A random list of things I appreciated this month…

Sending Samantha to dance for a week of half-days at Northwest Dance Project. They challenged her and she relished the opportunity to dance regularly. Check them out.

Finally watching Wonder Woman. A little sorry I didn’t see it in theaters. But ultimately feeling like the timing was perfect. Did you see it?

Launching an accountability group that has everything to do with self-discovery and nothing to do with professionalism. Because we don’t have enough places in this world to just show up and express who we are. Learn more.

Finding this quote: “I am not afraid of my truth anymore and I will not omit pieces of myself to make you more comfortable,” by Alex Elle. She seems cool. Here’s a link to her blog.

Hanging out with my little fam’ for an extended period of time over winter break without too many distractions or obligations. Always a blessing!

Reading this GQ article by Michael Chabon about what happens when we really try to understand our kids and get behind what makes them tick. It makes me wonder how many amazing kids there are in the world, just waiting for their dreams to be nurtured. Here’s an excerpt: “Abe was just a kid who loved clothes. He loved talking about them, looking at them, and wearing them, and when it came to men’s clothing, in particular the hipper precincts of streetwear, he knew his shit.” [Hat tip to Austin Kleon. I always find something I really like in his weekly sharing, which prompted me to start this occasional sharing of my own.]

A passage from Rob Brezney’s newsletter on what Jesus stood for. And this quote from Carl Jung that Brezney shared, which I will never forget: “The whole point of Jesus’s life was not that we should become exactly like him, but that we should become ourselves in the same way he became himself. Jesus was not the great exception but the great example.” Get Rob’s weekly horoscope and newsletter here for the New Year. Guaranteed to make you think fresh thoughts.

The moment I realized that it was time to get a new We’Moon calendar for 2018 and cut up the old one for my collage materials stash. Done and done.

Watching the totally fluffy Pitch Perfect 3 on an impromptu date with my husband and having a couple of laughs, even though it did not get good reviews and is way too short. Thankfully we’ll always have the original.

Falling in love with the Internet again, because I have reprogrammed it to make me happy. This cuts down significantly on mindless time spent on Facebook and increases the visual inspiration quotient to be gleaned from Instagram times ten.

Speaking of…I often read my favorite Stampington magazines and then look folks up who inspire me. I was reading about Sharon Sowell, an amazing paper cutting artist and I have been chatting with her over email and Instagram. See what I mean about loving the Internet?

Giving and receiving presents! In case you did not know, I am a Sagittarius, which means I am all about the presents no matter what the minimalists say. I gave and received so many wonderful presents, and now that Christmas is packed up and put away (early), and I am raring to start 2018.

I still maintain an Advanced Dream Team of writers for both articles and essays. We had a fun Secret Santa exchange for the third year in a row. Really proud of my writing accomplishments this year and humbled to participate in theirs. On to 2018!

The soundtrack from The Greatest Showman. If you saw it, I bet you are totally with me. If you didn’t, I recommend it. The movie is pure fiction; but the soundtrack is pure perfection!

Winter is the perfect time to stream British shows. We devoured The Crown, season two. We’re eagerly awaiting season seven of Call The Midwife. Earlier this year, we enjoyed three seasons of Grantchester. And we are still looking forward to Victoria, season two.

Composting is fun. Who knew? Never had a composter that worked well until this year. Got this one in May and it breaks down everything I put into it like a champ. Plus two chambers really are better than one because I can fill one and move on to the next and the first is ready in about eight months. Amazon won’t let me link to it directly, so click here and then scroll down until you find: “Good Ideas CW-2X Compost Wizard Dueling Tumbler.” We got the smaller size, and I’m going to order another one, so I can have four barrels going at once. If your family is larger than three, you may want the larger size.

Ringing in the New Year is awesome but my dog never enjoys the nearby fireworks. That’s why I am so grateful for the Thundershirt for dog anxiety. We wait until he starts barking and then we put on his Thundershirt, turn on some jazz music and leave the oven fan running to create extra white noise. The combination soothes him so he can sleep no matter how loud the fireworks.

Best holiday gifts I gave? Besides the dance workshop we got for Samantha, I’m going to go with Spirograph, because we get to share a childhood toy with Samantha. Best holiday gift I got? Too many to mention. Let’s go with my “Smash The Patriarchy” coffee mugs. I got two and I love them both. Oh, and this book, Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden; Grow, Harvest & Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms by Erin Benzakein and Julie Chai with photography by Michele M. Wait.

Clearly December has been an awesome month. It is also my birthday month, which means I got even more presents (new ring from the Sundance store, 10 annual magazine subscriptions for $30, and more!).

Well, 2017, I feel feted, sated, celebrated, and I’m ready for 2018. So bring it on!

I’ll be right here, enjoying life and sharing the best experiences I have with you. Happy New Year!

 

I am a veteran journalist, author and coach with over a decade and a half of experience and a wealth of techniques to share. I am focused on making the world a saner, more expressive place. I help folks become more creative for personal enjoyment, professional development and transformational growth. Whether you are a professional creative or hope to become one some day, I can help you embrace your personal strengths, explore your creative possibilities, and evolve incrementally into your most inspiring self. If you are ready to achieve creative consistency in your life and career, email me about monthly coaching calls. To learn more about increasing your creative confidence, please check out my online school. Stay tuned for ways to save money by becoming a Beta User for my next new course by subscribing to The Prosperous Creative. And don’t forget to get these blog posts delivered to your inbox, so you never miss a post. If you appreciate my work—school, products, blog and social media posts—you are welcome to make a contribution of any size at any time. Thank you for your support!

~ Photo by Jason Blackeye on Unsplash

As a teacher, life-long learning is important to my personal enrichment.

One of the many things I adore about the Internet is the educational opportunities it provides.

Say what you want about social media, the times we are living in and the current political landscape—none of it matters when you use the Internet intentionally.

One of the best ways to leverage the Internet intentionally is to consider what you need in your life and then seek out online courses that have what you want.

In the early days of the Internet, it was such a thrill to be able to virtually connect with folks I admired. I used to scour the web striving to connect with my role models.

But these days, I am less about the mentor and more about the learning. I do not put people on pedestals any longer. In fact, I tend to trust imperfect, expressive people more than celebrities, who constantly play their highlight reels.

What interests me more than the person behind the course, is the course itself. Does it offer what I need? Is the course offering results I am looking for? Is it simple, rather than overwhelming? Finally, I ask is the teacher reputable? I do not need to become best friends with the course creator to benefit from what is being taught.

Using these principles, I have signed up for three courses that make my heart sing for 2018. I cannot wait to dive into these course and milk them for all they are worth in my life. I know they will uplift and sustain me for the rest of the year.

Here is another thing that has changed. In the past, I was often focused on professional development. But too much focus on professionalism was starting to make me feel dead inside.

I am professional enough. The continuous focus on it was squelching my joy.

Lately I have been much more soul-focused. I am clear that when I take care of the inside, the outside takes better care of itself. So rather than being externally focused, I am much more internally oriented. Needless to say, this makes me feel so much happier on a daily basis.

As I created my online school, I was following these same principles to create compelling courses for others. I put as much soul as possible into every single course, even when professionalism was a consideration.

I would say what sets my courses apart from other courses in the writing and creativity arena is that they always take the individual into account. You never had to abandon yourself to follow my advice. On the contrary, the more fully you embrace who you are, the more successful you can become.

I believe in the value and contributions of each person on the planet. In other words, I think every person is here for a reason. And it’s the responsibility of each person to dig deep to discover and share the wealth that wants to stream through them.

2018 is going to be about discovering more of who I am and cultivating my self-expression to better share it with the world. I will continue to do what I do best: write, teach, learn, share and grow. And I would love to share my journey with you.

What is your 2018 going to be about? Feel free to share in the comments or email me and give me an update. We’re all in the New Year together. The way we approach it individually definitely impacts the whole. I hope I can encourage you to cherish your soul more and focus on the status quo less.

I am a veteran journalist, author and coach with over a decade and a half of experience and a wealth of techniques to share. I am focused on making the world a saner, more expressive place. I help folks become more creative for personal enjoyment, professional development and transformational growth. Whether you are a professional creative or hope to become one some day, I can help you embrace your personal strengths, explore your creative possibilities, and evolve incrementally into your most inspiring self. If you are ready to achieve creative consistency in your life and career, email me about monthly coaching calls. To learn more about increasing your creative confidence, please check out my online school. Stay tuned for ways to save on my courses by becoming a Beta User for my next new course by subscribing to The Prosperous Creative. And don’t forget to get these blog posts delivered to your inbox, so you never miss a post. If you appreciate my work—school, products, blog and social media posts—you are welcome to make a contribution of any size at any time. Thank you for your support!

