Autumn got away from me as I went through some unexpected, yet welcome, personal changes that took much of my time and attention. I got to mid-December and realized I didn’t have a plan for next year or even an inkling of what I might want for myself as I meet the new decade.
With the help of Susannah Conway, Elise Blaha Cripe and Danielle LaPorte, I was able to wrap my head around the happenings of 2019 and come up with a loose framework for how I want 2020 and beyond to show up for me.
My review of 2019 revealed that I am clear on what works and what doesn’t. I plan to continue only with what works – with ease and flow. No more settling or forcing. I am releasing all habits, those things I thought I wanted and needed, in order to make room for those things that will fulfill and sustain me.
So far, 2020 and the beginning of the new decade looks like:
WINTER | Classes resume for all my kids still in school. The push will be on for raising all GPAs. | A new website will be designed to support our new Seanchai Media Group venture. | Claire worked over the holidays and she’s getting a healthy dose of “adulting”. | Chloé will figure out her living accommodation for September. | Caden starts his first non-volunteer job as a busboy at Jack Astors. Good thing he’s had plenty of practice at home. | A recording session in Nashville is on the schedule. I’m excited to be a part of it. | All of the new furniture will arrive at the condo in Toronto. | Cole will turn 24. | Much promotion of VoxxLife products and philosophy will occur. | The “graduation” gathering of DreamQuest will happen in Sanibel Island, FL. I’m 99% sure I’ll be signing up again. Good things happen when I’m with CBR in the DQ container. | The decorating project in Oakville will wrap up. I’ve had little to do with the decisions and am looking forward to how it all comes together. | Gall bladder surgery is scheduled but has already been bumped twice, so who knows? | Our Legends of Hockey events are going to happen in Kingston, Ottawa and Oakville. I’m super excited to get that underway. | The kids have corresponding reading weeks and I hope they go someplace amazing: Barcelona? Copenhagen? Amsterdam? | We have tickets for Hamilton in Toronto. | I’ll be heading to the Alt Summit in Palm Springs. | After swearing off attending any more concerts we have tickets for The Zac Brown Band.
SPRING | Birthday season is underway with 3 of 6 upcoming this spring. Caden turns 20 and nineteen days later, Chloé will turn 21. | James Taylor and Bonnie Rait? Yes, please! | Cole will write his last set of final exams in his undergrad experience to obtain his degree in English Literature with minors in Indigenous Studies and Digital Humanities. | I’m scheduled to attend the MOM2.0 Summit in Los Angeles. At this writing, I’m waffling. To what end? What will I get out of it to help me in my decisions going forward? | I have to book Cole’s graduation dinner and mother-son trip. | I am going back to Canyon Ranch in Tucson with my sister. | Chloé will wrap up Year 3 and Caden will finish his Year 2. Time is flying by! | My bet is that by spring Claire will likely be back in Ontario.
SUMMER | I’m heading to Cape Cod for ten days with an open door policy: whoever wants to show up is welcome. | Chloé is going back to work at Onondaga. | Cole will be at Queen’s University for the summer earning a business certification. | Caden will likely pick up as many shifts as he can at work – or even get a second job or take a summer course. | We will all be glued to the television to witness the drama from the Tokyo Olympics. | I will attend UofT Continuing Studies in Creative Writing courses at both the Mississauga and St. George campuses. | I will turn 56. | I hope to attend a writing retreat with Brian Henry back at Arowhon Pines.
AUTUMN | Back to school season for two: Chloé in Edinburgh and Caden in Toronto. | Claire will turn 25. | Thanksgiving will be spent in Cape Cod, fingers crossed. | Other than that, who knows? Autumn seems impossibly far away.
AMIDST IT ALL | I will be attending reformer pilates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with Jackie at her new studio. I enjoy it so much. I’m feeling strong and flexible and plan to continue. | I will post to the blog as consistently as I can, offering fun and uplifting content. I promise to always show up as my authentic (read: flawed) self. | Tucker and Finn will be walked and fed and groomed and well-loved. | My home will be 100% exactly how I want it to be, inside and out, one drawer and room at a time. | I will write toward the completion of my novel for an hour every day. | I will meditate twice every day. | I will try new recipes as well as new restaurants. | My one little word (Joy) will be explored. | Health is a priority and all doctor and dentist appointments will be attended as well as all medications and supplements taken. | I will fully engage in my spiritual practice, keeping what works and letting go of what doesn’t. | I will make space for travel adventures to places new to me as well as old favourites. | I will play with my camera as much as possible. | I will be more active in my online store adding new products. | I will keep up with my annual book using Cathy Zielske’s Scrapbook Your Year method. | I will participate in the annual Week In The Life project. | Every five weeks I will go to Euphoria for a haircut and Zenbar Healing Studio for pampering and maintenance. | Tea, lunches and dinners with friends will be enjoyed. | Books will be read and who knows, maybe one will be written. | I will be more present on Instagram. | I will see more movies and binge watch more great shows. | I will continue to be the best never wife he’ll ever have.
