My list of projects and practices don’t change much from day to day, week to week or even month to month. Consistency is definitely a staple in my life. It makes room for the odd occasion where I want to do something spontaneous. I know that my “regular” life is covered so that I can do things like drop everything and take off for Halifax to visit with my daughter for a few days or fit in another more spontaneous opportunity.
Though things are fundamentally changing around here, I expect that much will stay the same. This is an ideal opportunity for reflection which may reveal areas that need attention. I’m going to rely on the areas discussed in The Desire Map to make sure everything is covered:
LIVELIHOOD & LIFESTYLE | career. money. home. style. possessions. fashion. travel. gifts. sustainability. resources. | In recent years this has been the most solid part of my life as it has been my primary focus and the basis from which all other things exist. I’ve learned a lot and have become very confident in areas that used to scare me half to death. This is also the part of my life that is going to go through some upheaval coming up soon. This newfound confidence is going to be tested and I have all the faith in the world that this new venture will meet with tremendous success.
Work on: starting up a new management group with my business partner – deal with all of the little details so as to pave a smooth path for us.
BODY & WELLNESS | healing. fitness. food. rest & relaxation. mental health. sensuality. movement. | So much physical and mental healing over the past while. Lots of hard work – worth it, but man oh man. There is very little about me that resembles the Lee of a decade ago – I’m far more like my 25-year-old self than the 45-year-old version. I’m now moving into a new phase of self-care that includes a big exhale for raising four spectacular adults. I’m still their mother but it’s not a daily grind anymore. The issues might be more complex but they are not constant. Now there is space for me to welcome more healing on a deeper more personal level. I have come to terms with my weight and believe wholeheartedly that recent events will allow for some of that armour to shed.
Work on: creating a sustainable daily practice that includes sleep, meditation, music, connection, movement, meals and the occasional massage.
CREATIVITY & LEARNING | artistic and self-expression. interests. education. hobbies. | This is how I show up in the world – I don’t know that there is a craft or hobby I haven’t tried. Well, quilting, but that’s just not going to happen. For as long as I can remember, I have created memory books – first the lumpy-bumpy scrapbooks and now clean digital books. For as long as I can remember, I have taken courses – so many courses. The list is seemingly endless. More often than not, I get close to the end and then drop a course as I know at 90% in that it is not working for me.
Work on: finish writing the book and then submit it; determine which projects will bring me the most satisfaction and focus on those rather than reinventing the wheel; and, obtain my certification in creative writing from the University of Toronto.
RELATIONSHIPS & SOCIETY | romance. partnership. intimacy. friendship. family. children. community. causes. | With the exception of relationships with close friends and my family, I have had little interest in partnership, romance or intimacy as I focused on raising my kids, my own healing and how I choose to show up in the world. Now? There is something to be said for feeling deeply loved and profoundly safe.
Work on: welcome the next steps as I show up with curiosity and candour at every opportunity to deepen my connection with those I have invited to share in my life.
ESSENCE & SPIRITUALITY | soul. inner self. truth. intuition. faith. | Some of my most profound changes in me have been in this area. Once I leaned solidly into all things woo there was no stopping me! The tests I have wethered were made all the more manageable because I have the energy tools to deal with pretty much anything that comes my way. Trust and faith will sustain me.
Work on: staying open and willing to learn more about what remains a mystery to me; as well as practicing more regularly those things I know work so well.