Six people who needed odd but specific environments to create. — Many famous authors have reported finding inspiration in unexpected places. What is considered inspirational surroundings varies greatly from one writer to another. Creativity is a highly individualized process. What may be inspiring for one writer might not work for another. Ultimately, the most inspirational surroundings for writing are those that…

It's not better to burn out than fade away. — Burnout can feel like a fifty-pound wet blanket weighing you down. For me, it happens suddenly. I'm coasting along, juggling life, and suddenly, I feel overwhelmed, exhausted, chaotic, and heavy. Everything feels like a burden. I can't figure out what I should tackle first, so I don't tackle anything and…

A common fear many have as we age. — The realization that one day we will be replaced by the younger generation in the workplace and our families can weigh heavy on our minds. There was a time when our children thought we knew everything. I remember their transition from thinking I knew everything when they were little to…

Things are different down south. You have to be aware and alert. — A friend of mine recently moved from Wisconsin to Tennessee. She has been sharing lovely photos of her family, the beautiful mountains, and the new place they live. A few days ago, she shared a photo of her daughter wading into a shallow watering hole that sent a wave of…

Play it safe when connecting online. — Recently, a single friend texted me that she was sitting in Starbucks waiting for a date. I asked her where she met him. “Online,” she responded casually. This is a response I hear too often from my divorced or widowed friends. And to be honest, it scares me — a…

“Procrastination is the thief of time.” ~ Charles Dickens — Knowing when to stop consuming and start producing is crucial to productivity. Information consumption can be as addicting as social media and Netflix. I am a serial online course collector — Jill of many skills, master of none. I’ve signed up for many courses, paid and free, and learned just…

A young black cat with yellow eyes appeared on the farm this morning. We already have three farm cats who are not enjoying the favor of his company. I don’t want another animal. But I can’t leave this guy stranded, pretending not to see or hear him cry from hunger. …

Five strategies I’ve used to stay on track and grow from zero to 1.4K followers on Medium. — One thing new writers must do to get better is to write consistently. But, one of the biggest challenges new writers face is figuring out how to write consistently. After journaling my whole life, I became more serious about my writing journey in 2019. I jumped from writing group to…

From strength to wisdom through this journey called life. — The “four pillars of life” concept can vary depending on an individual's upbringing, values, faith, disciplines, philosophies, and status or station in humanity. We all have different perspectives on what is essential in our lives. Typically, the four pillars of life refer to health, wealth, love, and happiness. As a…