Hello, friends!

We’re six weeks into the new year and a new decade. For some, the optimism is still high and those new bullet journals and paper planners are fueling our motivation.

But for others, 2020 already feels like an uphill slog. And the never-ending winter weather isn’t helping. Before you send me a message or post a comment declaring that the mid-South doesn’t even know the meaning of a real winter, I’d like to remind my audience that I lived in Alaska for almost twenty years. Thirty degrees (or often forty) below zero was the norm. Snow boots weren’t fashionable. Uggs were definitely NOT a thing. Winter gloves never quite kept our fingertips warm. The air was raw and the weather constantly antagonized us. By the time we got to January, spring still seemed years away.

Even though I moved away a long time ago, I haven’t forgotten how hard Alaskans worked to combat the elements. And the older I get, the more I notice how much we all struggle in our own winter seasons. Maybe your weather is great. Perhaps you’ve moved to the land of endless sunshine and moderate temperatures. While you can’t remember the last time you saw a snowflake outside your window, I’m guessing you’ve known a metaphorical winter. A barren season. The absence of emotional connection with other humans. We’ve all endured difficult emotional and physical hardships. Sometimes we need a friend to help us deal. Recently I read a great post by Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy and she shared a great post called 3 Things Saving My Life Right Now. You can read it here. She also extended an invitation to share our own 3 things.

Here’s mine:

Reading Great Books

This probably is not a surprise. I love writing fiction and I also adore reading amazing books. Escaping into a fictional world and getting swept into the characters’ journeys helps me relax. Not only does an incredible story entertain me, it also inspires me to write well. On a side note, I’ve also given myself permission to abandon books that aren’t working for me. I used to feel compelled to keep reading all the way to the end, even if I was miserable. Nope. Not anymore. I have several books going at once and an audio book I’m listening to as well. So far, my favorite book of 2020 is Rachel Hauck’s The Fifth Avenue Story Society. I highly recommend!

Getting Crafty

As our boys have grown and the pace of life has ebbed and flowed, I’ve noticed my creative juices have mostly been channeled into writing. While I’m thankful for the opportunities that have come my way in publishing, the writing business is exactly that, a business. Sometimes I don’t want to “work” in the evenings and just want to hang out. Recently I revisited my craft closet and blew the proverbial dust off some half-finished projects. Cross-stitching is a craft I’ve always enjoyed. Currently I’m trying to finish the birth announcement for our youngest. He just turned 10. Don’t judge.

Going Outside

Maybe my 3rd thing should actually be owning a Goldendoodle because it’s our dog Finn who actually motivates me to go outdoors. We walk between 2 and 3 miles almost every day, in all kinds of weather. He loves to be outside and we both need the exercise. It’s a great time to listen to audio books and my favorite podcasts. The fresh air gets me motivated to tackle the rest of my day as well. Exercising isn’t easy and yet I always feel better once I’ve made the effort.

Your turn:

Leave a comment and tell me about 3 things saving you from winter. Then head over to Anne’s post and read all the amazing suggestions in her comments too.

Thanks for stopping by!