Mombie – a bit of everything

A low key victory

Last night, I submitted a grant application, utterly unstressed, 24 hours in advance of the deadline.

Earlier in the day, I submitted an application for a different grant over 36 hours before the deadline.

I’ve occasionally turned in grant applications early but this is one of the first times that it has happened by design rather than by luck.

I worked on both of these applications in little bits, got help and feedback, did revisions, added extra material, for more feedback, and was still able to get them both in early.

I even took 4 days off over the weekend.

I’m really proud of myself for this process.

I actually enjoyed putting the application together because I had plenty of time to think.

One of my ongoing goals is to spend more time working on things in small amounts instead of trying to do them in one fell swoop and this is a very promising start.

Go me!

Plans for October and beyond

This year has been ridiculous.

Way too much stress, way too many challenges, way too much to do.

I am determined to put that all behind me and have a low stress rest-of-year.

What will that look like?

Plenty of time to exercise and to declutter my house.

Keeping my work hours really limited.

Taking more time for art – and putting boundaries around that time.

Rest. Rest. Rest.

A great weekend

I spent this whole weekend doing stuff I love doing – telling stories, connecting with people, hanging out with my husband.

This time away wasn’t fully a vacation but it was a way to reset, a way to take time away, to give my brain a break.

I feel rested and refreshed.

Early Morning

It’s 6:14am and I have been awake for at least an hour.

This is the second time this week that I have been lying awake in the early morning listening to my husband sleep and just letting my mind wander wherever it wants to go.

I’m not distressed about being awake and there’s nothing bothering me, I’m just…not asleep.

I know this is pretty common for women my age and if it starts happening regularly I will work on some habits in hopes of sleeping better.

But, for now, I’m perfectly happy to lie awake musing until I either fall asleep or I feel the need to get up and make tea.

This morning, I’m sitting up in bed with my Moroccan Mint tea brewing in a cup next to me on one side and himself sleeping on the other.

Not a bad start to a day, really.

On an adventure

A close up photo of a dark pink flower.
A close up photo of a pink flower with a yellow centre. The edges of the petals are tattered but it is still bright and cheery.

My husband and I are off on an adventure – me to a storytelling festival and him to a cycling race…which happened to be on the same weekend in two places less than an hour from each other.

So we are taking a 4 day weekend to hang out, relax, and have separate adventures from the same home base.

This is our first vacation in years and I am absolutely thrilled.