Reconnect to Yourself Through Painting

When is the last time when you really connected with yourself? When after a busy day, or week, or month - or even a year - you took some time off from all the other people and assignments from your life and spent some half an hour or 45 minutes or even an hour only with yourself?

It is what I asked myself a couple of weeks ago, when during my time of 'rest and relaxation' I decided to book some creative classes for getting my self back to...me. My creativity boost is not something new for me, as once in a while I do take some time off and keep myself busy with various creative, self-centered activities. I did when I booked a full class of over 3 months of Chinese painting, or when I developped various idea-inspired home-made decorations projects, jewellery or even painting. 

However, the last 3 years as a fully self-employed single mother were particularly difficult - although rewarding - and the last priority on my agenda was painting or anything connected with art. After all, when think and schedule some artsy moment when you have way too many bills to pay, parenting priorities and other house chores that too often are overwhelming for just a simple human being?

I was only partially right. The positive energy and focus spent in one hour of 'me time' is as valuable as a healthy afternoon nap. It is regenerative, positivity boosting and healthy for your mind. Although not a great painter, that one hour quality time I spent with myself scribbling with colours, was a deeply reconnecting time which I recommend to anyone, especially those busy women coping with a lot of home and work stress. 

From many points of view, it is as valuable as a one hour of therapy: you can freely talk - but with yourself, you are enjoying a space of freedom and creativity. I also recommend to use some light, meditation music which will create a special relaxing ambiance.

This art class I took was just two weeks ago, but it looks so far away in terms of my inner time. I didn't schedule a new class but I know that my weekly program should include at least one hour per week of creativity. This time, I am decided to keep the promise to myself...

What about you? When was it the last time when you took some 'me time'? Would love to hear your impressions.

'How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings'...As Simple as That

As someone who worked her whole life in environments where men feelings were put on a precious tray and displayed carefully in glass boxes with the specific direction 'do not hurt', I know quite well what comedian and public speaker Sarah Cooper says in 'How to be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings'. But compared to over the half of the women that were probably the inspiration of the book I grew up to simply not care about feelings when it comes to work. Should I really care about 'how I feel' when I have a good mind? Although I was aware of harassment, unfair gender paid gap, neglect of family needs of a woman - especially if single and with a child eventually, it was no man that ever scared me enough to give up my rights. I raised my voice when my - excuse my French  - idiot male boss harassed me and tried to belittle me for months, but also when some women in power positions were just tried to wrongly emulate the masculline management. And I survived pretty well.

Sarah Cooper's book - coming up in a bookstore near you this end October - is for those weak of heart women looking for a hilarious survival guide in a male-dominated tech, or publishing or high-end corporation environment. Add what is close to your professional home. 'Being ambitious, seeking power, showing knowledge, these are all dangerous paths if we really want to be successful and get a head'. 

In order to help you out, this book offers creative yet simple illustrations with simple explanations, blank pages to doole while men are explaining things and highly  inspiring titles such as: 'How to talk like a man but still be seen as a woman', 'How to advance your career without blowing it in everyone's face', 'How to bury your true self to work and then hide it completely'. Plus stickers suggestions for accomplishments 'such  as treating a woman like a human'. 'When all else fails, a set of wearable mustaches is included to allow women to seem more manlike, canceling out any need to be less threatening'. In case you need some easy to understand references, the chart 'toddler vs. CEO' helps you perfectly to figure out what some highly displayed emotions are all about. 

It is a hilarious but 'oh, so true' read. Read it loud and laugh out louder, and keep being authentic doing exactly the opposite the women characters in this book are doing.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

How I Spent My August

Sometimes, you need to feel that only sky is the limit!

I am rarely - if ever - doing round up monthly posts, sharing my latest events, unless is there something special going on. Like the birth of a new baby, or a new job or some important blogging and writing milestone. This time, there is nothing that important I want to talk about, but just how, with a healthy mindset, a lot of motivation and discipline, I succeeded to have one of the most productive month of the year.

As a single mother with a busy life and a lot of interests, it is hardly a day where I am not doing or planning to do something new. Very often, my plans are rewarded and I am left with the feeling of the good job done, but also the obligation and motivation to continue. 

Why then this month was different of any other month? What made it so special for writing a full blog post about it? 

The difference was that compared to any other month of my life, at the very beginning of it, I said to myself and to my friend: 'This month, I want to take the full advantage of every day'. This is what I have in mind every single day, but I rarely made it public or keep repeating it often. I am just taking for granted every day but without openly expressing the gratitude or explaining how I will be grateful for. 

Once I made the statement, I observed more actively my eveyday schedule, with a specific focus on my achievements. Indeed, things looked much different and extremely refreshing. Every day I achieved and even overpassed my daily plan of steps; I started to walk barefoot in the garden; I started my days early in the morning, with a busy schedule ahead and planning to keep this schedule for at least 6 days the week; I concluded some interesting collaborations for my blogs; I covered a lot of topics and features on my blogs; I had some important meetings for my future professional plans; I was able to have at least two interesting trips, one of them abroad; I did some valuable and well paid freelance working; I've spent some quality time with my friends; I tried at least two new recipes; I tried to better organise my finances and manage my savings; I improved my social media coverage, by spending some targeted time networking on the right channels; I did an extensive blogging planning for the topics I want to cover in the next weeks. And there were for sure many more achievements, such as the interesting books I've read and reviewed, and the time shared helping people in need and also the unique time playing and learning together with my son. I also succeeded to worry less and avoid stresssful situations and individuals. 

Of course my life is far from being perfect and I am happy with that. But I cannot deny the positive effects of just a single sentence: 'This month, I want to take the full advantage of every day'. It gave me so much energy and motivation that I can go much easier over the tensed and unhappy moments. 

This is how I want to spend from now on, every month, finding the right motivation and strength to succeed, whatever the circumstances. Indeed, when you think that only sky is the limit, you end up feeling just like that!