“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” - Henry David Thoreau

“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Many of the things you can count, don’t count. Many of the things you can’t count, really count.” – Albert Einstein

“One joy shatters a hundred griefs.” - Chinese Proverb

“Joy is not in things; it is in us.” -  Richard Wagner

“The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.” - Flora Whittemore

“Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.” - Socrates

“Real happiness is cheap enough, yet how dearly we pay for its counterfeit.” - Hosea Ballou

“One can furnish a room very luxuriously by taking out furniture rather than putting it in.” - Francis Jourdain

“Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.” - Oscar Wilde

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” – William Wordsworth

“Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow.” - Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros

“You’ve got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you’re not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice.” - Steven D. Woodhull

“All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary.” - Sally Ride

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” - Baba Ram Dass

“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” - Gandhi

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurman

“Money often costs too much.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” - Lao Tzu

“It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” - Chinese proverb

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.” - Robert H. Schuller

“Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.” - Ovid

Subscribe to my weekday quotes by following me on Facebook or Twitter.

Photo by SweetOnVeg

Life is full of blessings. Last year was no exception.

The end of the year is always a good time to reflect and give thanks for the good stuff. This blog is on the list.

Peace and Projects grew from 600 readers to more than 1,200 – that makes me smile. Thank you so much for reading and commenting and sharing my work. I love writing here and I hope you’ll enjoy the posts in 2012 even more.

Some of the personal highlights from 2011:

• I released my first ebook, The Hybrid Homemaker, on my 30th birthday.
• I won the Marsha Dunlap Award for my YA novel (in progress) The Channels. I’m close to finishing my second draft … and will begin the exciting process of submission soon.
• I had a guest post on Zen Habits: Burnout is Beautiful. 
• I spent tons of time with family and friends – weeks in the Northwoods, a trip to Portland, two wonderful writing retreats. These trips and more were made possible by Mr. Right, my incredibly gracious in-laws (who help us out with the kids) and my flexible work schedule … which I continue to love and appreciate.

Life is good. So many people enriched my life and made 2011 an incredible year. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Reader Favorites: Top Peace and Projects Posts from 2011

Here are the most visited posts from last year … read them again and enjoy. Happy New Year!

1. 25 Simply Beautiful Ways to Show Someone You Care
2. 5 Guidelines to Help You Create a Stunning, Basic Wardrobe
3. 20 Practical Ways to Stop Being Busy
4. 5 Steps to Get Out of a Funk, Fast
5. 4 Key Habits that will Improve Your Whole Life
6. What is Simple Living?
7. How to Practice Mindfulness
8. 7 Super Sweet Things to Do for Yourself and Others
9. How to Reduce Your Clothes in 2 Weeks (with Almost No Effort)
10. Permission to Skip Permission

 More favorites:

• Top 10 Peace & Projects Posts of 2010

Photo by chotda

Note: If you’re not interested in writing, you can skip this post, or read my list of simply beautiful things for a dose of inspiration.

I know a few of you are writers, or aspiring writers, so I wanted to share a little more about my daily fiction writing process.

Last year, I wrote a novel in a month. That manuscript is my number one focus right now.

I write fiction everyday. My goal is to have a good draft of The Channels (young adult fiction) written by January 12, 2012. Then, I’ll start a new book and try to sell my finished project.

To reach that goal, I have a smaller goal: write 5,300 solid words per week.

The writing life

Writing is something I love to do. I can honestly say I look forward to it every day.

After savoring a cup of coffee, I write for about 30 minutes. Then, I take a break to workout, shower or eat breakfast. This cycle continues until the kids get home from school (sometimes later as needed).

• Read more: How to Get Your Most Important Things Done

Defining solid words

I do my best work on deadline. That’s why I keep track of my word count in a simple excel spreadsheet so I know where I’m at for the week.

