I was a podcast guest!

Hello friends.

I am popping out of hibernation to share a wonderful experience I had recently. 

I was blessed to be featured on the She Hit Refresh podcast to share my own career refresh and my ideas on the wonderful opportunity that midlife brings. 

According to co-founder, Cepee, "She Hit Refresh is the only online community dedicated to helping women 30 years and older go from daydreaming about breaking free and starting a life of travel… to actually doing it!"

If you're over 30 and looking for your tribe, She Hit Refresh is a wonderful community to call home. 

I hope this holiday season finds you all happy and well. I'm excited to see what this new decade brings. 

What might your life look different in 10 years? What big dreams are simmering in your heart?

Consider giving this podcast a listen and see how you can turn up the burner on those dreams and make them happen. 

Happy holidays, friends! Much love to you in your corner of the world. 

Three on Thursday

1. Graphic Tees
I love graphic tees. I tend to use them to share my vibe. A second adolescence, maybe, but as Rachel Hollis said in Girl, Wash Your Face, "Other people's opinions of me are none of my business." Rock on!

2. Digital Nomad Cruise
This is an intriguing concept, whether you're an established digital nomad or just curious about the lifestyle. Here's a mini documentary about Digital Nomad Cruise and why it may appeal to you. 

3. Eggs Benedict
Nothing says brunch like runny egg goodness, Benedict style. I prefer savory foods to sweets when it comes to breakfast and brunch, so Eggs Benedict creates the perfect bite. I'm not a fan of the traditional style with Canadian bacon ham, so I seek out variations, like crab cakes or short rib or avocado to mix it up. Check out Buzzfeed's collection, from pulled pork to a corn bread base to elevate your benny to hipster level.

Thanks for Stephanie for the post idea. 

Ahora 19: Peeking out of the Rabbit Hole

I know that it has been a while; for me too. 

Every time I think about sitting down to write, something else take precedence, and it just never gets done.

While I have a few minutes this morning, I wanted to peek out of the rabbit hole and say hello. 

I miss you. 

Thanks for sticking around. 

Here's what is trending in my world these days. 

Learning
The in's and out's of my new job. It is like a rabbit hole; I begin one project, which detours into another and another. I LOVE my new job. I love working with my students and my co-workers, and the flexibility of location independence is a dream come true. Learning the platforms and grading assignments in a fairly self paced curriculum take time. There are times when I am inundated and other times, less so. I wouldn't change a thing. 


Drinking
Hot mulled apple cider. And Cinnamon Dolce coffee; I can thank my niece for this new obsession. 


Reading and planning to cook my way through...

Eating
Dinner With Julie's quick cassoulet. It's quick, it's easy, and it is delicious! It makes the house smell amazing too! With a glass of red, an arugula salad, and a warm baguette... bliss.

Watching
This is Us. If you haven't started this series, you can stream it free on Hulu. It's that good. 
And the soundtrack is playlist worthy. 



Exploring
Boston. We had friends in town last weekend, and we had the chance to play tour guide. 

In Baah-stin speak, the corner store. 

No matter where I go, Boston, you're my home. 

Loving
Being somewhat of a stay-at-home-dog-mom. It sounds ridiculous, I know; however, I love having the flexibility to take Gracie outside at lunch time to play. 

She seems to like it too. 

And squeak toys are the best. 

Fall colors? Yes, please. 

And Snap Chat filters for days...if you're on Snap Chat, add me... https://www.snapchat.com/add/alovelylifeind. I'm always looking for fun accounts to follow. 

Celebrating
My Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary. My brother and I planned to surprise my parents back in July. We did it, and it was wonderful. 

And Happy 4th Birthday to my lovely space in the universe. A Lovely Life, Indeed turned four on November 1st. 

Stressing

About the election...

This election gives me anxiety. The energy, the ads, the Facebook rants, the surprising jaw-dropping views of those I hold dear...I guess I do live in a bubble. A warm, happy bubble.

And this election compels me to retreat. 

But, it's critical that we get out there and vote, my American friends. 

We don't have to agree on candidate or ideology, but we do have to voice our choice. 

It's a big deal...and the world is watching. 

Still not sure? Take the quiz from I Side With and see who parallels your thinking the most. 

Also, read up on your state's ballot questions and carefully consider your options down ballot. Consider future legislation and the Supreme Court; it's not just about the executive branch. 

Okay. I am going to go and get some work done. Tell me...
What's happening now in your world? 
Let's catch up. 




Linking up with Kristin today. 

Celebrating Freedom: Day 10...An Overview and an Announcement

The last ten days of Natalie Sisson's Freedom Plan Blog Challenge were enlightening. 

I always knew my ultimate goal, but some of the details were a bit fuzzy. 

This challenge helped me clarify some of the unknown. 

Here are links to the topics I explored over the last ten days and how I responded to each prompt. 

Day 1: Finding Your Focus

Day 2: Discovering Your Why

Day 3: Creating a Vision: The Ideal Day

Day 4: Defining Your Superpowers

Day 5: The Power of Routine 

Day 6: Finding Your Tribe

Day 7: Imperfect Action

Day 8: Choosing Adventure

Day 9: Location Independence 

And now, day ten. 

Day 10: Meaningful Takeaways

Here's what I know for sure. 

