Committing It to Paper: Recording My Experiences in a Travel Journal

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adventure, adventures, courage, free-writing, Grand Tetons, journaling, national park, travel, vacation, write28dayschallenge, yellowstone

I wrote a book this past year. I’m super pumped and proud of my accomplishment.

I do, however, feel the need to explain. This isn’t a story for publication. Chances are, no one else will ever read it besides me.

So why am I so excited to have finished?

When You Crave Hibernation

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books, camp fradd, concerts, free-writing, reading, write28dayschallenge

This morning seemed to get the memo straight away – it’s Monday, and the day fully intends to behave accordingly.

The weather is rainy.
Technology isn’t cooperating.
My mood isn’t quite optimistic enough to overcome the grossness of the day.

Fighting Frustration and Being Unsatisfied With Better Than Last Year

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books, free-writing, goals, reading, write28dayschallenge

Each year I set a reading goal of 100 books – this includes books of any length, genre, or media. When I tell people about my number, I always feel the need to clarify that I include audiobooks in this total. Between illness early in the year and the increase of time spent at home in 2020, I exceeded the goal. I crushed it. I worked the last week of the year to bring my total up to 100 PRINT books read.

Share Four Somethings: A Look at March’s Best Moments

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books, fiction, goodreads, share four somethings, spring

Well hello there Easter, you’ve snuck up on us quickly! As we finish up March, I’m joining the Share Four Somethings party Heather hosts each month. These highlights – loved, said, learned, read – are a small look at how I spent Chapter 3 of 2021.

Emphasizing the Adventure in Life – While Not Neglecting the Mundane

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everyday life, free-writing, goals, manifesto, scripture, work, write28dayschallenge

While trying to hone my writing niche, I’ve done a decent amount of introspection. Which pieces of my life do I feel deserve the most attention? What should I emphasize with my writing?

A few years ago, I wrote a manifesto, at the prompting of authors Kathi Lip & Cheri Gregory in their book Overwhelmed. The theme of the book is planning the life you want, rather than scheduling the life you’ve accepted. Stated a different way we have to look in the direction of our dreams or we will steer ourselves in the wrong direction.

Book Review: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

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audio books, books, motivation, working out

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’m a bit late to the party but I loved this book! The narrator did a great job on the audio version, so I’m a bit concerned that book #2 has someone different. I used this book to encourage myself to workout. I loved the story but only “allowed” myself to listen during a cardio session.

The technology is surprisingly spot-on for a book written in the 1970s (before I was born). I laughed out loud on several occasions. Given that I typically listened while doing stair repeats, that’s no small feat.

Ford Prefect: Its (the jump into hyperspace) is about as pleasant as being drunk.
Arthur: What’s so bad about being drunk?
Ford: Ask a glass of water

Also? Marvin FTW!!!!

View all my reviews

How to Plan an Epic Adventure (Hint: Marry a Nerd)

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Grand Tetons, international travel, itinerary, scotland, spreadsheets, top deck, travel, western europe, yellowstone

As a kid, my family traveled regularly. Resulting in seeing most battlefields and amusement parks on this side of the Mississippi. When Jay and I got married, I knew one of my non-negotiables was a yearly vacation. I told him that I wanted to go somewhere every year, even if it was somewhere small. I’ve referenced the year we stayed in Kentucky in the middle of nowhere. If I can have memories of that then I feel certain that I truly mean anywhere will do. I mean I’m sure my family did something but all I remember is the Bates motel vibe from the place where we stayed.

Our first vacation as a married couple was our honeymoon in Villa Rica Georgia. A friend was kind enough to give us their vacation travel points for the stay. It’s hard to beat free on a newlywed budget!

Take the Leap to Discover the Possibilities

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five minute friday, free-writing, goals, write28dayschallenge

I’m setting the timer and joining the Five Minute Friday crowd as we discuss this week’s prompt: possible.

What would be possible if I weren’t filled with self-doubt? Last year, I set a goal for myself.

Receive one rejection letter.

Taking Small Steps Toward Change: Step by Step, Word by Word

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books, bullet journal, free-writing, journaling, learning, racing, running, write28dayschallenge, writing

Whether it’s a natural part of my personality or a talent, I pick-up habits fairly easily. Currently, I’m tracking my fruit and vegetable intake, journaling, and “suiting up” for exercise daily. As a reformed perfectionist, I’m working to see this as simply information for future growth, rather than a report card of my worth as a human.

This habit tracking served me well when I first took up running. The discipline of running 3-4 times a week and building up mileage weekly carried me through my first half, all the way through my last marathon. Highlighting the box of the completed workout kept me motivated to lace up my trainers and complete those runs.

The Art of Writing: Doing the Work When Creativity Lags

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books, free-writing, journaling, learning, write28dayschallenge

While the official Write 28 Days Challenge is over, I’m choosing to continue the work. 

I’m not sure where I got in my head that writing isn’t a creative endeavor, but it’s a falsity I’ve held onto until recently. Perhaps a part of me still does, but recently I started fighting against the belief.