Here’s the routine I follow to come up with “solid words”:

• At the end of the day, I copy and paste the new scenes of my novel into book format. The text is single spaced and reads just like a book. (In Word, choose page setup, margins tab, and click “book fold” under multiple pages.) I’m a much more critical editor when reading my own work as a book.
• Before bed, I read my book and circle words or paragraphs that need work. I don’t always know how to improve them at the time, but I know that – as a reader – something doesn’t sound right.
• The next day, I rewrite those scenes and hopefully have time to write some new ones, too.
• Repeat with each scene until there are no more circled words or sentences. (This can take three or four nights.)
• Celebrate as many solid words as I can get!

Remember, I’m already on the second draft of my novel and past the crappy first draft stage … Barely.

How to reach huge writing goals

5,300 solid words per week is a hefty goal, even though I’m able to write full-time.

I wrote like crazy on Monday and Tuesday, but only had 200 solid words written by Wednesday morning. (Blame that on my revising method mentioned above.)

There was a bit of panic.

Here’s what I did to end my writing day with 3,287 new words:

• Turn off the phones.
• Don’t check Facebook or email until you reach your goal.
• Don’t clean the house or fritter around with laundry. You’ll get to it eventually.
• Improvise and delegate. Go out to eat or ask your spouse to make dinner instead.
• Write everywhere. After the kids got home, I lugged my laptop to my son’s doctor appointment so I could write instead of read magazines in the waiting room. (Headphones required.) Later, I wrote while he searched for a new book at the bookstore.

I don’t do this everyday, but when I fall behind, that’s how I get back on track.

It’s been a long day – I’m mentally exhausted – but I reached my writing goals. It wasn’t pretty, but right now, it feels amazing.

I hate writing, I love having written. ― Dorothy Parker

What is your writing process? Also, what are you working on right now?

• For more of my writing, you can read my book, The Hybrid Homemaker. Now available.
• If you liked this post, please help support this blog and share it. Thank you!
• I’m taking next week off from this blog to be with my family and still reach my fiction writing goal. May your holiday be full of peace and love. xoxo 
• You can follow my fiction writing progress on this blog – check out the “novel in progress” meter in the sidebar.

Photo by jjpacres

Do you ever wonder where the day goes?

Maybe you woke up motivated to get things done and five hours later, you still didn’t get to the things you really needed to do.

I know how that feels. Important tasks often get put off for smaller, easier things. Things that feel like work – but aren’t.

Lately, I’ve been following a new routine. It’s simple and, when it comes to getting important things done, it works. Here’s what I do:

Start your day with something you love

For me, that’s sitting in the living room with a cup of hot coffee. This gives me time to wake up, chat with my family and ease into my day.  I don’t feel guilty for taking this time – it’s a scheduled break, first thing.

If you work at an office, you can still spend a few minutes doing something you love each morning. Wake up 10 minutes earlier so you can take that coffee break without feeling rushed.

I enjoy my coffee break for about 30 minutes and then it’s time to …

Do your most important task.

For me, that’s writing.

Not email checking. Not social media. I open my laptop and write – either a blog post or I work on my novel. I write without stopping until I need another break. That happens about 30 to 60 minutes after I start.

Try it at the office, too. Start your most important work first, before anything else.

• Read more: Purpose Your Day: Most Important Tasks via Zen Habits and Control Your Workday via Lifehacker.

Repeat cycle.

I spend my whole day in this routine – writing and then taking breaks to check email, go on Facebook or clean the house.

I write a lot because I’m a writer.

You should do the same, whether you’re a painter, graphic designer, photographer or Etsy goddess.

Focus on the task that makes you tick. The one that helps define who you are and makes you smile each time you think of it.

• Read more: The Adult Guide To Finding What You Want To Be When You Grow Up

Do it first.

No excuses.

Writing-related activities are not writing.

If you don’t jump, the wings never come. -Bruce Coville

* * *

Simplify to do what you love with tips from my book, The Hybrid Homemaker. Click here now.

Get free email updates or follow me on Twitter and Facebook. Click the links!

Photo by inf3ktion

Simplify to do what you love.

