Hi everyone!

This year, and the summer most specifically, has been a roller-coaster ride. Life happening a little too much, and always with the worst timing.

When I'm being optimistic, I try to look at the bigger picture and think maybe later we'll look back and think this was just how it was supposed to be.

Then again, sometimes it feels like we're in a downward spiral and I can see no escape. The emotional yo-yo is not helping, especially as we're trying to make our lives more stable.

Thankfully, I started a gratitude journal a few weeks ago, and I can look at positive stuff that did happen lately when my mind focuses on darker aspects. Also, it kinda forces me to look for the upside of the situation. Most days, it works. 

How about you? How do you try or manage to stay positive when things get tough?Let me know in the comments.

Color code:

0-10% in red
11-24% in pink
25-39% in orange
40-59% in yellow
60-99% in green
100% in flashy green
Normally, there's also blue for progress and pause in purple, but right now i'll focus on numbers and only goals where progress has been made.

Now for this week: 

WRITING: I'll focus on one project mainly while following completed ones.

"Hour of the Wolf": If the publisher does not decide to release it as part of the collection, I'll probably make it a freebie (ebook and Wattpad). I'm guessing they'll make a decision soon as their collection is to be released in November, so I'll adjust this goal accordingly once I hear from them. 

Sci-fi erotica series Miss Chief in Wonderland: I started writing again and would like to have a few short stories ready for publication in 2021 or 2022. Life happening too much to write right now so I pushed the deadline to mid-August.

• Plan season 1
• Draft episode 1 (July): 85%
• Expand episode 5
• Draft episode 7 (September)
• Draft episode 8 (August)
• Draft episode 9
• Reorganize episodes

WORK: Lots to do here! I'll try and get as much done as possible, though I expect life to keep getting in the way as it has lately. 

Promotion: Over the summer, Hubby and I will build a communication strategy to get more business our way in September (since the summer is always slow). 12%

Online courses: I'll focus on making online tests as I can use it immediately with current student, then I'll go back to making the lessons. Hubby and I will also take a look at a new theme for my business website and also upgrade the webhost (which means my writer's site will be hosted there too). I made 1 test today and started a second one as I realized I had skipped it altogether.

• Website stuff : upgrade host, new theme, LMS stuff... 
• English - Starters: make tests 35%
• English - Elementary: make tests 28%
• English - Pre-intermediate: make tests 28%
• Hanashimashou: resume making contents ASAP

Quality certification: I can take it easy now but I'll keep doing bite-size tasks weekly.

• cross-referencing document: I'll finish it during the Round. 29%
• tutorials: I'll keep making them, aiming at 2-4 a month, depending on how much material and preparation is needed. 20%

Story Time: I'll keep making baby steps weekly, mostly preparatory work. Steady progress.

• Wizard & Cat: signpost at least 1 episode a week. 33%
• Timmy & the Hungry Monster: make a general plan, list the language, list the material. Making flashcards: 15% 

PUBLISHING: I'll mostly market my books, old and new.

Curiouser & Curiouser (my debut novel, in French only for now): I'll keep track of reviews and sales, while marketing the book some more. 

Red Hot Spring (English): I'll make the final preparations to publish in August and market. 86%

We Missed Each Other (English): I'll start making preparations once Red Hot Spring is ready. 34%

PERSONAL: We'll do some damage control and try and get help while Hubby is stuck with pain in his back. 

House renovation: that's the big question mark as most of the things that need to be done require Hubby or help. In the meantime, we'll focus on what contractors are supposed to do.

• parental suite: still aiming at finishing it this year if we can. For this Round, sealing the tiles in the bathroom would be nice. And why not buy the wooden floor for the bedroom and threshold? 47% 
• insulation: we need to get the contractor sent by the insurance company to come and the other ones to give us their estimates. 
• original bathroom: 40% 

Housework: I'll mostly try and keep up what's been settled last Round. Maybe add a couple of new rooms (namely the porch entrance & workshop)  if I can get help from family and friends to get rid of the spiders in there (I'm extremely phobic when it comes to those...). I'll also try and get my office in order before September is here. Overall: 76%

• office: finish reorganizing, archiving and so on. 50%
• porch entrance: get rid of spiders and webs, spray with repulsive product, deep clean, add to cleaning routine, set coat pegs. Compelted at last! 100%
• workshop: get rid of spiders and webs, spray with repulsive product, deep clean, reorganize. 80%

Self-improvement: I'll keep learning as a teacher, writer and parent.

• Teaching early years MOOC: I'll be an active participant through the 6 weeks and implement new ideas at home and in my classes. 100% 
• Storytelling & Marketing: 12%

Physical health: I'll try and be more and more active while making sure to give myself enough time to relax too and avoid burning out as a side effect of Hubby's slipped disk.

• Housework: I'll focus my energy on this to stay active on a daily basis. Since the plan includes rooms we are currently not using and that are either being or about to be renovated, my goal is to reach 90%. Goal has been reached, yay!, 90%
• Stretching: I'll stretch every morning to prevent hurting myself while being active (I have a tendency to sprain) 
• Yoga: I'll try and have a yoga session with my girls at least once a week. For starters, I'll look for the best time slot for this. 
• