August Newsletter

You guys.

I signed up for a coaching course. It’s happening. Starting in a few weeks I’ll be a coach in training.

I went back and forth between grad school and coaching for the last few weeks (as evidenced in my previous newsletter). One of the deciding factors was a great conversation with a Portland-based coach, Andrea Leda (check her out). I realized that one of the things I tend to do when I get freaked out about doing something big and vulnerable is that I overanalyze (hello spreadsheets and pro/con lists), then I come up with a new plan.

She also helped me to realize that I have two core drivers that sometimes work phenomenally well together and sometimes are at odds. For me, they are safety/ security, and variety/ novelty. My interest in coaching was totally checking the novelty box, but it was challenging the security piece. My capacity for risk was being stretched, and I hadn’t even done anything!

After working through some self-imposed challenges and really digging into what I want, I decided to sign up for a coaching course. Even if I’m not good at it. Even if nobody cares. Even if it’s not what I think it is. Because that’s the journey, folks. You can’t plan out your life and know how each step is going to play into the next. But I’m excited and curious about this step!

In other news, Brian broke his hand last week playing ultimate :( We are learning just how much his right hand affects our day-to-day lives and it turns out it’s a pretty crucial player. So now we are very appreciative of everything it normally does while it’s healing. It’s also about to be the busiest week we’ve seen in a while, with hand surgery, an all day team meeting I’m helping to put together, a big work event I’ve been planning for the last 6 months, and a wedding (that I’m in).

HELLO AUGUST, bring on the heat, the challenges, and the excitement.

RECOMMENDED READS

Big Magic by Liz Gilbert

Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.

On Being Human

I will admit, I have not read this one yet. I have ordered it and will soon devour it, I’m sure. I listened to an interview with her first on The Good Life Project, after my friend Beth recommended it.

An inspirational memoir about how Jennifer Pastiloff's years of waitressing taught her to seek out unexpected beauty, how hearing loss taught her to listen fiercely, how being vulnerable allowed her to find love, and how imperfections can lead to a life full of wild happiness.

Thu, Jul 11

Embracing Seasons

What season are you in currently? Explore what it means to embrace a mentality of seasons. Impermanence, appreciation, and realistic balance.

Read More

Sun, Jul 21

Slowing Down

Can we all just slow down? Recognize when we’re running at a breakneck speed and learn how to make white space on your calendar.

Read More

Fri, Jul 26

JOMO | Joy of Missing Out

Replacing FOMO with JOMO. Learn to listen to what you need instead of what the crowd says you want.

Read More

Other Inspiration

This Amazon movie (trailer linked). Life Itself. It has a lot of feelings. I definitely cried. But I also smiled a ton.

This summer salad recipe. I made it for a potluck last week and it was delicious.

This new Netflix comedy special. I’ve seen Aziz on other shows, but never a comedy session. This one was great - hilarious, and full of thoughtful commentary on current events. Highly recommend!

This sustainable clothing store. I found out last week that there are only 7 physical stores in the USA and one of them is right by my apartment. It’s where I attend a weekly yoga class to start my Sunday mornings.

This Portland-based jewelry maker. My sister introduced her stuff to me and now I’m obsessed.

This site where you can sign up for an online on-demand class of any kind (mentioned in my last newsletter). From photography to accounting. I’m taking another watercolor class currently. Also, if you sign up with the link I provided you get two months FO’ FREE.

PDX Highlight

It’s BURGER WEEK! Starting tomorrow through August 10th, Portland is offering $5 specialty burgers all over the Portland metro. Check out the map and the menus here.

Quote I’m Loving

“When I refer to ‘creative living,’ I am speaking more broadly. I’m talking about living a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear.”

Big Magic, by Liz Gilbert

Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

A few more Liz Gilbert zingers here.

See you next month!

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