I’m happy that I wrote and posted every single day of October. I was part of a challenge to write every day. My topic was mindfulness.

Now that October’s over, I plan to:

• rest
• write more in-depth essays
• query some magazines and newspapers
• tidy my beautiful, rambling NYC apartment
• connect with and encourage other bloggers and writers
• work my a$$ off at my awesome jobs
• go for my annual physicals
• get a bit more creative with my writing and social media
• write some poetry
• revisit my novel
• make mixed media art
• plan Thanksgiving, Christmas, (and still dreaming of Cuba)
• get to yoga or Pilates class

The month-long writing challenge taught me:

• I have something to say about mindfulness
• Because I committed to this topic, I sought opportunities to reflect on mindfulness
• Sitting still for 10 minutes is really all there is to mindfulness
• I did not have to write perfectly. I could repurpose old photos and a couple of old topics
• I wanted to quit but I didn’t
• I did the best I could
• Consistency is more important than perfection
• I did find a few typos as I looked back, but basically I write well and fast
• I can do my own thing and still take good care of my family
• I don’t want to call myself an expert, but, well, a-hem I know a few things (humble brag)

This fall has been different for my fam — with my son off to college and my husband Chris directing a play in Florida; the girls and I have enjoyed our estrogen-fest at home.

I still do that mom-thing of trying to be there for everyone and everything and then, suddenly, ‘Hey, what about me!!! Whaaa!!’ And I can get sorry for myself.  But despite the inevitable stress and conflict, our home dynamics are pretty calm. It could be because of this writing and mindfulness challenge. Or it could be that we’re all getting older.

Whatever the reason, it’s all good. Happy Halloween!