Leonie Dawson's Blog, page 45

Day 10: Adulting

Panda bears,

It’s a rainy Sunday. So rainy, in fact, that our roof is leaking in two places, and we’ve had to call out the emergency roofing guys. It’s our first leaking roof experience. I’ve never felt like more of an adult. You know, that’s all I think getting older is: ticking off more things in the human experiences list. LEAKING ROOF? TICK.

Not sure I’ll get to writing tomorrow – we’re doing an early Christmas with my in-laws, providing the rain doesn’t hinder the way. I skipped writing on Friday as well, and instead took to bed for the afternoon again. I don’t know if it’s a hormonal thing, a weather thing, an end-of-the-year thing, but I’ve had headaches appear around midday for a few days now and stick around. I’m taking it as a sign to start shifting down gears and rest more.

We finished another season of Alone last night, and I straight up CHEERED for the winner (and the runner-up). For those who haven’t heard me before in my many, many fan-girl rants about this show: it’s a reality TV show where they drop 10 people into the wilderness in separate locations by themselves. They have to last as long as they can off the land. The longest one out there wins. It really is my very favourite reality TV show of all time. It’s cinematic and quiet and completely intriguing. Plus, I think it touches something deep inside us – this not-so-distant memory where we needed to survive off the earth using only our hands.

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It’s now Tuesday. In-law Christmas DONE! Guide to a stress free Christmas blog post DONE!

Still to do:

Finish 2020 Best Books list
Sell another $100k of books in the next month.

In more adulthood news, the rain caused a sinkhole over our old sewerage system, so we are calling in a man with an excavator to fill it. I briefly considered filling it myself with spade and wheelbarrow, transporting soil from the back of our acreage up to the sinkhole.

Because in my heart of hearts, I’m a farm girl, used to pulling off great miracles from sweat alone. I think of mustering cattle all day in the sweltering summer when I was 8. I think of picking up 2 tonnes of hay in an afternoon in 25kg bales when I was 14. But that was then, and this is now. In the intervening years, with two pregnancies, my ligaments have become excessively hypermobile, and I dislocate bones with alarming regularity. The last time I went hiking, I dislocated both hips and prolapsed a disc.

I did three grunting loads, realised I’d approximately filled 5% of the sinkhole, and was already starting to feel the tell tale pulls of ligaments. So I thought: you know what? Let’s save the months-long recovery process, save on the osteopath bills and just hire a fucking machine for $300 and be done with it.

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It’s now Friday.

It’s been a big week.

I got my diagnostic review at last, and was formally diagnosed with ASD. It’s still sinking in, and I think the insights will continue to emerge for days and months to come. Mostly, I just feel relieved and proud.

I’ve finished my Best Books list for the year. I often think about how it’s the most time-intensive thing I product each year… purely because of the hundreds of hours I spend reading to research. But, let’s face it, I’d be reading anyways. And I GET TO READ BOOKS. I am officially living the dream!

I’ve been struggling with a headache and resultant brain fog… likely from those three loads of dirt I wheelbarrowed. My shoulders and neck are tiiiiiiight. I need to get a massage.

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Saturday.

I woke up just after 6am this morning to get an early morning massage/body work session.

I live down the road from an older bloke who does all kinds of body work, and is a bit of a legend around these parts. He could only fit me in for an early morning session though, so I took it.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered I wasn’t even his first client for the day… he’d already done two hours of sessions before me. Fuck me, people really ARE keen to see him.

After the session though, I can see why. Dude has a gift.

I realised a month or so ago that I don’t have a good massage therapist close by – I’ve been getting by on osteo sessions from Dr Soph (who is brilliant). I’m glad I’ve found this dude, he’ll be an awesome resource too.

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This mish-mash of diary entries has taken me a week or so to pull together.

I’ve been creating everyday, and feeling like I’m in the swing of things. Everyday, I wake up and think: I could write about that! And I can barely wait to get to my laptop and begin to tap tap tap away, let the words form and flow out. I’m remembering who I am again, and what I have to say. It’s exactly what I hoped for when I started doing this experiment. What a miracle.

I’ll keep writing to you.

I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad we’re here. I’m glad we’re doing this.

