Kimberly Wilson's Blog, page 129

mindful monday + today's gifts

It’s good to have an end in mind but in the end what counts is how you travel. ― Orna Ross
On Friday I hosted the Daybook Playshop and enjoyed seeing the above images shared on Instagram #daybook. With peonies, twinkle lights, a tea thermos, laptop, and daybook , I shared how best to use this creation to enjoy a tranquility-filled 2015. To watch the hour-long event, tune in here.

Over the weekend I returned to DC and went on a decluttering spree documented on Instagram. By last night, there were eight bags and four boxes (not shown) to donate plus two trash bags to purge. Although I still have books and files to do, this morning I'm feeling much lighter.

After dashing to the post office to ship orders that came in since December 31, I settled in slowly to this day of deadlines. 

GIFTS: There's the launch of the 52 Weeks of Tranquility program {hitting inboxes shortly} and the Tranquilosophy seasonal podcast {at 3pm ET today}. If you can't join the call live, we'll have a recording available shortly here.

Typically I'd scramble to my iPhone to handle all the emails that hit my inbox while I was sleeping. Instead today I savored a soak in the tub with rose bath salts, sipped green tea, spritzed myself with rose perfume, and reviewed my daybook to acknowledge the priorities. 

As the above quote by Orna Ross reminds us, how we travel is what makes all the difference. For 2015, my hope is to ensure my travels are more tranquil. Getting things done is critical, we know that. However, it's how we get things done that can make all the difference.

For me, I'm hoping for more washi tape-sealed love notes via snail mail, aromatherapy-infused meditation, and a slower start to deadline-filled days. Wishing you a beautiful return back to routine. Make that routine as beautiful as possible. Bisous. x

week in review

 twinkle lights, roses, and sparkles for new year's eve workshop
  announced this free program
savored this post-gym jaunt
hot cocoa with marshmallows + pug envy
peony bliss
le pug stealing my spot . . . again
macaron reward post-workshop
week in reviewtaught 3-hr mindfulness + yoga mini retreatgym jauntpart-time work at the women's centerpenned heaps of thank-you notesrang in new year with anderson cooper + kathy griffinpersonalized my daybookannounced 52 weeks of tranquility programset up 52 weeks of tranquility facebook groupbiked 3 milespenned 2014 takeawaysshared 2015 dreamsbegan reading essentialismshared things i lovecleaned up inboxset up evernote systemssavored soaks in the tubcommuted between dc and the woods shipped ordershours of strategic planningheaps of sleepingfamily walks in the woods
weekend wish listfun train ride back to dctwo full days of deep declutteringhost inspiring daybook playshopship orderspen muse for studio newsletterprep week 1 of 52 weeks program prep "new year, new you" tranquilosophy seasonal podcast
et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?bisous. x

tranquilosophy: 2015 dreams

Happy, happy new year. A fresh start and the chance to begin anew.

After penning yesterday's post on my 2014 takeaways, I headed to Tranquil Space to lead a three-hour mindfulness and yoga mini retreat for a lovely group. Next, we headed into the woods to ring in the new year with our good friends, Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin. And, I'm proud to say I actually made it to watch the ball drop unlike last year.

For the past three years I've headed up to New York City on January 1 to immerse myself in a few days of a Jivamukti yoga gathering. This year I decided to stay home to tackle decluttering and a slower transition into the new year.

Although today hasn't felt particularly different, I'm sensing a welcomed shift. I began reading Essentialism , napped, took my inbox from 300 to 21, welcomed the 52 Weeks of Tranquility group, set up an extensive collection of notebooks in Evernote, and enjoyed a family walk in the woods.

After this post, I'm settling in for a hot bath. Not a bad start to 2015.

Considering all the hubbub around resolutions, I wanted to share mine with hope of strengthening accountability and connection in our online community. An assortment is listed below in no particular order.

1. Be present. Connect to my felt sense and what is happening in front of me often.

2. Single-task. Do one thing at a time. Here's why.

3. Digital time off. Give my brain and tech toys a much-needed rest. Shut the computer by 10pm. Avoid opening email first thing.

4. Use Evernote. Streamline my inbox, ideas, and resources with this tool.

5. Pen 52 Weeks of Tranquility. Offer this free program for love note subscribers (launching Monday) with lots of love to spread tranquility throughout 2015.

6. Launch VIP Days. Design one on one half-day or full-day mentoring sessions in a beautiful setting to dive into one's life's dreams.

7. Regular creativity. Spend time alone with my computer to muse and develop future projects. Go on Artist Dates. Dabble in my art journal.

8. Regular sits on the cushion. Create a consistent 10-minute session on my damask meditation cushion.

9. Date nights. Plan weekly date nights with Le Beau to strengthen our connection beyond the work we do together.

10. Daily movement. Yoga, gym, biking, dance, long walks with Le Pug.

11. Clarify business goals. Set SMART goals to help my team and myself meet milestones.

12. Pare down to the essentials. Shed non-essentials: roles, clothes, books, stuff, to-dos, emails, evens.

13. Surround myself with beauty. Fresh flowers, candles, twinkle lights, organized space.

14. Family time. Make cuddle time with my multiple four-legged family a priority.

15. Advocate for the animals. Supporting organizations speaking out against the atrocities of factory farming remains a top passion of mine.