Photo by Rosie Kerr on Unsplash

Over the years, I have been known for my writing, teaching and accountability groups. This year I am bringing my facilitating experience to a whole new type of group, and I’m very excited about it.

Do you love cutting up magazines and making vision boards?

Perhaps, like me, you are already a collage journaler.

Have you always wanted to make time for these activities but have never been able to consistently prioritize the time?

Well, here is your chance to join a group of supportive, like-minded people in a group facilitated by an experienced online facilitator.

The premise of the group is simple: we collage as much as we like throughout the year and then we share a bit of the results with each other. This is not a therapy group; but it is a self-expression group.

If you are just getting started, you can share about your beginning steps and take advantage of tips and tricks from more experienced collagers.

If you have been making vision boards or collage journaling for a while, you can share some of your results and offer encouragement to those with less experience.

We are living in chaotic times and we cannot solve the problems of the world at the level of the problems. Having a collage practice can serve as a centering meditation, bringing you peace, serenity and courage to express yourself on a daily basis.

If you have been craving more serenity, but you have never collaged before, no problem! You do not need to have any collage experience to join this group. Our intention is to band together to create a positive, supportive environment that supports our creative self-expression.

If you are looking for a little reprieve from the latest headlines and a safe, inspiring place online to glean inspiration, then this is the New Year’s resolution for you.

If you are looking for a creative sanctuary in a chaotic world, I would be honored if you would share you path of self-discovery with like-minded others.

I would love to have you on board! I hope you will join me in embarking on a daily creative practice this year. I have changed the pricing structure of the group to pay-what-you-will. Check it out!

No preparation is necessary. Just bring yourself and your enthusiasm and let’s create a great 2018 together!

I am a veteran journalist, author and coach with over a decade and a half of experience and a wealth of techniques to share. I am focused on making the world a saner, more expressive place. I help folks become more creative for personal enjoyment, professional development and transformational growth. Whether you are a professional creative or hope to become one some day, I can help you embrace your personal strengths, explore your creative possibilities, and evolve incrementally into your most inspiring self. If you are ready to achieve creative consistency in your life and career, email me about monthly coaching calls. To learn more about increasing your creative confidence, please check out my online school. Stay tuned for ways to save money by becoming a Beta User for my next new course by subscribing to The Prosperous Creative. And don’t forget to get these blog posts delivered to your inbox, so you never miss a post. If you appreciate my work—school, products, blog and social media posts—you are welcome to make a contribution of any size at any time. Thank you for your support!

10 Ways To Write More Prolifically So You Can Create Nonfiction Content That Delights Editors And Readers

Have you checked out my online school? Every once in a while I like to remind readers to pop on over and explore the variety of courses I’ve created.

If you are an experienced article writer and you would like to either brush up your skills or take them to the next level, this is the course for you! It covers how to warm-up to write, brainstorm ideas, and draft articles quickly and creatively, so you will be the inspired writer who delivers articles that stand out in an editor’s inbox. You will awaken your natural writing instincts and teach you to write quickly and gamely instead of agonizing over every word. Best of all, every time you write, you will remember why you wanted to become a writer in the first place. Get ready to learn how to turn one idea into ten different types of articles without stress or strain. This writing class is helpful for both beginning writers as well as for experienced freelancers with any amount of prior experience.

Here is a breakdown of the course. Why not dive in and start learning?

