Try Something NEW

If you're in the mood to feel inspired or make yourself feel great, consider trying something new. Stick a pin in a map or search for local events to get out of the house and do something different for a fwe hours.

Today is Patriot's Day and in Massachusetts that means we get the day off. I had planned to sit around doing nothing for the day then when a friend called and asked me to go to an art exhibit with her. So I took a few hours and tried something new. I headed to a small exhibit about art and words.

Below is the description and link to the exhibit website.

"Art Inspired by the Written Word
Goddard House invites you to explore the relationship between the written word and art in its seventh annual spring art show, which runs from April 5 through April 30. The works of over three dozen established and emerging local artists interpret the theme in a variety of media, including painting, photography, engraving, monoprinting, mixed media, textile, collage, and stone."

http://www.goddardhomestead.org/pages/art.html

To Celebrate or Not to Celebrate

When your 30th birthday is approaching you might be thinking about hiding under the covers, wearing black or just ignoring the day altogether. There is no reason to dread turning 30.

Trying to decide whether you should celebrate or not?

Consider your answers to the following questions to help you make a decision.

1. What was the last birthday you enjoyed celebrating?
2. What made that day fun?
3. If you had a day off and could do anything, what would you do?
4. Who do you love to spend time with?
5. Why are you avoiding celebrating?

Hopefully you find that birthdays once were fun but the pressure of getting older has made you dread decade birthdays. Instead of dreading a number on your drivers license, consider putting aside the reasons you listed for number 5 and going back to 3 &4. Still at a loss for how to spend your birthday?

Take the day off, do that thing you want to do in number 3 with the people you love in number 4.

If you want to HAVE FUN, LOVE LIFE and start your 30s with a BANG, celebrate the day as YOUR DAY!

Photos (as promised)

Here they are, the two photos that I mentioned yesterday. Looking at these, I might miss the less rounded face and the blond locks but there is so much more to look forward to now. Keep looking and you'll find the last picture is recent. Colette at 32.

Consider taking a stroll down your own memory lane. Look at the images from the perspective of who you were at the time (instead of picking at your flaws or wishing for those college age thighs).

Are you loving who you are now?

If not, get started making the woman you are match the woman you want to be.

Looking Back

Sometimes we have to look back in order to appreciate who we've become.

Last week I had some friends over for dinner who had never been to my apartment before. The most common comment by visitors to my place is how comfortable everything is. I have the sink in and take a nap sofa as well as the spoiled princess king size bed. And my place is decorated with simple images of nature and places that I love.

Over the years I've purchased simple pieces that feel cozy and comfy because I'm a big fan of lazing around with a book and mug of tea on a Sunday morning (or afternoon, and evening).

The other thing my friends commented on is a few personal photos in my office. These are older photos of me from 10 -15 years ago. I use these photos for 2 reasons:

motivation and inspiration

I got several comments on how cheery and young and thin I looked. The young part is obvious (I was younger) and the thin part is obvious too. After my friends left I went back into the office and took another look at those photos.

What struck me is that sometimes we just have to look back to appreciate where we are now. I love my life but looking at the image of myself before I began college and one from soon after I started my first "Career" type job I was amazed at how far I've come. I've accomplished a lot in my 32 years and even more is on the way. I was reminded why our 30s are such an amazing time.

Tomorrow I'm going to post those photos as a reminder that looking back for just a minute can be a great pick me up. Where I was might have been good, but today is even better.

And tomorrow will be amazing!

Book Release

BOOK RELEASE:

After 3 years of work, the book is finally ready.

Head to www.Amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com to order your copy of 30 Isn't Old on sale now.

"A woman's 30th birthday doesn't have to be a traumatic event. Instead of suffering through this special day, women can define their own success.

Read 30 Isn't Old for a positive and realistic look at what it means to be a woman turning 30."

Dating After 30

Aside from Sex in the City the view of dating in our 30s tends to be blah in pop culture. The theory is that women are no longer young and fabulous so we can't get the hottest guys any longer. Once we hit 30 we start having to settle for men with baggage, divorced, balding, career obsessed or any number of other undesirable qualities.

The TRUTH is that DATING is BETTER after 30.

Here are just a few things to look forward to dating after 30.

• Better meals - men have the income to take you to a better class of restaurant without going broke
• Better dates - dates no longer have to be a dinner and movie or a cuddle in the back seat of his car. Older daters have better taste so you can head to the symphony, an art show or any other cultural event geared toward adults.
• You know what you want
• No more double dates with friends (unless you want to)
• Your mother stops fixing you up
• You have more to talk about with the guys you meet
• Your life is more interesting
• Less game playing
• No need to lie to yourself about a one night stand
• No one's checking when you cam home last night

You get to CHOOSE how to enjoy your dating life