From the Coffee Table

Pull up a chair. I almost bought something the other day for one reason. It was on sale. Not because I needed it. Not because I’d been planning to buy it. Not because it solved a problem I actually have. It was simply on sale, and apparently that is still enough to override common sense. 20% off can be very persuasive. But for once, I stopped. And it got me thinking about all the things I’ve finally learned not to buy. Not because I’ve suddenly become disciplined or turned into one of those women with three neutral sweaters and one perfect handbag. Although honestly, I’d like to be one of those women. Anyone who knows me knows I love a bag. I think it’s more about finally knowing who I am. And who I am is someone who does not dry clean. Nope. Too much work. Too much expense. Too many steps. Buy the thing. Wear the thing. Remember it needs to go to the dry cleaner. Take it there. Pay for it. Remember to go back and pick it up. That is not clothing. That is a part-time job. If something ...

Pull up a chair. Can I tell you something I've been thinking about this week? I have a feeling a lot of us are carrying more than we realize. Maybe that's why we're so tired. Not just "I didn't sleep well last night" tired. A different kind of tired. The kind you feel in your shoulders. The kind that follows you through the day, even after you've had your cup of coffee ... or two. Maybe you've felt it too. The other day, I caught myself standing in the kitchen, trying to remember what I walked in there for.  While I was standing there ... my mind was already somewhere else. I needed to make a doctor's appointment, I still hadn't answered a text, and I was already wondering what we were going to have for dinner. And then it hit me ... I was pretty sure the laundry was still sitting in the washer because I forgot to move it to the dryer (which meant I was probably going to be washing it again.) I finally laughed at myself because none of ...

Pull up a chair. The older I get, the more comfortable I am saying, "I don't know."  Not because I don't want to learn. Because I do. I just don't feel like I have to pretend I already know the answer. If you know me, you know I love a good rabbit hole. I'm also a bit of a detail girl, so once I get curious about something, I like to figure it out.  I'll read, research, compare notes, and keep digging until it all starts to make sense. Here's the thing ... I don't do it because I need to know everything.  I do it because I enjoy learning.  And if I can take what I've learned and save someone else a little time and confusion ... even better. Maybe it's the marketer in me. Maybe it's just how my brain works.  But I love taking complicated topics and breaking them down until they make sense. The problem is, there's so much information coming at us these days.   Social media. Podcasts. YouTube. Websites. Facebook groups.  Before long, w...