Have fun and do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

http://classes.christinakatz.com/course/become-an-article-idea-factory-prosper-professionally/

Read the Frequently Asked Questions Page At Creative Confidence Courses With Christina Katz

I am a veteran journalist, author and coach with over a decade and a half of experience and a wealth of techniques to share. I am focused on making the world a saner, more expressive place. I help folks become more creative for personal enjoyment, professional development and transformational growth. Whether you are a professional creative or hope to become one some day, I can help you embrace your personal strengths, explore your creative possibilities, and evolve incrementally into your most inspiring self. If you are ready to achieve creative consistency in your life and career, email me about monthly coaching calls. To learn more about increasing your creative confidence, please check out my online school. Stay tuned for ways to save money by becoming a Beta User for my next new course by subscribing to The Prosperous Creative. And don’t forget to get these blog posts delivered to your inbox, so you never miss a post. If you appreciate my work—school, products, blog and social media posts—you are welcome to make a contribution of any size at any time. Thank you for your support!

We had an amazing espresso machine that we got from Starbucks and it served us well for about seven years. Recently, we wore it out.

I was unsure we would ever be able to replace it, but we crossed our espresso-dappled fingers and ordered this little machine from Amazon a couple of months back.

Surprisingly, I am thrilled with it! The machine itself is small and therefore takes up a lot less space on our counter. Despite it’s size, this little espresso machine pulls shots like a champ.

Best of all, this machine comes in colors. Our kitchens is black and white, and I enjoy adding splashes of red, which makes this espresso machine a perfect match for our family.

If you are looking for a little espresso machine that could, be sure to read all the set-up instructions and watch the set-up videos before you pull the first shot.

Check this baby out, if you are looking for a new espresso machine for yourself or as a gift.

Apparently, there is a newer model, that you can check out here. But I am perfectly satisfied with the older model we ordered, and it is less expensive.

This brand also makes larger machines and multiple approach machines. We really only drink espresso at home, because we are snobby like that. Jason drinks drip coffee at school, and you can use pretty much any machine for that, as long as you start with quality coffee.

I am a veteran journalist, author and coach with over a decade and a half of experience and a wealth of techniques to share. I am focused on making the world a saner, more expressive place. I help folks become more creative for personal enjoyment, professional development and transformational growth. Whether you are a professional creative or hope to become one some day, I can help you embrace your personal strengths, explore your creative possibilities, and evolve incrementally into your most inspiring self. If you are ready to achieve creative consistency in your life and career, email me about monthly coaching calls. To learn more about increasing your creative confidence, please check out my online school. Stay tuned for ways to save money by becoming a Beta User for my next new course by subscribing to The Prosperous Creative. And don’t forget to get these blog posts delivered to your inbox, so you never miss a post. If you appreciate my work—school, products, blog and social media posts—you are welcome to make a contribution of any size at any time. Thank you for your support!

~ Photo by Nolan Issac on Unsplash

Every year for many years, my (now teenage) daughter looks forward to opening her Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar and seeing what kind of virtual fun awaits her inside this imaginative digital landscape. Jacquie Lawson is a British artist who brings her artwork to life through email cards that combine images, video and music in delightful ways.

Here’s the description of this year’s Alpine Advent Calendar:

This year we’re taking you on a trip to a pretty village in the Swiss Alps. Energetic days on the ski slopes, delicious lunches in bustling cafés, and a cosy chalet on a snowy hillside to welcome you at night. Twenty-five days of Christmassy games, puzzles and our classic animated stories, with beautiful artwork and music and a host of hidden surprises. Compatible with PC, Mac and iPad.

Click here to check out this year’s Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar. Advent calendars make a great holiday gift for faraway folks since they are digital and can be sent via email.

You can also send last year’s Seaside Advent Calendar. Here’s the description:

The quirky fun of an English seaside village may not be an obvious Christmas setting … but imagine … the twinkling of fairy lights reflected on the sea, bracing walks along the sands, and warm log fires in the cosy tea shops and pubs! Twenty-five days of Christmassy games, puzzles and our classic animated stories, with beautiful artwork and music and a host of hidden surprises. Compatible with PC, Mac and iPad.

I hope you enjoy checking out Jacquie Lawson’s Advent Calendars.

May your days be merry and bright and may these daily Advent Calendars increase your holiday joy. Happy holidays!

