I’m fascinated by stories.

The ones that we offer to each other, but most of all the stories we tell about who we are and what we can and can’t do. Because those stories become part of how we act, how we dream and what we let slosh around in our hearts about who we can be.

This past year I’ve been un-winding and packing up the story I used to tell myself about how I was “too busy”.

What I should have been saying is, “I’m sorry – I can’t ______________ because I have no boundaries with my work.” since that’s what was really going on.

I kept working and working and working, with the idea that I would get to a magical place where it was done. But there’s always one more email, one more post to read, one more step to take. It’s work, part of the whole idea is that it’s never really done!

I’ve made huge, incredible progress this past year. It’s been fabulous! I’ve made new friends, rekindling old friendships, getting active, starting new hobbies (Project Life!), reading like my life depended on it, and making my home a beautiful place to live.

And then I launched this eCourse about balancing your work and life. Let me tell you, I’ve never been more aware of how I spend my time and make commitments than I have been since the course started! We’re in week four this week, and it’s truly been a life changing experience. I adore teaching. I adore making podcasts (that’s how the course is delivered), sharing my story and connecting one on one with people who are curious about making this part of their lives work better.

Here’s the thing: I’ve discovered another place my “too busy” story was living. It had made a nest, moved in & was in the process of shredding my blog to bits!

Stories can be downright nasty little creatures.

Every week during the course I’ve written 5000 – 7000 words per week. Recording an hour-long (or longer) teaching call. Sending multiple newsletters a week. Finding and sending out social media posts that tie into the week’s theme, and creating worksheets that help people apply the concepts to their life.

Me. The girl who has blogged inconsistently for longer than you’ve probably been reading!

Running this course has changed me by shattering my expectations about what I’m capable of, and reminding me that the ideas I have and the stories I share… well, they can help, entertain, and be a force for real connection.

I used to feel that way about blogging, and for the first time in a long time I feel it again.

I’m so relieved but I think I finally got my voice back after being away for so long.

Sending you tight hugs & Halloween candy – and thank you for reading, and for sticking with me as I get the last pieces of that messy old story cleared out of here :)