Surround yourself with people who get it. 
People who don't chase their own goals have less capacity to fully support you in your quest. When things get tough, or when you start prioritizing the steps you need to take, those in your inner circle may not understand why you have to say no or why you need to do x, y, or z. 

Find your tribe. 
Find them in person, and if that's not possible, seek them out books and virtually...through podcasts and Facebook groups. And love those around you who may not understand, but can cheer you on the way that they can. 

See it and make it happen. 
And, the more you can visualize where you want to be, the better chance you have of achieving it. 

I'm living proof. 

I'm a vision board maker...the old school kind. I save my magazines, buy poster board and a glue stick, and every year...more or less, I assess and revisit goals. 

In January, I was part of a 10 day goal setting challenge, offered through a Facebook group by a coaching friend of mine, based on Chalene Johnson's 30-Day Push Goal Challenge. I struggled with the formatting and it wasn't coming together. 

I went back again. I reworked my push goal (and the steps it would take to achieve it) until it made sense to me. And then it did.

Ask and you shall receive. 

On Friday, September 30, 2016, I will leave the traditional brick and mortar school, which I love, to become a full time virtual teacher to foreign students who are earning a United States high school diploma. This is no reflection on my current position; I love my school and the littles who have climbed into my heart. 

This is an opportunity of a lifetime; one I cannot pass by. 

My push goal has been achieved. Officially, I am location independent. 

My virtual teaching job allows me the flexibility to work anywhere in the world with a wifi signal...freedom, indeed. 

I am beyond blessed.

And now, thanks to some of the work I did in this Freedom Plan 10 Day Blog Challenge, I'm ready to see how my Freedom Plan comes to life. 

It's an exciting time, indeed. 

Source

Do you want to create a Freedom Plan of your own? 

Consider doing the 10 Day Challenge and see for yourself what your life could look like? 

Discovering Your Why: Freedom Plan Blog Challenge...Day 2

What is on your Someday, I will.. list?

What gives you the fire of excitement in your belly?  

What makes you smile just thinking about it?

Why do you want to achieve the stuff of vision boards and push goals?

What is your why? What is the purpose for wanting what you want?

This is the focus of Day 2 of the Natalie Sisson Freedom Plan Blog Challenge.

For me, the line between why and results was blurred, until I started this exercise and really began asking questions about why and how. 

Is travel and exploration my why, or is it a result? 

Is freedom to make my own choices and live life on my own terms my why, or is it a result?

And after round after round of something akin to the chicken or the egg scenario, voila...the blur became clear. 

For me, life by design is my why and location independence is my how. 

Life by design allows me the freedom to pursue my passions and hobbies. 

It allows me the freedom to explore curiosities and ask questions and find out more information. 

For me, my why...life by design can be achieved by my how...location independence. 

My why is clear. My how is clear. 

How to achieve the how is what must come next. 



Do you know your why? What drives you? 


It's not too late to participate in this free Freedom Plan Blog Challenge? Sign up here. 

Finding Your Focus...Natalie Sisson's Freedom Plan Blog Challenge: Day 1

I first heard Natalie Sisson's name after listening to a podcast with Warren and Betsy Talbot, of An Uncluttered Life (formerly Married with Luggage). The idea of a Suitcase Entrepreneur was intriguing for someone hopelessly and happily infected with wanderlust, like me, and luckily, the Señor. I began listening to her podcast and learning from her experience and that of her guests as they designed their lives on their own terms. 

Since then, I have done quite a bit of personal development in lifestyle design and location independence. I have joined online communities of like-minded people who support and encourage each other and who share their challenges and victories as they pursue their own life by design. 

When Brittany of Living Unconditionally, one such online community, mentioned that she was participating in Natalie's 10 Day Freedom Plan Blog Challenge, I thought this was the perfect opportunity for some clarification on what our life would look like when we achieved our own push goals.

So here we are...day one. Today's focus is on what holds us back.

Interestingly, when your goals become clear, you want success to happen overnight. Suddenly, motivation is in abundance...that is, until you hit your first roadblock and the motivation train derails into a ditch. 

Drilling down to what holds us back can be difficult to name. 

Is it procrastination, self doubt, imposter syndrome? 

If we keep digging, it seems that the root of all road blocks, at least for me, is fear. 

Fear blocks progress. Fear tells us we're not good enough or that what we're doing will fail. 

Fear keeps us from taking risks and learning from our mistakes. 

Fear makes bumps in the road seem like ravines from which we can never emerge. 

Fear is what takes the wheel and drives our motivation train into the ditch. 

And that is certainly true for me. 

Fear tells me I can't. 

Fear asks me, "Who do you think you are?" and "Who are you kidding?"

and asks, "Why bother?"

Fear says, "I told you so," when things don't go as planned. 

and "Let it go," when I think about giving up. 

Sometimes Fear gets the best of me. 

It manifests as procrastination to the point of inaction and at times, it's a battle fought one day at a time. 

So, what's the solution? 

Acknowledge fear for what it is and do what you want anyway. 

Easier said than done, I'm sure, but what's the alternative?

In her book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Elizabeth Gilbert wrote...

That seems reasonable. 



How about you? Is anything holding you back from living the life you want?

Do you want to participate in this free Freedom Plan Blog Challenge? Sign up here. Here's Natalie with the information on Day 1.