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thehappysideof40

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I read more last year than I thought I could. 15 books to be precise, which is probably 14 more than I normally manage! I only know this because, for the first time, I wrote them down. I kept a simple list and it really helped me, both to remember what books I *wanted* to read, and then keep track of what I finished. So this is a nice easy spread I created for my bullet journal. Or if drawing it out isn’t your thing, a printable will be available in my online shop (hopefully coming soon!). How many books are you hoping to read this year?

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I came across this the other week and it reminded me of the importance of recognising what you’ve already achieved instead of critiquing what you haven’t. I didn’t always feel that way, I used to buy into the ‘New Year, New You’ until experience taught me differently. But that’s the joy of being in my 40s I guess 😄.

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Yay I’ve finally settled on my 20 goals for 2020! It’s been a bit of a process this time. I knocked out 20 pretty quickly at the start of the month, but they just didn’t spark that excitement I was hoping for.
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Then like so many things when you set it aside for a while, I realised the issue. More than half of my 20 goals were home improvements. Now I enjoy interiors and diy as much as the next person, but house stuff is not *my* stuff. So I’ve taken everything house related off the list (and on to a dedicated home one!) and come up with 20 fun, exciting, sometimes scary projects to aim for, just for me, in 2020.
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I don’t expect to tick them all off, but I’m going to have fun trying 😄
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#20for2020 up on the blog if, like me, you love have a nosy at everyone else’s list for inspiration!

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I just love the mindfulness of hand lettering these quotes for my bullet journal. I find it really helpful to create one for the start of each month, as a way of setting my intention for the weeks ahead. This one is for my word of the year (Trust, in case you’re wondering). I’m working on sketches this week for my February planner layouts so I’m in quote gathering mode. What’s your favourite quote?
Let me know 👇. I’ll pick my favourite and send you a printable copy of my finished hand lettering for you to print out and stick in your own planner!
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Thank you everyone for your quotes, it’s been fun to see what inspires you and there’s some crackers in there. The winner is announced in the comments below and the printable version will be available in my online shop, coming soon!

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Just dropping this in to say Happy New Year to you all🎉🎉. May the next decade be all that you wish it to be 💕

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It’s fair to say I’m a fan of a bit of self-reflection. I was asked this question 👆in a recent group mentoring session. And near the top of my list has got to be joining @josephinepbrooks’ Nurture & Thrive community. Not only does Josephine host so many fantastic inspiration sessions with business owners. Not only do we have monthly group mentoring sessions to chat through any challenges we’re facing. Not only is it a hugely supportive group of women who ‘get it’. As well as all those things, the win for me is taking myself and my business idea seriously. And learning not to stutter when I hear myself saying “Hi my name is Karen and I am an illustrator who helps busy people create a beautiful, practical and customised planner that helps them get things done and reconnect with what they truly love.”
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Josephine is opening the doors to Nurture & Thrive again in January if you’re interested; I highly recommend it. If you’re interested in bullet journaling in 2020 but don’t feel you have the time or the creative confidence, more info coming soon on how I might be able to help.
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But first, what were your big wins this year?

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This lettering originally started as ‘ho, ho, over it’. But after an afternoon on the sofa watching Elf yesterday, I’m past my festive grump. Sod the food, the decorations and the presents - Christmas for me is about being cosy, chilled and watching kids movies together. Any other movie recommendations for what gets you in a festive mood?

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If one more person asks me if I’m “all sorted” for Christmas, I can’t be held accountable for my response 😡. Since when has it been obligatory to have all presents purchased, wrapped and safely tucked away by the second week in December? I do like Christmas but the constant drive to get organised earlier and earlier just leaves me with a perpetual sense of anxiety that I’ve left it all too late. Is it just me?

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My Week in Words // What a mixed bag of a week. Starting off with grand plans, quickly shelved when the next three days were spent at home with a poorly child. On the plus side that meant lots of cuddles and Christmas movies. But there’s always that little part of me which wishes I could get back to those things on my list. Followed by inevitable Mum guilt for even thinking about it 🤦‍♀️. What words sum up your week?
#myweekinwords

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Are you a list-maker? I’m not sure why I’ve always felt better with one. I’ve tried very hard to be more of a go-with-the-flow kinda person; but it always ends up with several balls dropped and a total sense of overwhelm. I wonder if it’s just the way some of us are wired 🤷‍♀️. And if it is,does it matter? Can we be list-makers and not lose our ability to be spontaneous?

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