Love,

Your Penpal,

Leonie

P.S. If you’d like my daily writings sent to you by email, sign up at the form here.

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IMPORTANT: 2021 Goal Getter books are gone 15 Jan

 

Babes,

I’m doing something I’ve never done before.

For the very first time ever, on January 15th I’ll be CLOSING SALES for the 2021 workbooks & planners.

After Jan 15, they will officially be out of print and you won’t be able to purchase ANY of the 2021 range.

So if you’ve been thinking about ordering, make sure you ORDER NOW! Do NOTTTT MISS OUT!

I can totally hear you asking: “But whyyyyy Leonie? What if I want to buy them later in the year!”

I’m closing for two reasons:

Most people tend to buy before then anyway!
Self publishing this year has been fantastic and opened so many more doors in terms of product customisation and companion products BUT… It has added a huge admin load to my assistant’s day. There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes with the workbooks that takes up most of her time, and we need to be able to move on to other creative projects!

So! The shop will close January 15th and it won’t open again until we launch the 2022 workbooks.

If you’ve got any friends or family who need the workbooks… make sure you TELL THEM TO GO BUY NOW (or buy them it as the very best gift ever!)

Righto… can’t wait to dream & create some goals with you!

Big love,

Leonie

P.S. KNOW this is the busy season. I know you’re focussing on Christmas right now. I just don’t want you to forget to order before Jan 15. I don’t want you to email me on January 16th and say “omg but Leonie I forgot!” We absoloodely won’t be able to help… printing machines will be OFF. Don’t forget & order yours now.

 

Days left before 2021 Goal Getter planners are gone!

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

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Minute(s)

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Second(s)

The post IMPORTANT: 2021 Goal Getter books are gone 15 Jan appeared first on Leonie Dawson | Shining Life + Biz.

Best Books 2020

Precious humans,

Fuck me it’s my favourite time of year. Not because of that whole Christmas thing, though that’s fine too. This is something better than that. I GET TO TALK ABOUT MY FAVOURITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR. *AND* IT IS WORKBOOK SEASON!

If you’ve been around these parts for any length of time, you’ll know this is an annual tradition I’ve been doing since 2012. You can find all the yearly book lists here.

As always, this is not a list of the best books published for the year – just the books I read in that year. As they say in High Fidelity, the records are organised autobiographically.

AND… for a special bonus… I’ll even throw in my favourite TV shows + courses this year too. DON’T SAY I DON’T SPOIL YOU.

You can also listen as a podcast episode below, if that’s more up your alley!

How many books I read in 2020

First up: the big question! How many books did I read this year?

Last year was a record – I read over 400 (!!!) books. And I was suuuuuper excited to make that happen.

But then we were evacuated from a bushfire, and then the rest of Australia was engulfed in a bushfire crisis, and then we fell into the new reality of Pandemic World. Not to mention that whole fucked up American election cycle.

All that trauma, anxiety and communal stress contributed to my brain shutting down. It felt like my brain was exhausted already just from taking in all that new information. And for the first time in my life, I found myself  unable to read for months at a time.

Instead, all I could manage was re-reading old favourites like a comfort blanket, and waiting for it to pass (I’ll tell you which ones they were as well!)

All up, I read 130 books this year… nowhere near last year’s record, but still a glad effort!

WHAT FORMAT I CONSUMED BOOKS IN

60% of the books I read were on Kindle

35% of the books I read were paperbacks

5% were Audible audiobooks

I’m still working my way through the last piles of paperbacks I’ve had for years & needed to read. Once they were read, I gave them to friends or donated them to our local charity.

Next year I will probably move to even less paperbacks – I really do prefer reading on the Kindle Paperwhite with built in backlight. It’s easier on the eyes & hands, and now I am middle aged, THESE THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

KINDS OF BOOKS I READ

I have been subsisting on a literary diet of business, personal development, social justice, graphic memoirs and romance for years now… that stayed the same with no new additions.

RIGHTO! THAT’S ENOUGH PRE-AMBLE!
LET’S TALK BEST BOOKS!
Non-fiction

The Way Home – Mark Boyle

I loved Mark’s previous book “The Moneyless Man” about his year living without money.

In this book, he takes the experiment further and lives completely without technology.

It’s riveting and beautiful and a little bit heartbreaking too.