That’s really the message I want to share with you. But how do you simplify when there’s so much you want to do well? You don’t want your house to look like a train wreck everyday because you’re doing what you love. That becomes projects without the peace, and we want both: Peace AND Projects. At least, I do.

Where does that feeling of balance exist? From my own trial and error, I believe you have to start with a basic foundation. If you’re working smarter – not harder – in these three areas, you can have more fun and get some amazing work done, too.

1. Home

Plan ahead. Living in the moment is a lot easier to do with these essentials in line: Food, shelter and clothing.

Specifically -

Food

• Create a weekly meal plan. Head over to The Organized Home for the long version of this tip.
• Grocery shop using a master shopping list. Click here to download mine (items are in order of how we navigate the store) or revise at will.
• Pack snacks and water for long car rides or shopping trips. Granola bars, nuts, crackers and fruit are easy to grab and go. This saves money by avoiding fast food and convenience stores, too.

Shelter

• Live like a small house. A minimalist approach to personal possessions means I spend a lot less time cleaning and decluttering. Get as much off the floor as possible and donate the stuff you never use. Here are some really good posts to help you get started.
• A guide to creating a minimalist home from Zen Habits.
• Clear the clutter you can’t see from Be More With Less.
• Managing common household clutter from Serene Journey.
• Get and stay organized by subscribing to Unclutterer.

Clothing

• Find your laundry groove. I like to wash and dry everything in one day, dump in a big pile on the floor and fold it all at once.
• Store things like cloth napkins and wash cloths in a basket and quit folding them.

2. Work

Turn off distractions like the cell phone, TV, social networking sites and email. When you need to get something done, give it your attention. Single-task.

Set a timer. Take 10 minutes and see what you accomplish. Then give yourself permission to stop or take a break when the bell sounds.

Break up with social networking sites. A friend recently sent me this email: “I am breaking up with Facebook! There is too much life to live and too many baby giggles that I don’t want to miss.” That really sums it up. If you want keep your Facebook relationship, consider limiting the time with a timer or checking it once a day.

Limit email checking. The more emails you send, the more you’ll get. Give it your full attention once or twice a day instead of each time the ”new mail” icon appears on the screen.

3. Self.

Spend time in solitude. Filling your schedule to bursting never feels like balance. Give yourself permission to be alone.It could be on a walk, sitting on the couch or a moment with the bedroom door closed. Tell the people you love: “I need to be alone for 15 minutes.” Lay down and daydream. Rest from the demands of those who need you.

Exercise. This is still one of my top picks for feeling less stressed and overall better about yourself.

Reflect. Are you really spending time on the things you love to do? On some days, the answer for me would be “no.” We can change that. If you want to write a novel – like I do – you have to take the time. So figure out what you really love and start doing it – It doesn’t have to be work related. It has to be you related.

Try this: Write down the top three things you love to do. Things that really matter to you. It could be your life’s work or your extended family or your marriage. Look at the list. This is where  you should spend your time.

I truly believe that time is a gift and it’s precious and you have the choice to do something great with it. You can. Today is the best day to start. Today is the best day to do something amazing.

* * *

Change your life with tips from my book, The Hybrid Homemaker. Click here now.

Get free email updates or follow me on Twitter and Facebook. Click the links!

Photo by charamelody

Be good, be honest and be cute. -Kelley Grace Quakkelaar

Have you heard?

People are using Etsy to quit their day jobs.

* * *

Since you’re reading this blog, you’ve heard the “quit your day job” line more than a few times. If you’ve toyed with the idea of starting a very small business to eventually quit your day job, my last Etsy post was a good way to start.

Today’s post will show you how to build momentum with Etsy to achieve your dreams.

Meet Kelley Grace Quakkelaar of De Pere, Wisconsin. She sells handmade accessories at Gracie Designs, a business she started in 2006. Five years later, she pays herself the equivalent salary of what she made as director of operations for six restaurants. (Additional vague hint: The hourly rate is far from shabby.)

