Wednesday 28 December 2016

New Years Resolutions - we think not


We have all been there.  The start of a new year - to be healthier, travel more, get a better job, be a better partner, parent, friend or complete that project under the bed.  You know which one I mean - the quilt, applique or the great gothic novel.

Well, the Coffee Cluster had a group consensus of no resolutions this year (this alone was big!).  None, nada, not for me or you or you. We are all tied of failure and beating ourselves up over unreal expectations.  This year we are just putting it out there to try and do better in all aspects of our lives.  To be kinder, work harder and most important be more gentle and forgiving with ourselves.  To realize we are not perfect and that is okay as long as we are trying and being our best selves and knowing we will not be at our best all the time and no beating ourselves up over that.

So that is how we are starting the year - how about you?

Tuesday 13 December 2016

Taking blogging to the next step !

The Coffee Cluster is just starting to dip our toes into the blogging community, but so far we are finding it very supportive.  We participated in our first blog party and it was great.  Check out http://www.scaleitsimple.com. There were lots of neat blogs and bloggers who were so supportive, creative and encouraging.  Plenty of liking, commenting and sharing at the party and of course coffee.  


There was no competitiveness there – which we found a bit surprising.  Really, people only have so much time and energy so where do they want to spend it?  If they choose that blog, they are not spending time on my blog. So why would anyone encourage their competition?  Oh right, we are bloggers, this is a community not a sport field! 

There has been a shift in mentality to when I do well we all do well and that there is enough success out there for everyone and their blog (or whatever floats your boat).  Can you imagine if the rest of the world were like bloggers?  Sharing information freely, encouraging each other, being each other cheerleaders!  No competitiveness as no need – we are a community and what is good for one is good for all.  WOW what a world that would be.  Let's take what we have as bloggers and start putting it out there to the greater community.  We (bloggers) rock.  Thank you and we are looking forward to doing our part in this fab group of individuals!  

Monday 5 December 2016

Simplify Christmas



The Coffee Cluster discussed how overwhelmed people get at this time of year.  The discussion was all over the table with “its a yearly event so it shouldn’t come as a big surprise” to “this can be such a sad time of year for people”.  Well, there was no disputing either statement.   Yes, the holidays arrive every December but people are also living lives the other 11 months a year.  Not everyone one (hint at the table) is a planner.  Others rush and are stressed this time of year and there are even a few people that get off being overbooked and having too much on their plate.  Yes, there are those people.

How can we get to a happy medium and enjoy the season?  What can we do to take some stress off?  A few ideas batted around the table were lower expectations, set a limit on gift giving and start earlier.  It is all easier said than done for some people.  The planner said create lists early – most of us know who we purchase gifts for so look all year around for that unique item.  Another idea was have a discussion about purchasing family gifts or donate in someone’s name to a charity. 

What about cutting back on decorating?  There were moans around the table, as there is an expectation of pulling it all together for people.  In that case get “these people” to help decorate if they want the place to look like Christmas.  Yes, we can be brutal at the table.  What about a tree decorating party – we did have that one year and it went over well.  Make it a potluck of course!  Delegate was tossed around to frowns and smiles.

Recap of what we went away with was to have a tree decorating party one evening next week for someone overwhelmed.  Another person is going to bake a large batch of short breads and divide up.  We are all going to go through our decorations when we pull them out this year and toss anything we feel is no longer us and simplify.  A few of us are going to go shopping one evening right after work next week. 


So is there anything you can give up?  Delegate?  Get rid of?  Simplify this holiday season?  Do it.