Protecting the Gift – Gavin De Becker

This was an awesome read about protective parenting. It’s not a FUN read, mind you, but an important one nonetheless.

So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed – Jon Ronson

What happens after you’ve been “cancelled”. Jon interviews a bunch of people who’ve had it happen to them – from tweets getting them fired to having their sex tapes released. Insightful, touching and sobering.

The Million Dollar One Person Business – Elaine Pofeldt

Honestly, I just loved this one purely to read about other businesses like mine. It’s so nice to see my kind of business model getting more and more exposure!

Don’t Bother – Millie O’Neill

I bought this at my favourite bookstore hangout just as something to read over my usual chai tea and lemon coconut slice. I didn’t have high expectations, just needed something slightly amusing. This, however, had me full blown public laffing and talking about nonstop for two days. The next time I was in there, I marched up to the counter and told the owner to feature it under a spotlight because it was stupidly funny. A very elderly woman was there, heard me, and decided to buy it purely off my loud proclamation. I have no idea what she thought of it… there is a shit tonne of swearing in it, and stupidly savage sarcasm. I can only hope it was as bright a spark in her day as it was in mine. HO HO HO.

Fuck No – Sarah Knight

Another book bought at River Read just to read over chai tea and lemon coconut slice that ended up being pretty brilliant. An excellent playbook for people pleasers who can’t say no to shit. Kind of like a step-by-step boundaries guide which is warm & amusing all at once.

The Wild Silence – Raynor Winn

I was THRILLED to see Raynor had a new book out… her previous book The Salt Path was so incredible and evocative. I was slightly bummed there wasn’t more hiking in it (which The Salt Path centres around), but I’ll read anything Raynor writes. She has a rare way with words and with living.

Covid-19: Dr Michael Mosley

It felt really good to read a book about Covid when we heard so much conflicting information from so many sources. I liked how it drew on the medical research & data available at that point. It was actually a great relief to read – the virus no longer felt like this great unknown anymore.

I’ve already talked about this a fuck tonne, but just to reiterate: I am NOT a Covid-denier. I did not fall down a rabbit hole of watching Youtube “documentaries”. I didn’t accidentally become a Nazi right-winger conspiracy theorist this year.

I stand on the side of science. And data. And public health. And not being a motherfucking Nazi.

Keep Going – Austin Kleon

I loved it so much I made a poster of his creative rules.

Millionaire Booklet – Grant Cardone

It was a good, short read on money and investing. Full disclosure: I do feel a bit ick about including it here, however. Purely because I ordered more books from his website after reading this, and it arrived in a Grant Cardone branded box with the catchphrase “AIN’T NO VIRUS GONNA STOP US.” It felt like it was straying into MAGA territory. Wooooof. #stillnotsure

Shit Towns of Australia – Rick Furphy & Geoff Rissole

And now for something completely different… this one had me laffing myself stupid while Chris valiantly tried to sleep beside me. It is a travel guide to Australian towns… but instead of pointing out the highlights, it savagely reveals the lowlights. SO GREAT. Wet your tastebuds on their Facebook page and see if it strikes your funny bone!

Graphic Novels

New Kid – Jerry Craft

A great graphic memoir about an African-American kid navigating a new school. It beautifully illustrates how racism impacts BIPOC on a daily basis in a series of microaggressions. And it’s also just a beautiful memoir of being a creative kid and finding your place in the world.

As soon as I finished, I handed to my 10 year old which she immediately devoured too. You know it’s a great book when you can do that!

Heartstopper 1, 2 and 3 – Alice Osman

Oh goodness. How do I even begin to talk about this adorable comic?

It’s the (fictional) love story of two teenage boys. It’s heart-opening and utterly adorable.

I can NOT WAIT for Volume 4!

Anne of Green Gables – a graphic novel

BUCKLE UP GUYZ. Because I’m going to say something which could be COMPLETELY CONTROVERSIAL.

So: this graphic novel is HANDS DOWN the BEST WAY I’ve ever consumed Anne of Green Gables.

Better than the original book. Better than the TV series.

I know, I know. It’s hard to beat those.

But holy fuck. This graphic novel. It is… B E A U T I F U L.

The images are wildly stunning, and it is evocative AF.