To put it plainly: Kelley knows how to rock Etsy, hard.

Her Etsy dreams started with jewelry, but Kelley soon realized that was the most saturated market online. “Everyone is competing,” she said. “So I got a sewing machine and started playing with headband design.”

First comes a headband … then comes a cute business card case, passport cover and luggage tag. By changing her collection, business took off, bringing Gracie Designs to the corporate salary standard it is today. (Aren’t headbands amazing?)

If you want to take your Etsy business up a notch (or ten), Kelley offers this advice:

1. Make production efficient.

Kelley produces her handmade accessories in steps. First, she cuts out her design, sometimes over one hundred items at a time. Then, she sews all the seams. Her husband turns the headbands right side out while enjoying his favorite TV series. She also keeps her sewing machines at counter height to save time.

• Try it: Write down three ways you could make production more efficient. Also, costs associated, if it applies.

2. Know your target audience.

Who’s wearing the types of things you sell? Once you have an idea, listen to what people are saying. Ask them questions; post polls on Facebook. Then, make adjustments to your designs based on what customers want.

• Try it: Do you have a Facebook Fan Page for your business? Click “insights,” then “users” to learn more about your fans. This week, create a simple poll to help generate new ideas.

3. Branch out from Etsy.

Gracie Designs’ success is a combination of forces. In addition to her Etsy shop, Kelley recommends:

• Consignment … but keep it local. “If I can’t drive there, I can’t consign there,” Kelley said.
• Markets and craft shows … but only if they are a good fit for your business. Just because you are invited to a show doesn’t mean you should buy a booth. Ask lots of question about the audience the show attracts and see if it fits with yours.
• Wholesale.
• Home parties. Give hostess a percentage of sales to spend on product.

4. Offer customer service with a smile.

Some people want to sit in their back room and knit. “You don’t have to be in people’s face, but be friendly,” Kelley said. Know how to talk to people. Research customer service in general.

• Try it: Read Service Tips for Sellers and Before, During and After a Sale from Handmadeology.

5. Be open to change.

Don’t become attached to anything and don’t take it personally when people don’t like your stuff. If something isn’t selling, let it go and be innovative. Just because they don’t like your goods doesn’t mean they don’t like you as a person

• Try it: If you already have an Etsy shop, choose an item that isn’t selling and start asking questions. “What if I changed the pattern?” “What if I added a pocket?” “What if it was reversible?”

6. Research pricing.

If you plan to sell wholesale, you have to price it right. Kelley follows these steps:

1. Choose your hourly rate (lets say $24 per hour)
2. Time production for one item. If earrings take 5 minutes a pair, that’s $2 in labor to make the earrings.  (Math is $24/60 minutes. 5 minutes = $2.)
3. Figure out COGS (cost of goods sold). For us it’s $5 in beads and findings.
4. The formula for wholesale is: (COGS+Labor)x2. So, for the earrings, the equation is: (5+2)*2=$14. That’s the wholesale price. Double that for retail, which is the price you should sell for online and at markets when you sell direct to consumers. $28 for the earrings.
5. That gives you $7 profit when you sell wholesale and $21 when you sell retail

• Try it: This week, use this system to reprice all the goods in your shop.

7. Keep your shop fresh.

Come out with a new product every month or quarter. Get rid of things that aren’t selling. Redesign constantly and set your shop apart from everyone else.

• Try it: How can you make a product better? Make the design cleaner? Can you embellish it?

8. Be professional. Also, leave it to the professionals.

For instance, if you aren’t a graphic designer, don’t design your own logo. Hire a professional to handle the technical side of your business. This applies to accounting, too.

• Try it: If you don’t have the funds for a graphic designer or web developer, research student opportunities at your local college, or set up a trade with a designer friend.

9. Define needs vs. wants.

Sometimes, what we want for our business or website is not the same thing as what we need. Kelley suggests you start working on needs first, then move to wants.

