I started writing this post in early February. It’s now March as I finish up with Betty cuddled up in an oversized shirt much like this photo. We had a foot of snow this past week on top of rock-hard snow banks that aren’t going anywhere for a while, and neither is winter according to the 10-day forecast.
Winter in New England is difficult. After the new year, once the shininess of ‘new year, new you’ thoughts fade, the days are a bit longer than the previous, but the cold temps linger. March is fickle. I’ve been watching several online coaching videos. They have a similar theme: finding productivity in a state of overwhelm and distraction, or challenging yourself to realize your dreams or making time for self-care with meditation, and so forth—which all sounds pretty.
But seriously, I just need to get real with myself and realize what my goals are, what’s feasible, and what I need to do to get there. I like the idea of literally counting down from five prompting me to stop dwelling on the to-do list repeating in my mind and just get the task done, which has been highly effective for me. And that leads me to this first blog post in a while.
In the past year, I have taken time from the corporate busy work to concentrate on several personal projects that bring me more gratification—one being my online dog apparel shop. The site has been online for 18 years. I create dog sweaters and scarves and have some fun products, but I’ve had mediocre sales over the years due to production down-time or lack of real marketing. Now that social media has become more prevalent, the free exposure makes a difference. In the last year, and after years of near neglect, I found the energy to breathe a little life into my little online shop creating new variations of existing products and sparking a partnership with a friend who helps me produce my signature crew sweater for small- and medium-sized dogs.
I’ve also donated so many bags and boxes of goods that don’t spark joy (thanks to the konmari method), rearranged the furniture (again), joined networking groups that are a bit more relaxed than the more structured types, and completely updated my online store site with photos of dogs wearing my products that I’ve taken in my basement studio. I’ve also updated my design/photography site with samples of work so that I can snag some creative freelance and pay a few bills. That sounds like a lot, and I need to recognize that and give myself a pat on the back.
I do tend to overload the to-do list, and then I get overwhelmed. I’m trying to be satisfied with marking off three, two, or at least one decent sized item off the list, although the list grows. I amuse myself when I see lists on ripped out notepad pages from months and even years ago, and the same things are listed.
In the words of Mark Twain, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” The frog is that thing that you’re the least motivated to do, but I agree that motivation is garbage, because you never feel like doing it. This interview is inspiring and worth a watch.
On the bright side, I have a new guy. His name is Luke, a Hungarian import. He’s an 18-month old frenchie. Betty has definitely secured her spot in the pack with her little reminders to him of what is hers and that she gets first rights of refusal on everything. He’s every girl’s dream—cute and easy-going, never fights back, and loves to cuddle. Swoon. I’ll post more details in an upcoming post.
the foodie and the dog 