, they have something that takes its place. But, yes, even though I have something taking its place, it is not the same. It may be because I am letting go of a business where I made all the decisions to now assisting my daughter in her company. 

For the first time, I am creating my goals and word of the year around me, what I want to do every day, spiritual me. Don't get me wrong, I include personal goals every year, but they were always directed and defined by my business. Would things have been different if I had led with my personal goals first?

I do love this space I am in. My thoughts and reflections are more profound. I have let go of clutter, people, places, and things. My relationships are more substantial. I am more present. I don't have time for other people's bullshit or self-delusions that they are trying to convince the world of. I'm tired of the same-old people, teaching the same old stuff, trying to overcome their same-old problems. But, unfortunately, social media is a breeding ground for that.

As for the New Year, I know that my word is "redefine." I am redefining my next chapter and how I want to live my life simply and creatively.  

My goals are simple;

• Continue to purge people, places, and things that no longer serve me.
• Embrace and learn the things that interest me and allow me to connect spirituality more deeply.
• Creativity document the moments that matter most.
• Do something daily that my future self is proud of.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.

Wishing you the merriest Christmas and the brightest New Year.

Until next time.

The response to my announcement of closing Women Empowering Women Now has been heartwarming. Women I haven’t heard from in a very long time told me how much they looked up to me, were inspired by me, and were genuinely excited to see what I do next.

I even had a few women tell me how sad they were. But, on the other hand, even a few said I inspired them to look at their life because they need to change.

It has been a wonderful experience so far, letting go. Closing down websites, and email addresses, unsubscribing from memberships and subscriptions, changing my social media profiles, and unfollowing people that no longer serve me (you know, the ones you only follow because of the industry you are in.)  IT FEELS SO GOOD!

As Thanksgiving 2022 comes to a close, I am thankful for my family, friends, and community. However, I know this is not the end but the beginning of a new chapter.

​I did it! I finally announced that I am forever closing the doors on Women Empowering Women Now, effective December 31, 2022. However, I wanted to tell it after the Expo officially.

There will be no more online or local networking meetings, conferences, interviews, expos, or business coaching. After seven years of putting together events, I look forward to ending that chapter.

I am grateful to all those who have supported me on this journey.

So many of you have asked me what I will be doing now. The short answer is family, travel, and paper crafting. But if you want more details, keep reading.

When I started WEWN, I was also doing business coaching. I also had a property management company called PINC Management that I passed on to my daughter so she could stay home to take care of her kids and bring in an income. I wanted her to have the same experience I had when she was a child; the freedom and flexibility to create your schedule.

Well, in the past two years, she has grown her business. So much that she officially needs help. So who better to help her with than me? The founder of the company!

My duties are very light; answering the phone, picking up mail, creating newsletters, following up with contractors, managing the website, and virtual assistant-type work. I will also watch my grandkids when needed (perks of working from home.)

I am also continuing with my paper crafting; planners, junk journals, traveler’s notebooks, mixed media, and memory keeping. It is a great time to document life! I will be turning this into a small business but enjoying the time to play and create for now.

Right now, I am enjoying my Unpack Your online Stash class that I do once a month, which encourages women to shop and unpack their stash.  

Other than that, my husband and I are making travel time a priority. Mini getaways, long weekends, and vacation time!

Now that the Expo is over, I look forward to spending Thanksgiving with my family and documenting the memories creatively!

Until next time.

I am finding more time to sit in silence. It’s incredible when you can sit in silence consistently and listen. For me, thoughts, decisions, and actions, all become clearer.

It’s interesting because I believe I follow the beat of my own drum. I have always been like this. It didn’t matter what class I took or the educational program; I applied what was essential or needed at the time and incorporated it.  

I’m not a follower.

Even when viewing social media, my bullshit meter is on full alert. Is it just me, or is everyone else tired of seeing the identical old posts from the same people in the same place they were a year ago talking about the same old problems?

Maybe I don’t have the patience anymore.