It was a romantic whirlwind to read this book, and I feel like I disappeared into another place as I read it.

Plus… having more formats of Anne with an E is not a bad thing for this world!

The Best We Could Do – Thi Bui

This was one of Bill Gates’ best reads from a year or two ago, so I bought it for my husband as a gift then.

Seeing as it’s a graphic memoir though (aka my favouritest book genre of ALL TIME), I read it before he did. HO HO HO.

It’s the beautifully rendered true story of a refugee family. It felt startling to experience the Vietnam War through this book. I can’t recommend it enough.

Also: if you think Bill Gates is a lizard paedophile hellbent on microchipping the world with vaccines, you’re in the wrong place babes. Nazi conspiracy theories aren’t my jam. My ancestors died fighting against the Nazi regime, so I’m not going to dishonour their memory by watching a few Youtube “documentaries” during quarantine and accidentally falling down an alt-right wing conspiracy hole.

Go To Sleep – I Miss You – Lucy Knisley

I love every book written by Lucy Knisley, ever. But this one was stunningly good. The perfect gift for new mamas.

Book Love, Quiet Girl In A Noisy World and Happily Ever After – Debbie Tung

I fell down a Debbie Tung rabbit hole this year (the only kind of 2020 rabbit hole I’ll fall down!) and fell madly in love. All her books are glorious and wonderful. Highly recommended for sensitives, ASDs, introverts & book nerds.

The Life Changing Manga Of Tidying Up – Marie Kondo

I haven’t read the original book… but a GRAPHIC NOVEL VERSION? GIMME GIMME GIMME.

I hereby suggest all books should have a graphic novel version for those of us who read even better with pictures!

How to Appear Normal At Social Events – Lord Birthday

Another present I bought for Chris and promptly consumed, chortling loudly as I did so.

So very very silly and very very wonderful.

Dear Scarlet: The Story of My Postpartum Depression – Teresa Wong

Me too, boo. Me too.

I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf – Grant Snider

A graphic novel about BOOKS you say? How very META.

And RIGHT UP MY ALLEY!

Mama Tried – Emily Flake

Another glorious graphic novel for mamas. I love that our stories are being told like this.

The Amazing True Story of a Teenage Single Mum – Katherine Arnoldi

As it says on the box: it’s the amazing true story of a teen single mum. Ha!

I appreciated how much more empathy it gave me for teen parents who don’t have any support, and the sheer grit & courage they need to get through life.

Making Comics – Lynda Barry

I loved the wonky wild drawings in this book. Like taking a class on creativity with the most irreverent teacher you can dream up. Delicious!

Social Justice

Real Cost of Prisons Comix and Race to Incarcerate

I read both of these back to back in one weekend, so they are kind of superimposed together in my mind.

A horrifying and grim analysis of the prison industrial complex in the US, and how racist it is.

After reading this, Wild Bushman Dad called, and I spent a good amount of time ranting about this.

That’s on HIM for choosing a big ole leftie hippie as a daughter.

I will say though: I couldn’t be more proud of my Dad for NOT being a Trumphead.

In his own eloquent words:

“That Trump… he’s a fucken insane bastard, he is! He’s off his fucken head!”

Gender – A Graphic Guide – Meg-John Barker and Jules Scheele

I ADORED their first book: Queer: A Graphic History, so was thrilled to read this one. Like taking a university course on gender but with… you know… PICTURES! HOORAY!

Also thrilled to hear they have A Graphic Guide to Sexuality coming out soon too! EVEN MORE HOORAYS!

Beyond the Gender Binary – Alok Vaid-Menon

I love these little Pocket Change Collective books. Concise and thoughtful essays on important topics. And I squuuued with excitement that Chella Man has one coming out soon too!

Good Talk – Mira Jacob

Oh holy shit this was great. A graphic memoir of conversations about race. Highly highly recommend.

Heavy – Kiese Laymon

Mate, this bloke is an intensely good writer. I’d find myself kind of holding my breath as I read his words. On race, weight, family & all the hard things in life.

Gaysia – Benjamin Law

A hilarious, touching and sobering journey through LGBTQIA+ communities in Asia. Am immediately going to read all his books now!

