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Life

October Ruminations

October 31, 2016 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 8 comments
October Ruminations

Let's reflect on the month of October! // dreams-etc.com

In October I decided I needed to slow down and stop pushing myself so much. So I did… sort of. In terms of the blog and all other writing that I was (sort of) working on, I totally did. But, it turned out to be a busy month, especially at the end. I took advantage of soaking up every little bit of inspiration that I could from different opportunities that came my way this month. For a quick recap of the month I:

>> Attended NerdCon: Stories in Minneapolis, where I got to listen to some great talks and meet Patrick Rothfuss and Daniel José Older (!!!).

>> Took my nephew to see Stomp.

>> Visited Ottawa for a long weekend. I traveled on my own, which is something that I have wanted to do for awhile, and I got to see some really cool sights, as well as attend (a last minute plan) a panel at a writer’s festival featuring Kelley Armstrong.

>> Attended a book signing with Jay Asher.

>> Celebrated Little One’s birthday.

>> Attended a much-needed writing class on Silencing Your Inner Critic.

>> Tromped through a muddy corn maze with a group of family and friends.

It turned out to be a busy month, but it was a good month and I think it was exactly what I needed. It was filled with some new experiences, as well as lots of book/writing-related events. I was kind of amused, as the month went on, that a few weeks after I went through a creative funk and was ready to give up on my writing dreams (only for a split second, the thought really didn’t sit well with me) I suddenly had all these opportunities to attend bookish events and I often heard things that I really needed to hear at this point in time.

So, after neglecting my computer this month (and my laundry, I currently have a mountain to fold and put away) it’s time to get back to work… but hopefully with more balance. I’m actually excited to write again, which feels so great! I have a book idea in mind that I’m looking forward to working on and I even have some ideas for new poetry. And, I have a lot of great topics that I’d like to write about on the blog.

Speaking of the blog, I think I’m going to try a slightly different schedule that will help reduce my stress-level a bit. Instead of posting Monday, Wednesday and Friday I’m planning to post on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. And, of course, for the sake of balance, if life is busy or I have a sudden burst of novel-writing inspiration that doesn’t leave much time for other writing, I won’t try to force blog posts. I’ll take breaks when needed, because, it turns out, breaks are good!

[Tweet “How was your October? #monthlyrecaps #monthend #october”]

PS – I started using Snapchat a lot more this month, so if you’d like to follow along on any adventures I go on, be sure to look me up! I’m dreamsetcblog.

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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8 comments

  1. Charlotte says:
    October 31, 2016 at 10:11 am

    I’m so glad that you are taking more breaks and taking care of yourself more often. Also! This seminar that you attended on silencing your inner critic sounds amazing–we could all do with that every now and then, right?

    Solo travel is the best, isn’t it? So nice to know that you can do ANYTHING you want, whenever you want. I also hope you enjoyed Stomp! I saw it so many moons ago and thought it was a fantastic show šŸ™‚

    XOXO

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      November 8, 2016 at 9:16 am

      Thank you! And yes, definitely! It was so, so helpful! It turned out to be different than what I expected, but it was perfect and I think I’m more prepared to turn off the inner critic when it gets too loud.

      It really is! It was so much fun to come up with my own schedule and to be able to change things and add things to my itinerary without feeling like I was messing with someone else’s vacation too. I loved the Stomp show! It was amazing! I’m glad you enjoyed it too.

      Reply
  2. Mistle says:
    October 31, 2016 at 10:49 am

    You had a very busy October! That’s awesome that you were re-inspired to start writing again after attending some events. I got into a blogging funk recently. Hoping to get out of it. Hope your stress level is reduced in November!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      November 8, 2016 at 9:14 am

      It’s hard sometimes when inspiration and motivation starts to go away. Luckily I’ve found that those funks come and go. Hope you get out of your blogging funk soon!

      Reply
  3. Shane says:
    October 31, 2016 at 5:34 pm

    Wow such a fun filled October you had, so many fun events! I’m also looking to switch around my blog schedule as I start a full time job. Best of luck!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      November 8, 2016 at 9:13 am

      Yes! October was busy, but so much fun. Good luck as you figure out how to change your blog schedule! When I got the job I currently have I had to adjust my blog schedule and I think I’m still figuring things out. šŸ™‚

      Reply
  4. Rebecca Hicks says:
    November 1, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    I love that you took this month to rest and enjoy life! It is so important to find that balance and keep your priorities in line. I hope you have a wonderful November!

    Reply
    1. Crystal // Dreams, etc. says:
      November 8, 2016 at 9:08 am

      Thank you! It was so helpful and I’m already noticing that I have renewed inspiration and motivation. I hope you have a wonderful November too!

      Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. šŸ’™
Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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