Category: lifestyle

life: coronavirus fears and travel plans…

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So I’m traveling this week… It’s a decision I’ve been wrestling with: Do I risk it? Do I stay home? I’m traveling for work, but I doubt they’d cover the funds if I cancel the trip. I tell myself, I’m going to Knoxville, it’s not a hot zone… but what if?

My greatest source of anxiety stems from the stream of constant updates coming at me while at work. I can escape the news at home (and have since I’ve been off twitter), but the emails are near constant while I’m at work. There are 2(3?) cases reported in Florida (as of the last update I read), none in my area, but there’s a very real threat to my not-in-the-best-of-health parents and grandmother. I’m low-key terrified for them. I don’t want to panic, but FFS this is a mess of a situation.

I’ve never been so anxious about a 4-day trip. What happens if they get sick and I can’t get home? GAH! Anxiety level high!

Fingers crossed and good health to all!

 

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life: January – month in review

month-in-review-january

Plans were made, habits were started, and more tarot cards were read.

Some good things:

  • Finished Draft 1 of the secret angst project.
  • Completed all 30 days of YWA’s Home yoga program.
  • Started decluttering the stuff that’s been taking over my home for the last year or so.
  • Read some good books. (video coming this week)
  • Limited my coffee intake and stayed within budget (for lattes).

Some challenges:

  • Grumpy face kitty had to go to the vet. Lots of trauma for all. She’s ok though; have to monitor her bladder sitch and feed her a vet diet (I have thoughts, but not going to challenge this).

 

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video: 2010 – 2020 | 10 year retrospective 🌟 goals and achievements

Looking back on the last ten years: moving forward, growing in my field, and considering non-traditional markers of success.

How do you measure success?

Take 5 minutes to write what you did in the last ten years, you’ll probably surprise yourself.

MENTIONED

Smart Podcast, Trashy Books, Episode 386: High Fives and Forget ‘Should:’ Talking Goals and Resolutions with Scarlett Cole

 

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life: 2020 intentions

2020-intentions

More tarot practice

More daily yoga

More walking in general

More adventuring and “flaneuring”

More cooking

More personal and professional development

More [herbal] tea

More joy

Less twitter

Less self-criticism

Less coffee

Less distraction

Less of the stuff that saps my energy

 

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life: April – month in review

Month in review april

Met my Camp NaNo goal! 30k words = a solid start.

Tried my hand at 1st person POV and did not hate it.

Took a writing retreat (technically, still on a writing retreat).

Found myself an amazing vintage bag c. 1994 and am loving it. It’s classic, mahogany leather, and holds all the essentials.

Finally created my author website. It’s just a placeholder, but it’s a start – gdcowan.com

Set up a coffee budget and it’s been pretty life changing (video to come).

 

The Bag

life: Feb-Mar month in review

Month in review - Feb - Mar.png

 

I plotted my next writing project, and adopted a new method to take control of the middle before it becomes messy (one of my greatest issues as a writer).

Sent out my first batch of queries. And received my first batch of rejections. It’s a learning experience and I received valuable feedback. (ta!)

I’m still working the #ootd tag and maintained a steady stream of posts @lifeingminor despite less than ideal lighting conditions. Such is the curse of the early morning riser.

Received some disappointing news – I have a confirmed cyst (actually, I have more than one, but only one is concerning). Had an MRI and await results.

My #projectpan is going strong – I measured my Kosas and Besame lipsticks and have seen some real progress. Meanwhile, my eye shadows are starting to show a dip and I’ve been playing with various eye looks for daytime.

Went to Knoxville for a conference. The city was lovely and the food was great. Fun times (and too many impulse buys).

life: 2019 goals and a recap

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Happy New Year! It’s time for the obligatory New Year’s goal post. But, first, let’s celebrate what went right in 2018.

Good things in 2018

  • I got my promotion!
  • Celebrated 1 year of podcasting (The Bluestocking Circle Podcast)
  • Wrapped up another round of edits with the intention to start querying
  • Restarted my fitness “journey”
  • Committed to eating less meat and adopted a more plant-based diet
  • Committed to letting things go, both emotionally and physically
  • Discovered The Four Tendencies and learned a lot about myself (video to come!)

All good things indeed.

Goals for 2019

  1. Continue to focus on health – dealing with PCOS and hypo symptoms, and using food to heal my body.
  2. Start querying!
  3. Work on a new (old) manuscript
  4. Focus on mental health. I’ve been dealing with more stress than usual and it’s starting to manifest in physical symptoms (see goal 1).

I keep my goals simple. #1 and 4 will definitely affect my ability to accomplish 2 and 3, but I’m optimistic.

What are your goals for 2019? Let me know in the comments 🙂