What are your dreams for 2015? Ponder beyond the to-do list and contemplate a to-be list. What wants attention? It's your year. Make it shine.

Finally, below is a wonderful challenge I received today from Into-Mind. It's filled with lovely suggestions to have more meaning and less clutter in our lives.

Wishing you a beautiful start to 2015. Bisous. x

image courtesy of into-mind

wednesday well-being: 2014 takeaways

Au revoir 2014. You've been a year of anniversaries, creative expression, and growth with a splash of challenge.

As I prepare to lead today's three-hour Yoga + Mindfulness Mini Retreat at Tranquil Space and launch the 52 Weeks of Tranquility Program to my mailing list, I'm taking a moment to reflect on this year's takeaways.

By sharing them here, I'm hopeful they'll give you an inside peek and offer encouragement to pen your own takeaways. A smattering of mine are listed below in no particular order.

1. Read, read, read. I devoured books at a quicker than usual pace this year and finally joined Goodreads. When struggling, I turned to books and often found the answers tucked inside. Even last Tuesday while riding the Metro, I pulled up Thrive on my Kindle. Surprisingly enough, I'd stopped reading months ago at the exact spot I needed to read last week.

2. Get in touch with feelings. Through mindfulness and yoga practices, I've learned the importance of getting out of the head and into the body. During daily life I'll often take a moment to tune in to the feelings around a comment, situation, or experience. One practice is called focusing and connecting to the felt sense.

3. Therapy rocks. Through my work at The Women's Center, I've found the connection with clients through therapy to be an amazing tool for self-growth and understanding. Finding a therapist of my own this year has also been an insightful way for me to explore and deepen my own self-understanding.

4. Creativity. The majority of this year was focused on bringing two new babies { Anthology and Daybook } into the world. In addition, there were multiple classes, programs, and exercises to help deepen my writing practice. Having a play date in Paris to make natural beauty products, releasing new TranquiliT collections, and penning weekly Love Notes also nurtured this side of me.

5. Simplify. This was my word of the year and I plan to carry it into 2015, too. Thoreau said, "Life is frittered away by details. Simplify, simplify, simplify." While I'm a big proponent of paying attention to the details {doilies, twinkle lights, lavender candles}, I also appreciate the notion of paring down to the essentials. While twinkle lights are an essential to me, there's been a big focus on exploring what is and is not working in my schedule, in my relationships, in my home, and moving toward making changes. Also, I've just downloaded Essentialism onto my Kindle and I plan to devour it over the next few days.

6. Add a dose of sparkle. I'm donning sequin leggings to teach today's workshop and believe strongly in the power of dress-up. Sparkle doesn't have to come in the form of anything glittery, it's a state of mind. Dabbing my favorite perfume behind my ears each morning, brushing cat eyes on with a heavy liner, or applying red lipstick prepares me to enter the world. Lighting a candle when I get home, helping clients have an aha moment, or spending sacred time with my family is a dose of sparkle. Hanging pink twinkle lights and silver garland gets me into a celebratory state of mind.

7. Celebrate. This year was filled with many celebrations. From a 10-year anniversary with Le Beau, to a 15-year anniversary of Tranquil Space, to a 10-year anniversary of this blog, Tranquility du Jour, to a 10-year birthday for Le Pug. Although most years don't have so many anniversaries, it's important to stop, step back, and acknowledge the transitions of life. Ideally with a flute of bubbly in hand.

8. Move. I rarely walk around town as I'm typically on my pink bike zooming to and fro. Even biking home late last night after seeing clients into the wee hours, I loved feeling the cool fresh air on my skin and breathing it in deeply. Yoga continues to be a big part of my life along with occasional jaunts to the gym. A little bit of movement each day is critical to my mental health.

9. Speak up for what matters. In May I participated in a Mercy for Animals protest along with my visiting mom and friend Carol. Stopping animal abuse in all forms remains incredibly close to my heart. Here are 55 ways to help animals per Humane Society of the United Sates.

10. Stay present. I've noticed that I tend to get the most riled up when I'm trying to multitask or figure out too many things at once. Coming back to my breath over and over is the best way I've learned to battle my deep desire to accomplish more and more. Thank goodness for mindfulness as it's teaching me how to simplify, slow down, and begin again.

As you look back on your year, what themes stick out? What lessons did you learn? What were some of your highlights {think experiences}? Give 2014 the final reflective moments it deserves and then get ready for an exciting brand new year. A fresh slate. Move into it with your takeaways and tie them into your 2015 dreams. Bisous. x

52 weeks reminder

Tomorrow I'll be sending out a welcome to 52 Weeks of Tranquility . If you haven't joined the newsletter list, please do so now. This complimentary program will be shared weekly via email only through the list.