A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns – Archie Bongiovanni & Tristan Jimerson

Short graphic introduction to they/them pronouns. Perfect if you know someone who is using they/them pronouns, or if you’d like to understand non-binary pronouns.

Romance

Get A Life, Chloe Brown – Talia Hibbert (and allll her books)

And by ALL OF HER BOOKS, I MEAN ALL OF HER BOOKS. I read every last one of them this year… I think 8? Maybe more?

My very favourite part is how intersectional these romance books are. People of colour! People with disabilities! Neurotypical brains in love! It’s.just.delicious.

Plus, they are hot as fuck.

Love Lettering – Kate Clayborn

Another chick I totally read out this year. I started with Love Lettering, and read through her Chance of a Lifetime trilogy too.

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird – Josie Silver

This was a bit more heart-wrenching than I usually go for… but this was too beautiful to resist.

Party of Two – Jasmine Guillory

Jasmine’s books are ALWAYS scrumptious. Have read all of them AND pre-ordered her next one.

Waiting for Tom Hanks and Not Like The Movies – Kerry Winfrey

Kerry is another new literary love affair for me this year. Holy shit these books were CUTE.

The Cactus – Sarah Haywood

If you’re into Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, this one has similar energy.

Love In Row 27 – Eithne Shortall

It’s the first romance book I read in 2020, and it was suhweeeeet.

Re-reading

When I went through my “Can’t Read Any New Books Because I Have Pandemic Brain”, these are the authors I re-read:

Tessa Dare
Christina Lauren
Beth O’Leary – The Flatshare

Favourite Online Courses

While we are at it, here’s my favourite online courses I did for the year!

Katie Chappell’s Bullet Journal Gang
Ericka Hart Gender 101
Ericka Hart Racism & Social Justice 101
Flourishing in Stressful Times with Tara Brach
Rachel Cargle – Unpacking White Feminism
Annie Liebovitz – Photography Masterclass
Louise O’Reilly – Introduction to Culturally Inclusive Language

Favourite TV shows of the Year

There wasn’t any movies I adored this year, but TV shows? BIG TIME.

Alone
Long Way Up
Ted Lasso

And I’m still a massive fan of my own books:

I made the Goal Getter workbooks for me, so why wouldn’t I be? And I still use them every single year to plan my big goals & dreams for the year, and make them happen. I usually start mine on Boxing Day, and my fingers are ITCHING to get started!

(Remember, if you want the 2021 Goal Getter planners, they are only available until January 15!)

I wrote my first erotic romance novella this year. I think I’ve read it about a dozen times since then. I can’t get enough! Honestly, I make shit that I’m going to love for me. Anybody else who loves them is just a bonus!

Hooray!

It’s been a big, beautiful year of reading… and I can’t wait for next year!

May these words nourish & inspire you.

Big bookworm love,

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Video: The Business Balancing Act!

Lovebugs!

Balance.

Oh so important for the success, health and happiness.

Let’s talk about how I find balance between working IN my business and working ON my business (I promise there’s a difference).

Working ON my business meaning working on things that will help my business grow and continue to encourage massive growth, action and results.

Working IN my business meaning super important stuff like customer service and delivering to clients, but aren’t the things that are going to give me a clear view of my business and what’s working or not.

Have a watch as I talk about education days, goal setting, masterminds, coaches and a life outside of the office.

But I wanna know! How do you make sure that you’re working on your business instead of just in your business?

And make sure you check out my Goal Getter books for all your goal setting needs! The shop will be closing January 15th so get in quick! No new orders can be placed after that date!!!

Love always,  

 

 

 

 

P.S. Want to achieve your shining creative goals in life AND biz? Click HERE!

 

 

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ASD AF: OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED

Dearests,

It’s a momentous day for me.

A couple of hours ago, I heard the words I’ve been waiting for all my life.

“Congratulations, you have ASD.”

I’ve known intuitively for six years now that Asperger’s is who I am, a part of my makeup, the constellation of my stars. And after giving myself the gift of a formal diagnostic process this year, I know it firmly and officially now too.

ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) has given me deep and wide blessings in my life:

+ my sensitivity to seeing life in full colour

+ my ability to hyperfocus like a motherfucker

+ my obsession with learning

+ my quirkiness & my bluntness

+ my way of seeing things.

