The holidays bring about a host of fun traditions. They’re how we reconnect with loved ones because, let’s face it, life often gets in the way. Chances are you have some of your own, whether passed down in your family or self-made. As for me and mine, we’ve got a handful of traditions that make the holidays – and Christmas in particular – even more special.

If you’ve visited my About page (and if you’re here, you probably have), you know this much about me. At my core, I am an explorer. That translates into a love of the outdoors and the mountains. You’ll usually find me snowboarding, hiking, camping, backpacking, and mountain biking. I love visiting National Parks. That desire for exploration, that longing for adventure, is a wellspring for creativity. 

July is National Anti-Boredom Month, and July 5, specifically, is National Workaholics Day. That’s certainly an interesting collision of concepts: staving off boredom and working too much. This is the perfect time to unpack what happens when creativity doesn’t flow freely because you’re overworked. You’ve undoubtedly heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” That 100 percent applies here. You can’t produce your best work if your creative wellspring is dry. 

Quitting scuba diving was a struggle for me in more ways than one. Firstly, my love for nature made me feel like I was turning against an inherent part of myself. Secondly, as a mom, I want to participate in activities with my kids. Once I moved past those hurdles, though, I realized there are so many things I can do with them that don’t compromise my boundaries. 

At heart, I’ve always been an artist, dabbling in all things related to the arts since I was a kid. I taught myself calligraphy and portraiture. Being creative was second nature to me. I had this intrinsic desire to create, but as a child and throughout my adolescence, I only thought of it as a hobby. When high school rolled around, I took art classes. My teacher told my mom I should consider an artistic career after graduation. Knowing it could be a legitimate pursuit sparked something within me.

Spring is a time of renewal, and with that comes new endeavors, projects, and chapters. I’m thrilled that this spring opened the double doors to a significant new chapter. Drum roll, please … my husband and I are property owners! We now proudly own Sundeck Cottages on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.

The pandemic definitely played a big role in forcing me to look at my services and figure out other revenue streams.

It's a scary thing to hire someone... but completely worth it! I just recently (over the past two years) started hiring for a variety of things that I need done for my business and I don't have the capacity to handle.

I’ve been reading a lot of books lately… some about career, some about parenting and some in between. But the message that keeps coming up for me is about having a purpose.

Burnout = TAKE A BREAK. There really is no way around this other than getting away from your computer and get out.

It's taken me years to figure out the best flow for but I finally feel like I have nailed it! My point is that it's different for everyone.

I consider myself lucky because I've been working remotely for a long time now! Happy to share my TOP 10 THINGS I've learned over the years.