I may be getting older.

I may be growing spiritually.

I am happy with my journey and the changes I am making. Is everything perfect? Of course not. But I feel a sense of calm and peace like never before.

I have always been a very optimistic person viewing the glass as half full. But, of course, that has much to do with my upbeat daily mental health.

Silence has heightened my sense of me. It has allowed me to improve the things I want to improve. It has allowed me to focus more on what truly matters to me. It has allowed me to recognize the bullshit when I hear it sooner.

It has also allowed me to understand that I am more advanced in some spiritual areas than I thought. 

I don’t have to broadcast or teach upon it to prove who I am.

Silence has been able to help me connect with my higher self, and that’s all that matters.

The photo above is Bailey. She will be two years old on November 28th. I think most people that read the title "Love" would assume it would be about a romantic partner. Sorry to disappoint, but this is about my dog.

My husband and I decided that after my dog Jack passed that we would not purchase another dog so we could travel more and not worry about someone to look after the animals.

Even though I have had a dog my entire life, I agreed with him, but the universe had other plans.

I live next door to a Golden Retriever breeder. He hired me to take care of his dogs while he was away. One of his dogs was named Rosie, was pregnant. I started my early morning routine by coming in and finding out that she had given birth. I had come in and watched her give birth. The next puppy that came out was Bailey; although Rosie went after her like she was biting her, I picked her up and removed her. I didn't know.  

I called my daughter to have her come and help, and she arrived to help see the next puppy get delivered. She asked me to get a rag, and while I was away, she gave birth again, but this time she ate the puppy. I didn't know.

I soon realized this little puppy couldn't latch onto and drink milk, so I decided to hand-feed the puppy. I woke up every two hours to feed the puppy. The puppy was with me twenty-four hours, seven days a week.  

After a month of feeding her, I noticed mucus coming out of her nose, so I took her to my neighbor's vet. Unfortunately, I wasn't ready for the news he was about to deliver to me. She had a cleft palate (an opening at the roof of her mouth) and her back legs were a little deformed. So his recommendation was to have her "put down."

I cried all the way home. The puppy was under deposit, so my neighbor had to confirm if the person still wanted the puppy. The response was no. He then told me that I could keep her or he would take her to the vet to be "put down."

After caring for this little girl for over a month, there was no way I could put her down, and my husband agreed with me. His vet gave me this gadget that you need to stick down her throat to get food that would help nourish her. Something inside me told me another way, so I began researching it.

Thank God for the internet because it allows us to hear experiences from people who have tried other ways and had many successes.

We have since then had her cleft palate repaired. The operation was to close up the hole, but it wasn't a complete success; she does have an inch and a half slit opening.

Today she is thriving. She is not as big as her sisters. She tires out quickly. And is a picky eater who burps a lot. She is always by my side and goes with me to as many places as I can bring her. 

My heart is whole, and the love pours out of me whenever I see her. She came into my life for a reason, and I am so grateful.

I have been on a spiritual journey for a long time. I have met some incredible mentors and teachers through Women Empowering Women Now, who have helped me to develop and be more aware of who I am and how I want to live my life.

I am forever grateful for the lessons from the universe. I am awake and listening on purpose. As a former go-getter (I’m learning), I recognize the benefits of slowing down. Seriously, my health has improved. My relationships have improved. My sleep has improved. I’m paying attention to the universe, or the universe is throwing me a lot of hints these days. And the funny thing is, I am more productive than ever!

Through my Balance App, I have been meditating every morning for the past two months. This tool has been a significant change in my life. It has helped me to stop, be still and listen. Now for the first time, I am using meditation on the go.

I have always thought of myself as being very aware of my surroundings. I generally notice things that most people don’t. But now it seems to be heightened.

My spiritual gifts are growing; I know things before they happen. I can read a room fast. I can pick up on the energy of others. I am finally picking up the hints from beyond.

I still have a lot to learn, but I am proud of myself for finally listening to me.