It’s also brought with it challenges too:

+ how much I am emotionally & physically exhausted by life & social situations

+ how hard I struggled socially as a kid, feeling like I’d missed out on an important chip in the operating system

+ how hard it is to understand other people sometimes.

One big thing I want to share is this: girls & women usually are not diagnosed with ASD because most psychologists & society at large is only aware of the ASD traits in boys & men. Girls & women have a completely different checklist. We aren’t the typical “Sheldons” – we are much better at learning how to mask socially, but it comes at a cost.

If you asked me if I would wish it away, I would never. ASD is part of what makes my life richer, deeper & more divine. ASD is one of my superpowers.

I’m so fucking PROUD to be neurodiverse. This world needs ALL OF US, with our rainbow of brains, abilities, genders & sexualities to be whole & magnificent.

I love you,

Leonie

Also: ASD AF

P.S. If you want to learn more, you can listen to my latest “ASD AF” episode on “Leonie Dawson Refuses To Be Categorised” podcast… available on Spotify, iTunes and ALL THE THINGS!

P.P.S. Here’s my original blog post from five years ago.

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How To Be Stress-Free Organised For Christmas

Panda bears,

I will say this is the most unlikely post I’ll ever wrote. I’m definitely NOT a naturally organised person. But this is the tale of how I went from Christmas Mess to Organised Success. COMPLETE WITH HORRIFICALLY CLICHED PHRASES. YA WELCOME!

So, two years ago I got served at Woolies by a checkout chick named Sally. It was a week or two before Christmas, and she asked if we were all organised for Christmas. And I straight out barked with laughter and said “NO! THAT IS WHAT THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS IS FOR!” 

And then I said: “Well… what about YOU? Are YOU organised for Christmas yet?” 

She replied: “Of course. I’m done with my Christmas prep by the end of November every year. All the gifts are bought and wrapped, and I’ve stocked my pantry, and I’ve meal planned and prepped. I just like doing it this way so I can just enjoy the season instead of feeling stressed about what needs to be done.”

That blew my fucking mind, clearly. Because it stayed with me. And come the next November, I thought of Sally, and I decided to try having A Very Sally Christmas, just to see what this Uber Organised Malarkey was all about. I set up a spreadsheet of everything I needed to organise, and a list of what to buy for who. And then I got started and finished up by end November.

And what do you know! I was WAY less stressed. I was perfectly SMUG with my organisational supremacy. We spent less money and were more thoughtful with what we bought. There was no rushing. Just… enjoying. Crazy, right?

So I repeated it again this year, and basically nailed it again. I reckon I’ll always do November Christmas Prep now – it’s that fulfilling and much less stressful.

Here’s the sneak peek into my spreadsheet

First up, my organisational to do list. I’ve still got a couple of things to do that I needed to wait on the timing for, but they’ll get done this week.

I’ll take you through the details of the list incase you’re interested:

Food: This is my second year ordering a HelloFresh Christmas box – I loved cooking with it last year. We have 3 adults + 2 kids for Christmas. We get the 4-6 person box and it gives us a crap tonne of leftovers. If we don’t order HelloFresh, we usually keep it super simple. Pancakes for breakfast. A roast meat and roast vegetables for lunch. Leftovers for dinner.
Gingerbread house: We’ve tried out a bunch of different gingerbread house kits before. Gingerbread Folk do the yummiest by far – and they also offer dietary sensitivity ones. I like they aren’t overly huge so we don’t have to throw any out. Just a heads up – the kits don’t come with lollies to decorate with. I just got a little cylinder of mini M&Ms to decorate ours with.
Advent traditions: My kids share a LEGO Friends advent calendar every year, and take it in turns to do the build for the day. The pieces get added to their LEGO collection afterwards. We also give them new Christmas pyjamas and a Christmas book.
Christmas cards: I order personalised Christmas cards with a family photo on it from Vistaprint each year. I have a Google Drive spreadsheet with the names & addresses of the 50 odd family + friends I send to each year.
Christmas letter: YES, I am ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. I write a 2-4 page Christmas letter every year and send them to 50+ friends and family. And I’ve been doing that since I was 19! Ha! I blame it on the fact I grew up in the country. A Christmas letter was often the only time we heard from long-distance relatives! I bloody LOVE getting Christmas letters. Mine are artsy & illustrated. This year I drew it all using Procreate app on my iPad with Apple Pen.
Santa photo: Ever since Starry was a baby, we get a family photo with Santa. I’ve got them all in white frames that I bring out and display every December. It thrills me to end to line up all 10 years of photos and watch as our family grows over the years. This year’s one will likely look different – Santa photos this year are either socially distanced or greenscreened.
Print album for the year: I started this family tradition as well when Starry was a baby. I use Blurb to print my favourite digital photos for the year. I use their free software that pulls from your social media or phone (or both). I also like that the books are stored digitally on Blurb incase I ever need to reprint the books!

