In honor of World Introvert Day (Jan 2), I’ve published a new post on the Introvert Retreat blog. Why are we celebrating introverts? Here’s an article I like about that.
And, in honor of January being NAPO’s Get Organized & Be Productive (GO) Month, I’m organizing all my contributions (thus far) here, for you.
I love the week between Christmas and the New Year! For me it’s a strange, beautiful time of solitude and reflection. A time to relax and indulge, maybe do a little planning for the future, not knowing or caring what day it is. Um…not unlike every day of this past year…
And what a year it has been! It seemed so much longer, and was packed with so many more unpredicted, unpleasant events than any other year in memory.
How many times have I heard – and uttered – these phrases?
I’m blaming 2020.
It’s 2020’s fault.
Of course that happened — it’s 2020!
I often hear people bemoan the fact that someone has not replied to their email.
They assume the other person is purposely avoiding them. What?!
Sure, it’s possible that they are snubbing you. But it’s far more likely that their lack of response has nothing to do with you in any way. Don’t take it personally!
Before YOU get upset that someone hasn’t replied to YOUR email, consider the many reasons why this might be the case (paying special attention to #14).
I’m all for “buying local”. Really, I am. There’s nothing like supporting an individual or family that lives in, and gives back to, your own community!
The world seems to have a love/hate relationship with Amazon these days.
But sometimes — if you want to support a local seller, artisan, or author — you really have no choice but to do it through Amazon.
Less clutter. More life. This is what Organized for Life’s tag line has always promised. (Are you ready to rise above your clutter, and find the freedom of getting organized for life?)
Later, as my focus and service offerings changed and grew, I advocated: Less clutter. More stories. (Are your photos and memorabilia organized and shareable? Is it time to tell your story?)
And another promise: Less clutter. More peace. (Create peace of mind, for you and your family, by making decisions now so they don’t have to later.)
Now I am proposing that the whole process really starts here: More mindfulness. Less clutter. (The more mindful you are of your environment, your thoughts, and your actions, the less clutter you will have in all areas of your life.)
This year has been like no other in our lifetime. What an opportunity to re-think the holidays!
Whatever we do this COVID holiday season may — by default, or by design — also affect our future.
What’s important to YOU during the holidays?
Here are some things that you will naturally be doing less of this year…or, that you can totally get away with doing less of. Doing LESS of what you usually do might be a relief. It also might pave the way — and free up energy, time, and funds — to do MORE of something else you might enjoy.
Even the cat wore a mask!
In April I wrote a blog post called Our Ancestors and the 1918 Spanish Flu, not realizing there would be more. But…of course, there’s more! This is a marathon, not a sprint, and COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon.
Note: The 1918-1919 flu pandemic was often referred to as the “Spanish Flu” because of mistaken beliefs about its origin. I use that term, too, because accuracy and political correctness are not always helpful when searching the internet. (In fact, it may have started in Kansas: How the Horrific 1918 Flu Spread Across America.)
Me (left) with genealogy rock star Cyndi Ingle.
Are you ready to explore your family history?
Here are some genealogy resources to help you get started!
This list is by no means exhaustive! It’s mostly a list of websites and tools I use myself. If you want exhaustive, check out Cyndi’s List below. I have used Cyndi’s List since its inception in 1996, and got to meet Cyndi Ingle in person when she came to visit the New Mexico Genealogical Society a few years ago.
Please let me know if you find something here that helps you!
Have you seen the new Netflix film, The Social Dilemma?
It’s an eye-opening docudrama about how social media platforms manipulate our behavior, even beyond the point of their original intent to make money from targeted advertising. You may have heard this before: If you’re not paying for the product, it means you’re the product.
Every September, Photo Managers, photo retailers, software companies, and service providers collaborate to hold in-person and virtual events aimed at supporting your photo organizing needs through education and inspiration.
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