Also, tomorrow I'm sharing my 2014 Top Takeaways, so it's a not-to-miss edition of Tranquility du Jour Love Notes.

Wishing you and yours a beautiful transition into this brand new year. I'm delighted to be a part of it. Bisous. x

things i love

image and how-to courtesy of honestlywtf1. woven wall hanging
image and how-to courtesy of lilyshop
2. dolled up mason jars

how-to and image courtesy of i spy diy
3. darling DIY mug

image courtesy of pink peonies
4. glamorous office

how-to and image courtesy of two peas and their pod
5. yummy rosemary roasted almonds

announcing 52 weeks of tranquility

I hope your hollydaze were filled with treats, timelessness, and a splash of tranquility.

As the new year approaches, I wanted to create a way for us to stay motivated and engaged. Thus, the creation of the *complimentary* 52 Weeks of Tranquility.

Each week in 2015 I'll be sending inspiration and, of course, eye candy your way via email. There will also be a private Facebook group for building community and seasonal Tranquilosophy podcasts to connect live.

On New Year's Eve I'll be launching the weekly program via my mailing list. To participate, simply join the list.

If you're already subscribed, there's nothing to do as you'll get everything in your inbox on Wednesday.

This is my gift to you. Thank you for reading, listening, and supporting Tranquility du Jour.

May your new year be filled with fresh flowers, yoga, blooming tea, and piles of books. Bisous.

week in review

 tranquil space team yoga practice
macarons for team practice santa pic with le pug
writing in the national cathedral library
christmas eve yoga practice
christmas eve dining at my fave resto
candlelight christmas eve service
christmas family selfie gone wrong
 gold nails wrapped around green tea

week in review
taught 3 classes
took 2 yoga auditions
took 1 yoga class
took le pug for santa pics
taught team yoga class
lunch date with girlfriend
penned winter solstice piece
writing group dinner and writing at the national cathedral
call with mentor
part-time work at the women's center
spontaneous christmas eve dining at the olive garden {true story}
sang holiday tunes at candlelight christmas eve service
saw wild {great film}
hosted a mentoring session
gold glittery mani
ate chinese on christmas
opened gifts and called family
released podcast: life purpose boot camp
shared things i love
announced winter's online book club pick {read along}
sent hollydaze love note with 2 gifts to museletter subscribers {sign up here}
searched for runaway kitty in the woods at 1am {found him 12 feet up a tree, sigh}
 read cath kidston's book, coming up roses
finished bird by bird by anne lamott
tracked lots of packages
shipped products
gifted holiday treats
picked up peonies

weekend wish list
finish and mail thank-yous
strategic planning
dream up VIP days and 52 weeks programs
read
write
dream
rest

et toi? what's on your weekend wish list?
bisous. x

things i love

image courtesy of my arts desire1. inspiring art journals

image courtesy of shabbyfufu2. pink glittery pine cones


image courtesy of carly christman
3. chic style

image courtesy of smart school house
4. sugar scrubs

image courtesy of inspired by this
5. holiday style

tranquility du jour #328: life purpose boot camp

Welcome to the 328th edition of Tranquility du Jour. Today's show features Eric Maisel on Life Purpose Boot Camp. You'll learn about creating meaning, naming your life purposes, and upgrading your personality.

A BIG thank you for your support of my latest creative babies: Anthology and Daybook .

Give the gift of tranquility this holiday {purchase 3 copies of either} and receive a complimentary yoga CD of your choice.

Pen a review on Amazon or Goodreads or snap a picture and share on social media, send moi the link and your snail mail addy, and I'll get a love note out to you.  

Merci beaucoup for spreading tranquility over the hollydaze and beyond. x


Direct download: tranquility du jour #328: life purpose boot camp (mp3)


Featured Guest: Eric Maisel, PhD, is a licensed psychotherapist and the author of Life Purpose Boot Camp and numerous other titles including Mastering Creative Anxiety, Brainstorm, Coaching the Artist Within, and Rethinking Depression. Visit him online at lifepurposebootcamp.info.

Savvy Sources:Website: ericmaisel.com
Former episodes with Eric: Rethinking Depression, Making Your Creative Mark, Creativity Coach
Seasonal online book club pick: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Next FREE Tranquilosophy Seasonal Podcast:  Monday, January 5 at 3pm ET
Tranquility du Jour iPhone and Android app
Stay Au Courant:New? Peruse my FAQs.Join moi for a retreat, workshop, e-course, or seasonal podcast.Find moi on Goodreads. Connect on Facebook.Follow on Twitter.  View pics on Instagram @tranquilitydujour.Browse my books.Receive weekly Tranquility du Jour Love Notes. Read about my passion for pigs.Pen a review on iTunes.
Techy:To listen, click on the player at the top of the post or click here to listen to older episodes. New to podcasting? Get more info at Podcast 411.Do you have iTunes? Click here and subscribe to the podcast to get the latest episode as released.Get the Tranquility du Jour apps to get the podcast automagically on iOS or Android.