I am a veteran journalist, author and coach with over a decade and a half of experience and a wealth of techniques to share. I am focused on making the world a saner, more expressive place. I help folks become more creative for personal enjoyment, professional development and transformational growth. Whether you are a professional creative or hope to become one some day, I can help you embrace your personal strengths, explore your creative possibilities, and evolve incrementally into your most inspiring self. If you are ready to achieve creative consistency in your life and career, email me about monthly coaching calls. To learn more about increasing your creative confidence, please check out my online school. Stay tuned for ways to save money by becoming a Beta User for my next new course by subscribing to The Prosperous Creative. And don’t forget to get these blog posts delivered to your inbox, so you never miss a post. If you appreciate my work—school, products, blog and social media posts—you are welcome to make a contribution of any size at any time. Thank you for your support!

~ Photo by Tom Rickhuss on Unsplash

Learn The Skills You Need To Get Paid To Write From Home And Enjoy The Process Of Creating High Quality Articles

Have you checked out my online school? Every once in a while I like to remind readers to pop on over and explore the variety of courses I’ve created.

This course covers how to write six popular and saleable nonfiction article forms, as well as how to warm up to write your best articles and how to polish the articles you draft. You will learn how to get into print sooner, rather than later, without pulling all-nighters or paying a fortune in babysitter fees. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a working dad, or just a busy person, you will learn how to create short, easy-to-write freelance articles—a skill that will make it easier to work your way up to longer, more time-consuming freelance articles (like features, profiles, and even a book) when you are ready.

Here is a breakdown of the course. Why not dive in and start learning?

Have fun and do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.

What are the course requirements?

• No advance writing experience is needed
• All that is needed is a willingness to dive in and build skills
• Tackle fun writing assignments that help you apply course lessons
• Be prepared to learn things about yourself that you didn’t know before!
• Writing short nonfiction articles is creative, fun, and personally satisfying

What am I going to get from this course?

• 14 lectures and over 44 minutes of video content!
• Compose quality tips, list articles, how-tos, and fillers
• Turn personal stories into essays and articles
• Learn professional strategies that will save you time and energy without compromising quality
• Practice skills that will have you writing like a pro
• Write well enough to compete and get published
• Profit by turning your ideas and past content into saleable short articles

Who is the audience for this course?

• Anyone who wants to learn and improve short article writing skills
• Experienced writers who want to refresh their short article writing techniques
• Veteran writers who want to fall in love with short forms all over again
• Anyone who wants to vary the way they write nonfiction articles
• Writers who enjoy learning writing forms and applying them in their work

http://classes.christinakatz.com/course/the-art-of-short-article-writing/

Read the Frequently Asked Questions Page At Creative Confidence Courses With Christina Katz

I am a veteran journalist, author and coach with over a decade and a half of experience and a wealth of techniques to share. I am focused on making the world a saner, more expressive place. I help folks become more creative for personal enjoyment, professional development and transformational growth. Whether you are a professional creative or hope to become one some day, I can help you embrace your personal strengths, explore your creative possibilities, and evolve incrementally into your most inspiring self. If you are ready to achieve creative consistency in your life and career, email me about monthly coaching calls. To learn more about increasing your creative confidence, please check out my online school. Stay tuned for ways to save money by becoming a Beta User for my next new course by subscribing to The Prosperous Creative. And don’t forget to get these blog posts delivered to your inbox, so you never miss a post. If you appreciate my work—school, products, blog and social media posts—you are welcome to make a contribution of any size at any time. Thank you for your support!

Many people are asking the question, How are we going to survive all of this?

And it’s not famine, homelessness or direct threats to our survival. The madness is simply what’s coming out every day in the news.

How do we make it through the day in the face of so much negativity streaming at us day and night?

Author Jessica Morrell asked this question on Facebook and my answer was: “Deciding to rise above it one drama at a time. Appreciating the little things. Calmly standing up to negativity.”

If you are struggling with staying positive, and it’s affecting your creative confidence, here are some resources that may work for you.

