Lately...

It's been a while since I've posted any life updates and I think that's because I'm simply a bit all over the place these days. {I'm sure you know the feeling.}

So, although there isn't much rhyme or reason to this post, I figured I'd just share what's been on my mind + on my plate, so we're all caught up and on the same [web]page moving into December. Sound good? 

Thus: lately...

...I've been obsessing over rescue dogs (if you couldn't already tell). I want to rescue another. I want to become a foster. I want to volunteer at a shelter. I want to sit on Instagram and Facebook and just scroll through pics of dogs who need homes, or found loving homes and made miraculous recoveries, or are totally loved and have changed the lives of their adopters. We adopted Sayde 2 years ago this December, and if she didn't have so many issues with other dogs, I think we'd already have another (or 4).

...I've been dealing with a crazy case of end of the year exhaustion. I've loved this year so much--it's been an amazing one full of travel, big changes, lots of growth, lots of love, and lots of work--but it's left me really, really tired. Like, bone tired. All I want to do is sleep, read by the fire, and binge-watch Netflix, but I've got too much to do this time of year to indulge those urges. I did take 2 full days off around Thanksgiving and was able to completely turn off, but I want more of that in my life! So now I'm working on figuring out how to make 2016 a little less exhausting. 

Similarly, I just gave up a beloved yoga class that I've been teaching since I moved to the Cape in order to give myself one day [completely] off per week. I give this advice to new yoga teachers + solopreneurs all the time ("Make sure you have at least one day off where you don't teach or work at all!") but I wasn't personally following it. Starting this week, I will have one full day off every week. This also means that I'm now teaching only 7 classes per week, which is the lowest number of classes I've taught since becoming a yoga teacher in 2010. Honestly, it feels kind of scary because teaching is such a big part of who I am, but I'm dealing with it ;) 

...I'm back to dreaming about DIY projects around the house and can't wait until we have the space to work on it (as opposed to mostly maintain it) this winter. We've been dealing with a washer/dryer debacle that has left us heading to the laundromat for the past 3 weekends in a row (fun fun!), but in the end, our washer + dryer, which are currently in a closet in our kitchen, will be moved to the basement so we can turn the kitchen closet into a pantry...a DIY-ers dream. I can't wait! [Also, being this excited about a pantry confirms that I am indeed OLD.]

...I've basically turned my studio into half shipping center, half holiday painting station, and have been spending more time in there than I have at any other point throughout the past year. It's been SO amazing having my assistant, Sara, keeping some of my other projects moving forward as I focus on being and artist and Etsy seller for the holiday season. Also, in case you didn't pick up on it, this is further proof that my "job duties" change pretty dramatically from month to month and season to season. Fun, but also weird switching gears so extremely! 

...I'm excited about Christmas (we're headed to Atlanta and I'll get to see my brother, Patrick, who is freshly back from the Peace Corps!), I'm already in planning mode for the New Year, and am still overwhelmed (in a good way, I think?) with all of the work I have to finish in 2015. Phew. 

So, I think that's most of what's going on with me. What about you? How are you feeling as we enter the last month of 2016? I encourage you to journal about what's going on, as it's a wonderful way to take stock and reflect before the holiday season sweeps us all away...

Enjoy your last day of November!