Effortless Living #2
First figure out what your life is about, what you want to do, what you care about, what you want to spend your time doing, and what your values are.” Cal Newport
Hey there! Welcome back to another installment of the effortless living weekly update. I know, it was SASS, but that didn't feel right to me. So I am going back to Effortless Living, Made Simple. I like that. It feels good. And that's what we're doing-rebranding, rebuilding, and settling in to who I am as a creative business owner. I am writing this in my office with the windows open, in August, in TN. The weather has been so amazing these past few days. So cozy and cooler. Is fall right around the corner?
First figure out what your life is about, what you want to do, what you care about, what you want to spend your time doing, and what your values are.” Cal Newport
We have some big news that I will be sharing now and as the weeks go by. More on that below. The past few months have been really hard. I thought the time after my separation from my ex-husband was a really hard time, and it was. But 2024 has been a very hard time, in a different way. The growth and hard work that I put in on myself has been tested in so many ways, but I am happy to say that I think I am on the other side of that. I am not where I want to be with a lot of things, but I have worked through a lot and you will start to see that growth continue. I am positive of that. I know myself well enough to say that with confidence.
The Animals
So there's not much to report here. Everyone is doing really well. I haven't been on a walk with the dogs in a really long time. I'm working on that. Things are starting to slow down or become more consistent. Things never slow down! LOL. But, I am getting some consistency in my routine and schedule and that means I will have more room for walking the dogs. The girls are happy and healthy, but awaiting their long trail runs!
Currently Making
I haven't been making much, but did get the chance to make some dinners. I'm mostly making grain bowls that you read about in my last post. I also bought a 'low country boil' from the freezer section at Aldi's. It was a gamble but it was good! I ate on the back porch and pretended I was at the beach. And since then the weather had been nice and cool so it put me in the mood for chili. So I quick made a pot using ground chicken, butternut squash, canned pumpkin, chicken broth, black beans, pinto beans, cherry tomatoes, chili seasoning, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. It was really good. Leftovers are sure to be even better!
Where to Find Me
I have so much going on! Business really slowed down over the summer (shockingly so) but classes are starting to fill up again. I'm really reevaluating everything and thinking about how to best move the business forward. In the meantime there are a LOT of class opportunities. I have most of them on the website and the events calendar. I do have a few that are still in the works. New-to-me venues. I just taught my first class at Pellissippi State Community College. It was an almost sold out class. And, dare I say, the most attentive class! They were on it! They asked appropriate questions. They soaked up the knowledge. They were so into it! I really enjoyed them and the facilities!
I am leaning more towards having an online class platform. I really think it's easier for everyone in a lot of ways. But also keep some key venues and in person classes. Plus I really enjoy the private events that I've started to do more recently. So. Basically, just stay tuned, as always! LOL. I really feel like the universe is leading me in this direction. It has been on my mind and heart lately. I just need to figure some logistical things out. We're on our way though! Just imagine, dear reader. You can join me from anywhere in the world, from the comfort of your own kitchen!! How fun is that?! I do have a few opportunities for virtual classes to keep us connected until I get the online platform figured out. Check out my shop for more details.
The business end of things
I guess I talked about this above, but really I will be working on a business plan and marketing plan to move me into the next phases of my business. Nothing else to really report here. I've attended some great workshops, both in person and online, to help me gain clarity with what I am doing. I have a wonderful mentor who is helping walk through this process. I'm meeting other small business owners and really enjoy hearing about them and their growth. I'm learning that owning a business isn't always about say yes. That sometimes it's about saying no. Or let me think about it. But it is always about trusting your gut. And trusting yourself to make the right decisions, to dig deeper into questions and answers, and to seek guidance when needed.
I don't want to forget to tell you about my new class kits. Well, I already told you, but I wanted to take a minute and point them out again. Not surprisingly, the cheesemaking kit is a popular choice. I've released that one and the pie making kit. This week will be another new kit release.
the rest of the story
Things have been really up and down lately. There have been so many unknowns these past few months, with moving a couple of times, dealing with personal things and just trying to figure out my business and where I want it to go. But I think I have finally turned a corner. There has been one more move that I will start to tell you about over these next few weeks. It's a move that makes sense and will provide me with longer term stability. Anyway, I will tell you about it soon. I am still in the process of moving and settling. I want to get some time catch my breath before diving into 'the rest of the story'.
I've also been doing things on my own lately. I went to the local chapter of Duck's Unlimited annual banquet. I got all dressed up. And then I was pretty much the only person dressed up. There were a few other women who were dressed up like me (they were all nicely dressed, but I mean there were a few who wore dress clothes). I wore a green jumper with heels. I shared the details over on my Instagram stories, but the jumpsuit is by Calvin Klein and I got it free from a friend. The heels are Coach and I paid $10 for them. The necklace is JCrew and I paid $10 for it. So the total cost of my outfit was $20. And I felt good. I owned it. And I had a blast. I met lots of people and sat at a table with some really fun people! None of us knew each other but we left with the agreement that we would see each other again.
I've also been watching the Gold Finches eat the dried echinacea outside my bedroom window. It was a nice surprise. I also weeded the front flower beds and am starting to work on the other flower beds in the front yard. And, for the first time in my life I was stung by multiple yellowjackets while pulling weeds. That was not fun. I had at least 7 stings, but suspect it was more and that they stung me in the same places over and over. At any rate, the stings are healing up. I had some localized swelling. All in all, I was very lucky.
I have some goals for the house: composting, recycling, making, and doing. I'm starting a list of things that I can easily do each week. Once all my stuff is out of storage it will be easier to see what I have and start diving into that part of life again. I've missed it. I haven't had a lot of time to do things over the past couple of years, but that will change once I have a good plan in place. And that's where I will leave us today, friends. Well, that and a check in on the to-do list!
The Not So Insane TO-DO list:
Aprons to web shop-need photos, pricing, write up
Cutting boards-need photos, pricing, write up
Edible Nashville writing sample
Pick up aprons and cutting boards!
Drop off clothes at resale shop (when in Knoxville)
Walmart returns
Marketing Intern from UT
Prep for all August/September classes
have you been working on anything lately? Any crafts or any making and doing? I want to hear all about it!
'til next time
-k
xoxo
