Mine is a pretty ordinary life from the outside looking in. I spend a lot of time in my little cottage on the hill. I write, create, and take care of general household chores. You know, laundry, cleaning, cooking, dog care, and lots of yard work. We have a big yard.

I garden and make family dinner every Sunday. I go out hiking or rowing in my kayak a few times a week.

My writing and design business doesn’t include international travel. It doesn’t involve teaching at pricey retreats, or writing for expensive magazines. I teach some locally and I’ve been on local and national television but it’s not a regular gig. I write for several websites other than this one and I enjoy it.

I shoot my own YouTube videos, write my own content and do my own social media. My profile pictures are either taken by me or my husband. I create all that you see here and on the other sites I write for.

I have a decent sized studio and some storage in the basement. Someday I’d really like to be able to work and look out a window above ground. For right now I’m really happy with my funky basement studio.

I’m not a household name and I don’t have a huge line of products in a store somewhere. And I’m OK with that.

It’s all pretty ordinary looking from the outside looking in, and sometimes I get tired of being ordinary.

I feel like a very small fish in a pond of mega bloggers, fabulous designers, and uber talented writers – pros who never screw up, have assistants, beautiful homes, fabulous lives, and do everything right.

Sometimes, I have to remind myself that it’s okay to be ordinary. That I’m here, doing my own work, and that it is worthwhile and important in it’s own way.  I remind myself of all of the responsibility that comes with becoming a household name when I get a case of the “wants”. I was never in it to get my name on eleventy hundred products. And I have never been all about earning tons of money or thousands of ‘followers’.

It’s always been about helping people. Showing women that even if they think they are not creative they truly are. I’m all about starting where you are and learning what you can. No art degree? Who cares! You can do it! I make enough money to pay my bills and a few little extras here and there. I put money away every month for Christmas so that I can buy presents without going in the hole and I buy my crafty supplies.

I have ordinary dreams. Dreams of healthy happy children and grandchildren. Enough for us and some to give away to those who need it. Funny, healthy, happy dogs, plenty of coffee, and tasty food. Someday I would like an old pick up truck just for fun and hauling gardening stuff.

I sleep good – mostly. My world is low on the negative and high on the positive. Love. Sunsets. Walking in the woods. And a few fun electronics to fiddle with.

Maybe some day I’ll reach for extraordinary. But I know that it comes with a high cost. Paying employees and feeling responsible for them in some ways (been there, done that), keeping up with expectations and higher expenses. Crazy, manic schedules that leave very little room for sleep or soul searching. Maybe I will decide I want to travel more, or buy an expensive car (I’ve not had a new car since sometime in the early ’80’s) Maybe some day I’ll have a nice, big, bright studio and I’ll have my name on lots of books or products.

But right now, I’m liking ordinary. I’m still recovering from breast cancer treatment, the empty nest blues. I’m doing deep, important soul work right now. I journal, daydream and ponder. I’ve become an Earth Energy Master and am just shy of becoming a Reiki Master. I want to be able to volunteer at the local cancer support place that helped me through. I want to use my good energy to help others.

I’m expanding my circle of friends, thinking of volunteering a little and reaching out to nurture my sisters. Other women. Other women fascinate me. The stories, the hard work, the love and broken hearts. So strong. So wonderful. So amazing.

Being ordinary is enough for me. I write here and I like to interact with people who comment, email or seek me out on social media. I like to feel connected to other creative people. I’m not a brand. I’m a person.

I am not a big deal. I am ordinary.

I have only the responsibilities I can handle right now. I have the income I need. I have a fairly low stress life. I don’t get hate mail or called out on social media when I burn the toast. The dogs don’t care if I wear makeup and swanky clothes. I make things that people like and then I share how to make them so they can try it too.

My husband is a really good guy and the most amazing life partner. He is beyond words wonderful to me. My home is a refuge for my family and friends from the hardness of the world. It’s not fancy but it’s full of love and they feel safe here.

Yup, it’s an ordinary life, from the outside looking in. And that is enough for me.