have a lovely weekend

I've been reading a LOT of Alexandra Franzen blog posts this week. It's inspiring me to write. And write more simply. And get to the point.

And get off social media (she doesn't use it at all -- mindblowing!) ... at least for a little bit, here and there.

This weekend I'm signing out of Facebook. I'm going to soak up the sunshine. And I'm going to get some work done that really needs to get done (and stop telling myself I'm not good enough yet of a designer to do it).

And, I'm going to spend some time with my sweetheart. Because today is someday.

xo Leah

good words

When I woke up today I seriously considered not getting out of bed for another hour. I wake up at 6:15 or so, each day, and usually I'm pretty happy to get up, go make Adam's breakfast and lunch, pour his coffee, and then start my own day.

This morning, with grey skies and cold rain, and a warm and cozy bed, was a different story.

I got up anyway. I did the stuff anyway. However, just before I left the house, I did lie on my bed for about ten minutes, with my head on my comfy down pillow, and just breathe. And it did the trick.

On my way to work I put in my headphones and listened to a podcast. Which is pretty normal, but this morning though, I listened to a podcast I don't subscribe to and don't normally listen to, because this particular episode was linked to in a Facebook group I'm in. It was The Lively Show, the episode with Alexandra Franzen. In the episode Alexandra mentions that on her website she's got scripts for saying NO a way that uplifts both parties, so when I got to work today I spent a few minutes on her website.

And her delicious writing reminded me: I too have the gift of clarity. I too have the gift of words. I too have a space where I can write, and share a bit of goodness with the world.

I get awfully caught up in the vampire voices in my head that say I mustn't post unless it's The Best Post That Ever Was.

And I forget the truth of the matter: posting something simple, more often, is worth more than the fictional, totally imaginary Best Post That Ever Was.

I hope you're having a creative day!

xo Leah

 

back to "normal", lol

image1Lately I've been obsessed with clearing out. Cleaning up. Getting rid of stuff. Well, the last couple of months, really. I don't know why it is, although I heard somewhere, someone say, "You have to make room for new things in your life, by clearing out the old stuff." Which reminds me, next week is Heavy Garbage Week here in the CBRM! (Edit: nope, not til May 18th.)And I actually have stuff to put out by the curb this time around, so I'm excited for that. I'm putting out an old wooden loveseat, half-rotted, that was in the back garden when we moved in three years ago. And I'm going to go through the basement and see what else I can haul to the street.

So, whew! Here I am. Post-crowdfunding. Back (somewhat?) to normal life. (Whatever that is.) Of course, now that the campaign is over, I still have work to do: fulfilling all the perks! I'm using an Excel spreadsheet, because IndieGogo helpfully allows you to export all your contributions as a .csv file. I'm also just using plain old email, sending "bcc" emails to people with the same perk, and personalized emails to people who bought design credit, to start working on their projects. I'm working with local printers to fulfil the perks that are products, too, and getting print tests and things like that. I've been sharing a few sneak peeks on my Instagram.

It's week 4 in "It's Business Time" and at some point I'll have to write a catch-up post to talk about what I've learned so far! I'll try and get to that this week. In the meantime, Week 1 is here if you're interested.

In the meantime, it's a rainy/sleety Tuesday, and I hope you have a good, creative day!

xo Leah

***

The "Adventure Is Right Here" print in the picture at the top of this post came as part of the "Happy Mail" box in November from A Beautiful Mess. I was signed up for that for a few months until I cut a few non-essential things to save money; but, it's a fun little package!

Day 31: What I Learned from Crowdfunding

crowdfunding  

 

Probably there will be more stuff that I think of in the next couple of weeks, because I feel like I learned a crap-ton from this whole experience, but this is what comes to mind right now:

1. People are AMAZING. 

Like, wow. SO MUCH WOW. You guys helped me raise over $5000! When I add the cash and cheques to the total from IndieGogo, it's over $5000. YOU GUYS. You guys have blown my mind and rocked my world. This is a game-changer. I'm now taking It's Business Time and it's already a game-changer and we're only three weeks in. So, learning #1: people are amazing. I reached out and asked, and made an offering for trade, and people totally were amazing and supported that. That's incredible.

2. People are also a little bit nuts. 

I got some ... ahhh... interesting responses at times. I won't share them because I'm not interested in shaming anyone, or getting into a debate about the comments and their validity, etc. And truly there were not many comments like this at all, not in proportion to the comments expressing support. But the reason I'm mentioning them, and the important thing I learned from this is that haters are gonna hate. It truly doesn't matter who or what you are, or what you say. You could do your best to never offend anyone and you'll still get weird-ass comments! I shook it off by remembering to trust my own gut and my own work.

3. YOU REALLY NEVER KNOW UNTIL YOU DO IT.

So people are amazing and they are also crazy. I knew that at the beginning, before I launched the campaign, and I was so scared to make the leap and give this a try. But if I've learned one thing in all my years in the community and on the Internet, doing my work, it's that you truly cannot possibly know the future, and the only way to see how it will unfold is to work your way there. To give something a try. To "run it up the flagpole and see if it's a flag," as someone once said to me.

So, thanks so much!! This has been a blast and I'm so excited for the next phases.

xo!! Leah

damn fine writing and dreaming big

IMG_4255 My new writing hero is Erin Loechner of Design For Mankind. Her writing is clear like the light in this photo, like the light on the beach last week. I don't skim her essays. I read every well-chosen, jewel-like word.

And damn fine tunes: I'm getting groovy to "Good Kisser" by Usher on repeat, baby.

And just feeling: damn fine these days. A good, clear, lit-up life is totally possible. Today is the "someday" of several years ago, someone said to me the other day, so it's time to stop saying "Someday I will make slowing down a priority". Someday is today.

Other things I've said: "Someday I'll go after my dreams."

"Someday I'll make time to chill with Adam a priority."

"Someday I'll appreciate being in the moment."

"Someday I'll be more honest with my partner about my vulnerable, goofy self."

"Someday I'll take more risks."

Someday is now, yo. Dance to your beat, seek out the silky-fine light and writing that lights you up inside, and do what you gotta do to do the stuff you always said you would do...

Someday.

Day 26: Just Five More Days!

IMG_4321 If you've been thinking you'd like to work with me as a designer, or snag one of the sweet perks like a print or a bumper sticker, now's the time! At the end of the day on April 21st, my IndieGogo campaign will be done. And, I should just tell you, I won't be taking on any new clients until September 2015, due to (a) all the work I've just generated for myself with this campaign and (b) wanting to have some time off over the summer.

So if you've been thinking you'd like to work with me on a project, just purchase some Design Credit over on the IndieGogo page and we'll get to work!

You guys rock and I hope you're having an excellent Friday.

xo Leah