One of the many advantages of doing the daily diaries is that I get to see some of the patterns in my life. One thing I realized is that I definitely go through phases where I am unproductive, negative, and uninspired each month. Sometimes they last a few days, sometimes longer. But it happens each time. More significantly, it passes each time. It comes and it goes. Knowing that it will go again really helps me tackle each new one a bit more calmly. I don’t feel as desperate because I know it’s ephemeral.
I’ve been in one of these slumps lately. I feel tired and negative and sad and worn out. Even though I tell myself to rest, I scold myself for resting. For not getting things done. But alas….this too shall pass.
I must say, even in my most uninspired days, I am still exercising every day. I am still taking photos and writing my gratitude down. These things are now ingrained in me. They are not negotiable. And that makes me happy.
It also makes me happy that Nathaniel’s learned to smile at the camera. He’s going through the terrible twos lately so these photos are that much more precious to me.
I spent my day working and trying to let myself mope. Jake was home so he went to get David and it was library day so they read his book on minerals together.
Then we did some paper snowflakes. I’d been meaning to do them with him for ten days and we finally managed to do it. I followed the five point instructions here.
While mine turned out to be nothing like these amazing ones, they were cute.
Especially after I cut them down.
While I did the others, David wrote in his gratitude journal and then ate his veggies.
I did four of them and they all turned out differently as is the case with these projects.
Nathaniel was jealous so I gave him some paper and crayon and he went to town.
David then started his project of coloring/decorating them any way he wanted.
Tomorrow we hang them. I must admit doing this put me in a better mood and I feel less like the grinch. But still whiny. I am going to go work on my December Daily now and then I have more writing to do. I hope you’re less whiny than I am and having a more inspiring day.
oh and I keep forgetting to mention!! I now have a newsletter. The first one will go out on January 31. (I might do a short one for December 31, not decided yet. But definitely one for January.) My plan is that it will only be once a month. It will give you a list/summary of what’s been posted here and elsewhere. It will have som more content special to newsletter subscribers and it will have a free digital download link. That’s what I have planned so far. I might do some photography downloads, too. Like a wallpaper. Not sure yet. If you’re interested in receiving them, you can sign up on my blog, at the top of the right column. If you cannot find it, just email me (karen AT karenika DOT com) and I will sign you up. If you have ideas of things you’d like to see in the newsletter, feel free to let me know!
Also, I added an about page to the left column and I plan to add some FAQ pages, too. On my list. Oh the things on my list.
Happy night to you!
Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that Jake was home and helped me. He helped me so much both in errands and emotionally today. I love him so much, he’s my rock and my heart.
2. I am grateful that Nathaniel is ok. For one second today we were in the garage and he pulled on Jake’s laptop’s cord and the whole thing came crashing down on him. He has a small gash on his eyelid but he’s ok (thankfully!) and even though this broke Jake’s adaptor he was so kind about it and I felt so very grateful.
3. I am so grateful for kindness. For each of you leaving kind words here and emailing me and saying nice things. I feel so undeserving and yet I work hard to squash that feeling and replace it with gratitude. I am so so thankful. Thank you Marnie for doing all that reading for me and your kind kind words. And Monika for all your generosity. I am a lucky lucky girl.
Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. getting a book from the library {* his pick for the journal}
2. watching TV
3. doing snowflakes with mommy
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