Tap into daily doses of good news

How Positive Media Can Make Us Better People from Greater Good

Greater Good Home Page

Subscribe to Small Victories for a weekly dose of good news

Have happy hobbies

Journaling

Collage

Writing

Seek More Joy Now

Be the good you want to see

Doing Good Together

Remember random acts of kindness

This Spiritual Life

Project Happiness

Random Acts Of Kindness

Understand the psychology of bullies

Understand bullying

Understand non-violence

Teach kids assertiveness

Get frustrations out

Stepping

Practice resiliency

Walk more

Find support groups

Fill your inbox with irreverent inspiration

Rob Brezsny

Austin Kleon

Tiny Buddha

Fill your social media feeds with mad creativity

Flora Forager

Jill Badonsky

Flatlayforever

Connect meaningfully with self and others

Meditate

Practice mindfulness

Hug loved ones more

 

I am a veteran journalist, author and coach with over a decade and a half of experience and a wealth of techniques to share. I am focused on making the world a saner, more expressive place. I help folks become more creative for personal enjoyment, professional development and transformational growth. Whether you are a professional creative or hope to become one some day, I can help you embrace your personal strengths, explore your creative possibilities, and evolve incrementally into your most inspiring self. If you are ready to achieve creative consistency in your life and career, email me about monthly coaching calls. To learn more about increasing your creative confidence, please check out my online school. Stay tuned for ways to save money by becoming a Beta User for my next new course by subscribing to The Prosperous Creative. And don’t forget to get these blog posts delivered to your inbox, so you never miss a post. If you appreciate my work—school, products, blog and social media posts—you are welcome to make a contribution of any size at any time. Thank you for your support!

~ Photo by Brooke Lark

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How can we expect the world we see around us to evolve, if we won’t evolve?

The world won’t change until we change. And if we refuse to change, then the world is stuck.

We can do our part by turning within and digging deep to uncover the strengths we bring to the global table.

I say global table because we need to recognize that our lives have a ripple effect.

All the love and care I pour into raising my daughter has an impact on the future. When I raise her to be a thoughtful, brave and expressive individual, I am making an impact on the future.

And I mean in both the near future and in the future when I am no longer here.

I am cool with leaving behind a more evolved person than I was at her age. In fact, I am totally down with it, because let me tell you, if you think the world is not evolved right now, it was quite it bit worse when I was a kid.

When I write an article that makes the world even a slightly better place, I know I have made a difference. I really value all the skills I have developed and share with others that allow me to do this.

When I pour my best ideas and efforts into an online course that will positively transform a person’s life, I feel good about myself. I know that my work has impacted many and will continue to touch more lives thanks to all of my painstaking effort.

In order to be a healthy person in a pretty crazy world, I need to take good care of me, keep growing as a person, and look for ways to become wiser and more conscious — because this is what the world is desperate for right now.

Continuing education can play a part in all of this because our personal growth translates into evolution for all. We will know we are on the right track by how good we feel while we are learning and growing.

Self-awareness is a process, not a destination. That’s why I’m always asking my students, How do you feel now? How are you different than you used to be? What is new for you? What do you need to let go of and prioritize now?

I am interested in working with deep, thoughtful, self-aware people, who want to express more of themselves in the world. Because these are the people the world needs most right now — the people who want to heal, serve and contribute to an evolving world.

I hope you value your joy over pleasing others. I hope you recognize that time spent understanding what you believe matters. I hope you will know that you deserve a beautiful home that reflects your most expressive self.

When you care about yourself, you get ready to change the world. That’s how taking care of yourself becomes transformational. Take care of you first and then watch how much easier it is to express yourself in the world in a constructive manner.

What you love and who you are inextricably linked. When you dig deep, you know what the single next most important thing to do is, and doing that next thing feels satisfying.

Your truth is living in you. It’s up to you to dive deep inside yourself and bring it up to the surface one glimmer at a time. Your best self living your highest truth IS what the world needs now. Thanks for being here. And thanks for being you.

I am a veteran journalist, author and coach with over a decade and a half of experience and a wealth of techniques to share. I am focused on making the world a saner, more expressive place. I help folks become more creative for personal enjoyment, professional development and transformational growth. Whether you are a professional creative or hope to become one some day, I can help you embrace your personal strengths, explore your creative possibilities, and evolve incrementally into your most inspiring self. If you are ready to achieve creative consistency in your life and career, email me about monthly coaching calls. To learn more about increasing your creative confidence, please check out my online school. Stay tuned for ways to save money by becoming a Beta User for my next new course by subscribing to The Prosperous Creative. And don’t forget to get these blog posts delivered to your inbox, so you never miss a post. If you appreciate my work—school, products, blog and social media posts—you are welcome to make a contribution of any size at any time. Thank you for your support!

~ Photo by Nick Hillier On Unsplash

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