• Try it: Implement a task and reward system to stay motivated. When something you need to do is finished, reward yourself by working on something you want to do.

10. Detach.

Like everything in life, selling on Etsy isn’t all smooth sailing. People are going to copy you. People are not going to like your stuff. “Get over it,” Kelley said. “People will say things that hurt your feelings like, ‘oh, I could make this.’”

• Try Kelley’s solution: Breathe about it. Make something new. Make something cute.

Kelley recommends:

• Trunkt
• Pinterest
• Tinymeat
• Artfire (an etsy alternative)
• Big Cartel

If you live in the Green Bay area, watch for Kelley’s upcoming Etsy class at d.i.y. studio and gifts.

* * *

What’s your experience with Etsy? If you have a shop, please share your story – and link – in the comments below.

Please support this blog by spreading this post on Facebook or Twitter. Thank you!

It’s been one year since I quit my day job.

A whole year.

* * *

Without a day job.

I need to pinch myself now.

Last week, someone said, “I want your life.”

I didn’t know how to respond. To say, “You can have it, just try xyz,” seemed arrogant. To say, “Yeah, my life is pretty awesome,” seemed arrogant (And on some days, ungenuine). So I said nothing. Her reply?

“Look at you! You know it’s awesome!”

My silence had said it all. Then, I found the words I truly felt: “I feel very blessed.”

I do. More than anything.

I don’t take this lifestyle for granted.

A whole year. What did I do?

Quitting my day job was like giving myself a gift. It was the end of one story, the beginning of the next. I’d like to think I took great care of that gift. I plan to continue doing that in the year ahead.

Here’s what I learned in the past 365 days without a day job:

1. It’s essential to shake things up. Were we in a perfect place when I quit? Truthfully, no. We were in an okay place. We had money saved and our budget was set. Did we have six months of salary set aside? No. Do we now? Yes. I learned …
2. Have faith. Things work out in the end.
3. Kids get bored very easily. You’ll want to avoid that happening too often.
4. Flexibility isn’t always a blessing. It’s definitely:
5. A way to learn more about yourself.
6. Working from home is everything I dreamed it would be. I love our home and I love working from it. Truly.
7. Coffee shops make for a swank home office alternative.
8. Day job or not, we all have bad, lonely, depressing days.
9. Just like me, you crave clarity. You want to know your purpose in life. I think:
10. Change is part of that process.
11. All moms get stressed raising children. I am no different.
12. Whatever life you choose, you have your reasons.
13. This year, I learned life may show you another reason you didn’t expect. That’s when …
14. You realize the importance of taking a leap of faith.
15. Exercise is one of the keys to happiness. Yoga is part of that key.
16. When you get in a rut, do something new.
17. A digital sabbatical can be just what you need.
18. Work expands to fill the time available to complete it. Jen wrote a post about this.
19. First drafts always suck.
20. Novels written in one month reek of bad writing. But within the manuscript, you will find morsels of good. Gather them up and rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.
21. When people change, it may sound easy. But it never is.
22. Having less money, at times, is a challenge.
23. But living at a slower pace is priceless.
24. It’s not always clear what you feel. Spend time wondering. The answers will come in time.
25. In your heart, you know what needs to be done.
26. You don’t need permission from anyone but yourself.
27. There is something very therapeutic about writing an ebook.
28. The biggest challenges seem small when overcome.
29. Reading should be a pleasure. Favorites books from the year? A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, The Wet Nurse’s Tale by Erica Eisdorfer and Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagen.
30. Keep it simple, (you know the rest).
31. In time, doing things that aren’t “normal” will start to feel normal.
32. We all have an idea of how to live. This is mine.
33. A summer sunset + Mr. Right + a glass of wine … few things in life are better.
34. Except maybe not having a day job.
35. I can cook!
36. Just when you think things are ruined, hope reminds you life is beautiful.
37. The perfect time to start is now.
38. The perfect person to be is yourself.
39. Improving, constantly.
40. The perfect thing to say is thank you.

