@nicolasjleclercq
I cannot tell you how much I look forward to writing for our new series, “Cozy Catch Up”.
The process is both cathartic and reflective and I thoroughly enjoy having the freedom to brain dump, get deep, and share some worthy highlights with you.
Let’s get cozy, shall we?
If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably noticed that I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. The kitchen has always been where I feel most at home–
it’s the place my family gathers most, our headquarters. And now it’s also the TSP headquarters. I love it. Food and nourishment is always at an arm’s length.
Everyday I set up shop there. Coffee. Work. Eat Repeat. Somewhere in that cycle my visitor comes a knocking.
She is the most gorgeous, plump cardinal I have ever seen. Her beak is brilliant orange and she wants me to know she is out there. When I see her, I feel close to my mom.
You see, we have this thing:
Like clockwork, she knocks. I get up from my desk and say, “looks like I have a visitor.” I approach the window. She knocks. I say, “oh, hey mom.”
Then I head back to my desk with a full heart and a reminder that I was loved.
Gosh, I miss her.
Let’s stay focused.
Recently, I had a mother/son moment that I’d like to share because it was a really good “parent win”–sometimes, I feel like those are far and few between so I like to celebrate them.
A few days ago, Will (13), came home with an especially hefty homework load and I could sense that he was overwhelmed from the minute he walked in.
After some conversation and weeding through the ever-elusive and limited 13-year-old information sharing, it was clear that the source of his angst was more about not knowing where to start or how go about tackling it all without getting burnt out.
This is a tough age for kids–things like responsibility and time management are starting to play a role in their everyday life.
Learning how to manage these things is a process in and of itself–and don’t I know all about it from my own transition to working from home in the last few years.
I introduced Will to my favorite productivity tool of all: Focus Keeper.
The Focus Keeper app is based on the Pomodoro Technique, which creates timed intervals, usually 25 minutes, with breaks between.
The idea is to determine what your tasks are and complete them in the time allotted. Will downloaded the app–the techy stuff always get the youngins’ attention…
We created a homework routine that designates each subject to a timed segment (we shortened this to 17 minutes) with breaks between.
The combination of his willingness to apply the tool and the technique itself have led to more studying and increased productivity.
The time structure puts a finite beginning and end on the process and the incentive to get to work before break time.
Love that app and use it often.
In fact, I only have 7 minutes left to write this article!
Let’s conclude with some things I am taking in.
Since we last spoke, I have done some reading, watching, and listening. I am just about done with Colleen Hoover’s newest book, “Reminders of Him“.
The main characters finally connected in the bedroom. Let me tell you..it was worth the wait.
But, taking a page from Will’s strategy, I have a few books (and subjects) on rotation and spend a little time on each instead of finishing them one at a time.
It’s a great way to digest smaller, more meaningful bits about things like growing wealth–something I’m on the quest to do so I can break up with my toxic money relationship and heal old money wounds once and for all.
For this, I’ve been working through a book my sister Nicole gifted me–Jen Sencero’s “You are A Bad Ass At Making Money“.
I have only just begun.
She’s funny and smart. It’s got just under a 4.0 rating on Goodreads and is about getting out of your own way when it comes to money.
I’ll report back.
While I gave my eyes a reading break, my family and I watched “Peanut Butter Falcon” on Netflix. It stars Shia Labeouff, Dakota Johnson, and Zack Gottsagen, and is about a man with Down syndrome who escapes the nursing home where he lives to become a pro wrestler.
It is heartfelt and funny. My heart was cracked wide open. A must-watch for the whole family.
I’ve also got a solid listening rotation going as well. I listened to one of my favorite “Life Kit” episodes to date. The title is “Financial Advice For Artists Who Think They’re Bad With Money“–sound like anyone you know?
It was so rich with information and I was able to apply some of the advice offered immediately.
For laughs, “Smartless” is my go-to. I am pissed I didn’t go to their live performance here in Chicago, but maybe next time.
Ok friend, off to grab the kids from school.
I hope you enjoyed my babbling for a few.
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