And then of course, the presents-to-buy list.

With kids, we usually do something like:

Large toy (i.e. a LEGO set)
Book
Craft kit
Something to wear

As I get things, I colour them in green so I know at a glance what I need to buy and what’s already sorted.

All in all, we’re coasting in to Christmas stress-free and without overspending or overbuying. It feels bloody glorious.

All because of Sally the checkout chick.

And one more thing, that’s arguably the most important: fuck having a perfect Christmas. Let it be ordinary. Let it be gentle. Lower your expectations and allow yourself (and the others around you) to be human.

May you have a super Sally Christmas this year.

I’m rootin’ for you!

Big love,

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Video: 4 Ways Becoming a Business Owner has Changed My Life

Baberinos!

Let’s talk about the 4 major ways having a business has blessed my life beyond my wildest dreams!

Number 1! I am so grateful that I have built a business that has enabled me to spend as much time with my family as possible. I didn’t ever want to sacrifice my family for business.
Number 2! I cannot begin to express how much I appreciate the freedom that we’ve had to live anywhere, and we’ve been able to live all over Australia.
Number 3! I feel so grateful that we’ve been able to do such amazing philanthropic work! We are in the top 1% of Kiva lenders worldwide and we’ve recently donated $20’000 to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
Number 4! I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to do this and show extreme self-care. I have experienced chronic health problems, mental health issues, pregnancy issues and hospitalised for lots of different stuff. So to have a business that can support me and my family during those times is just so brilliant and humbling.

If you’re thinking of growing a business, or you’re in the middle of that process, my tip to you is to build a business that fits you and do it in a way that serves you and your soul and your family. I’d love to know what has been your biggest blessing in your life from having a business!

Let’s go make miracles happen!

Love always,  

 

 

 

 

P.S. Want to achieve your shining creative goals in life AND biz? Click HERE!

 

 

The post Video: 4 Ways Becoming a Business Owner has Changed My Life appeared first on Leonie Dawson | Shining Life + Biz.

Podcast: How to Record a Podcast!

My little recording buddies…

Today… A podcast about… podcasts!

INCEPTION

Video: 3 Questions I Ask My Ideal Client

My loves!

Here are the top three Qs I ask potential clients!

Do you fucking love swearbears? If so, a big tick from me.
Are you FINALLY ready to actually get some shit done? I work with goal oriented action takers, y’all!
Do you understand and respect boundaries? If not, gooooodbye!!!

In return, I am totes magotes happy to teach you absolutely everything I know about money, writing, publishing, selling books, ecourses and MOAR! So! Do you fit that criteria?

Love always,  

 

 

 

 

P.S. Unofficial fourth question… Do you love ridiculous hats? Hint: Answer must be yes.

P.P.S. Want to achieve your shining creative goals in life AND biz? Click HERE!

 

 

The post Video: 3 Questions I Ask My Ideal Client appeared first on Leonie Dawson | Shining Life + Biz.

Video: Outside Hobbies that Help My Biz!

Gorgeous ones!

UMBRELLA HATS FTW!!!!

Having a life outside your business, helps your business!

Doing new and different things is basically like food for your brain.

If you take time away from your business and learn new things, you’re giving your brain space and inspirations to not only rest + recover, but also inspire insights about your current business.

Think of a hobby you’ve always wanted to try… Now TRY IT!

Love always,  

 

 

 

 

P.S. Want to achieve your shining creative goals in life AND biz? Click HERE!

 

 

The post Video: Outside Hobbies that Help My Biz! appeared first on Leonie Dawson | Shining Life + Biz.