Readers: Thank you for sharing this year with me. Your stories, encouragement and support make my life more beautiful. xoxo

***

Photo by the beautiful and talented Kara Counard. Check out her work at Bloom Photography.

Please note: Starting tonight, I’m taking a digital sabbatical so I can spend a full week revising my novel. While I’m gone, I will not be posting content on Peace & Projects or moderating blog comments.

I’ll be back with a new post on Tuesday, June 7. If you signed up for the Step Mom Letter, never fear – you’ll still get a letter on Wednesday.

xoxo to you all. Now, here’s today’s post.

* * *

Does your focus ever feel like broken glass?

The big picture dropped and all the important To Do’s keep poking you throughout the day. When my focus is fragmented, it can feel overwhelming. Maybe I can gather the pieces eventually, but today, they are sharp reminders of how hard it is to get things done.

We all find it difficult to focus at times. There are so many things vying for our attention. On the eve of my first-ever novel retreat, here are some secrets that focus on focus:

Secret #1: Open an umbrella goal.

For instance, my novel will be a focus next week, but that involves a lot more than turning on my laptop. My umbrella goal – revising my novel – will help me pull all my actions together.

When I’m not writing, I’ll use revision exercises to push my creative limits. I’ll spend time soaking up the feel of places for possible scenes in my book. I’ll also try to get enough sleep, eat well and exercise so I can write with a clear head.

Try it: Think of a big goal you want to focus on and write it down. That’s your umbrella goal. Everything else falls under it somewhere, even the length of time to reach your goal.

Maybe it will take hours or days or even years. Three years ago, my focus was getting out of debt, which was an umbrella goal for how I approached every other area of my life.

Secret #2: Embrace flexible focus.

I have a lot of goals. You probably do, too.

More than anything, I want to be a kind step mom, loving wife, publish a novel and build a community of friends through this blog. Knowing my limits helps me stay flexible, switching up my to do list as needed.

Try it: Did you plan to spend the day writing but your son wakes up with a sore throat? That can be disappointing, which is why I try to be flexible with my focus. If something snares my schedule, I can ask myself, “What goal is important today?”

Secret #3: Move forward a little each day.

Just like we did when paying down debt, I’ve found a little focus in a specific area keeps the big picture from shattering. Some umbrella goals like living simply and writing a novel are best accomplished with a little work spread throughout the week.

Try it: Don’t have time for a 4 mile run? Workout for 15 minutes a day instead. Hate cleaning the house? Slash chores into smaller time commitments and get one thing done each morning. If the thought of completing an entire necklace design feels overwhelming, try finishing a quarter or half. The important thing is to keep moving forward, even if it’s just a little bit.

Secret #4: Rest.

Sometimes it’s hard to turn off my laptop at the end of the day. The allure of checking social networks and blog comments feels like a magnetic force field propping up my computer screen. I think things like, “Well if I get a head start on my list for tomorrow, I’ll have a really calm day tomorrow.” That’s plain silly.

Work expands to fill the time available to complete it. -adapted from Parkinson’s Law

Try it: Choose a time to stop working each day. Rest. Spend a weekend without writing. Recharge your spirit by spending time with family and friends. Really – Leave the laundry for another day! Just like breaking up focus can be helpful, never taking a break from goals can have the opposite effect. That can lead to burnout and exhaustion.

You can make the whole trip that way.

Achieving your goals will require a lot of things, and focus is one of them. Pick a few priorities and plan accordingly, like I am by taking a week off for my novel. Use flexibility, tiny actions and rest to complete the circle.

The light in me salutes the light in you. Enjoy the week.

Sharing is caring on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you!

* * *

Special Note: Melissa’s ebook, The Hybrid Homemaker, is currently on sale. Achieve personal and financial freedom with tips from her personal story. Click below!

Photo by lisbokt

It is better to create than to be learned, creating is the true essence of life. -Barthold Georg Niebuhr

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could turn on creativity like a light switch?

