A few simple actions have given me some outsized mood boosts this week. This is something that can feel particularly good in the midst of this busy season. Crossing something off of a mounting mental to-do list seems to always offer a little bolt of satisfaction...the trick is to stop long enough to notice...to take a breath + indulge in a smile. 

I thought I'd share a few of the things that have been making me feel somewhat accomplished...in case they might spark inspiration for a little mood boost for you too.  :)

-checking something big off of my nagging to-do list (the garage door works again!) + scheduling a few other projects into my calendar for the months to come (to space out budget concerns + eliminate the mental clutter)

-cleaning the bathroom...works every time  :)

-getting the whole lotion thing covered (now I have to remember to use it)

-keeping up with my vitamins

-getting out the rechargeable battery operated candles 

-deciding to be with finished holiday shopping 

None of this is to toot my own horn. As I write this...I should be vacuuming. I'm recording this in part so that tomorrow or the next day...when I start to feel a bit junky again...I can remind myself that it doesn't have to take much to recognize that I'm not doing so bad...I mean, I (probably) took my vitamins.  :)

Love,
​Jane

This is a good one, friends! The Endery uses deadstock alpaca yarn to create beautiful, colorful knitwear. This yarn is already out there left over from other projects + waiting to be useful. Often these materials are simply discarded as waste...so here we have zero-waste sweaters + hats + scarves! And...they are certified fair-trade! These skilled knitters can often work from home, allowing them to be close to their families. The Endery puts it like this, "Instead of creating more things, we look to create jobs using what we already have." Fantastic!

I think that there are a lot of stressors in life that require release,
+ I categorize ways you can get that into 'light' + 'dark'. 
Dark ways are smoking, alcohol, drugs, etc.
Dark release ways lead to more of the same; they are a temporary source of release.
Light ways are exercise, yoga, meditation, nature;
light ways of release lead to more light.
​~Emma Allen

There are enough gift lists out there (there are even a few here listed under simple holidays). There is plentiful holiday advice to be found as well. January is the month for setting new intentions + habits. December is the thick of the holidays...full of hustle + bustle...or heavy with something a little less full. I thought this month I would set out to find a good stuff to sprinkle in the midst.

We'll start out with this...friendship, laughter + value. So inspiring.

Love,
​Jane