If your main job is creating something, you already know that is not the case. But it’s good to dream.

I definitely have days when I struggle to come up with writing ideas. Sometimes, reading a task like “start two draft blog posts,” makes my creative parts goes, “duuhhhhhhh.”

Inspiration seems to strike at the worst times – like when I’m finally letting myself take a nap or when I’m driving. When creativity becomes elusive, working on deadlines and goals becomes difficult.

Creativity requires movement

Otherwise you’re just a couch potato hoping to write a best selling novel. Unless you move and write, your creativity won’t do any good. You’ll never best-sell anything.

So first things first, move your hands – type on the keyboard, crochet, fasten beads together or paint. Even if the result isn’t a masterpiece, you are still training your body and mind with the motion of creativity.

What else can we do? I decided to ask a creative expert for advice. Meet my friend Susan Finch of The Creative Guide to Life. She is a self-employed freelance writer and video editor living in Brooklyn, NY. Iceland is her favorite place on the planet and she thinks cilantro tastes like soap. (I love her and cilantro anyways.)

Try Susan’s tips:

1. Show up everyday and be present.

Creativity often feels like a divine intervention where you’re just propelled forward through this energy to create. Other times it feels like you’re all on your own and the spark is nothing but a faded ember. Showing up fuels the momentum to push forward and soon the sparks will reignite.

Try it: Add structure to your creative work with these tips.

2. Go for a walk and pay attention.

The easiest way to get your mind to shift its perception is to take in what’s going on around you. That might mean listening to the birds or people watching or seeing new blossoms in bloom. The great thing about a walk is it’s always different, even if it’s the same route you always take. Someone or something will be in your path.

Try it: No matter what the weather is like, go out for a walk today. Think about the ground beneath your feet, the air filling your lungs, the colors in nature. For more, read Tammy’s post on walking meditation.

3. See a movie or listen to music.

Watching a good movie (bonus if it’s in the middle of the day with hot popcorn) transforms you to a place you’ve never been before. It rips you out of whatever brain lock you’re having and, for just a few hours, makes you feel like someone else. By the time it’s over, your thoughts have shifted.

For music, find a free concert at a park, library, or church and feel the electrifying current of watching someone create in front of you.

Try it: Watch a movie that opens your eyes to the world, like 180 degrees South or No Impact Man. You could create a new Pandora station, too. Ask a loved one to recommend a band.

4. Dabble in a hobby.

Often, creatives fuel all their passion into just one area and get so caught up in the process that they fail to let their interests spark elsewhere. Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love, had such intense writer’s block she took up gardening before she was able to complete her second book. Sometimes you just need to let your creativity breathe.

Try it: Think of a hobby you would like to try and spend 15 minutes researching it online.

5. Talk to someone.

Everyone needs perspective and fresh ideas. The thoughts that circulate through your mind, especially after a trying week, become stagnant and stale. Having someone confirm your feelings and suggest a new point-of-view can instantly shift your mood.

Try it: Reach out to someone in your field and share your creative struggles. Often, they will be able to offer the best real-life advice.

6. Travel.

My entire world feels full of endless possibilities when I travel. While having the money to do it is helpful, it’s not necessary. I live in New York and there are more beaches, old military forts, nature preserves, galleries, and restaurants than I will ever be able to visit. Even small towns host nature activities at the parks department, outdoor concerts, lectures, and events.

Try it: Find a resource with your city’s best local haunts and bookmark it for future reference.

* * *

Thanks for the tips, Susan! A change in scenery and setting creative habits will definitely keep the creative sparks flying.

To my lovely readers: What are some methods you use to bust out of a creative rut? Let me know in the comments below.

Spread the love on Facebook and Twitter. xoxo

Photo by ClickFlashPhotos / Nicki Varkevisser

The last day of school is 13 days away.

That means my dog and I will have to adjust our work schedules to include my two step kids. (Truthfully, his is a bit more flexible than mine.)

I’m actually looking forward to shedding the strict school routines. It will be nice to enjoy later bedtimes, no homework and put my PB&J making skills on hold.

At the same time, our new schedule will require a little more discipline if I plan to get any work done during the day. Applying my lessons from last year, here are some tips to make summer transitions easier for all.

Call an end-of-school meeting.

My kids dislike meetings. Secretly though, I think they love them, because it removes the chaos of not knowing our expectations. Sit down to discuss the months ahead, as well as what you expect from the kids during that time.

Try it: Give each child a chance to speak up. Let them know their role in the meeting is vital to a successful summer. Show them what the typical week will look like and keep the dialogue positive.

Structure at least part of the day.

You don’t have to plan every hour of every day, but a little structure will save your sanity. Last year, I learned that too many days without structure leads to boredom (and is very unproductive for mom!).

Try it: Start by setting regular mealtimes. Next, think of a few “categories” you could add to break up the day, like work time, chore time, free time and time together. Add or subtract structure as needed.

Plan a daily rest period.

This is a genius idea I’m stealing from my kids’ summer camp. It doesn’t have to equal nap time – it just means a time when everyone goes to a quiet place to be quiet. Your kids could nap, draw or read. (Mom, too!)

Try it: I’m planning to have an hour-long rest period each day. Set a timer so everyone knows what to expect.

Create a summer wish list.

Ask your kids to help with this. Think of a few fun things you’d like to do over the next couple months. Keep the list handy for days when you crave a little adventure.

Try it: Here are a few ideas you can steal. 1) Spend a day at the beach. 2) Go to the movies. 3) Bike to the farmer’s market.

Read and make music.

Libraries are wonderful for summer entertainment, plus they’re free. Plan on frequent visits and if offered, get kids involved in summer reading programs.

Don’t let the violin get dusty. Encourage your kids to practice their instruments so they don’t fall behind for next year. Even better, join in.

Try it: Include reading and music time in your daily schedule. It can be for as long or short as necessary. I’m going to try 15 minutes of music and 30 minutes of reading to start (which they could complete during rest hour).

Hire your kids for free.

I don’t mind cleaning the house during the school year, but this summer, I’ll definitely enlist my kids for help. I’ll include this expectation in our end-of-school meeting so no one is surprised.

Try it: Write down a list of chores your kids could easily handle. Ask each to pick two or three chores they can be responsible for over the summer. You could offer an incentive for completion – like a treat or their favorite drink – to help make the job more enjoyable.

Kill the guilt.

Being self-employed, I need time to work. There’s no shame in that. Instead of feeling guilty, let your kids know about the projects you’ll be working on over the summer. Ask them to support you by respecting your work time. You could also consider getting a part-time sitter.

Try it: Steal chunks of time to focus on work. Stef of Portal Elements switches off between kid time and work time in 20 minute blocks. Any longer and the kids seem to break out in fights (wanting her attention). Tune in to what your kids can handle and plan accordingly.

Be realistic.

Will I be able to keep up with my current writing schedule during the summer? I don’t know yet. But if I can’t, I’ll be realistic and give myself some slack.

Try it: Summer days are not meant to be chaotic and frazzled. Give yourself permission to enjoy the season. Reevaluate your work expectations and adjust if possible.

The days may be long, but the years are short.

Sure, our summer is bound to have a few bumps in the road. Thinking about it today, I realized: My kids will be adults in less than seven years.

In even fewer, their summers will be filled with jobs and plans with friends. I’ll be a caretaker of the past; they won’t need me as much.

Being realistic and setting structure will help me adjust to the summer schedule ahead. I won’t get as much done, but that’s okay. This year, my kids still need me. There’s a silver lining to the extra distraction. So you know what?

My goal is to enjoy every kid-interrupted minute while I still can.

If this post helped you, please share it on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you!

Photo by jacsonquerubin

If you’d like to quit your day job, buy Melissa’s book, The Hybrid Homemaker, and read her story of finding personal and financial freedom.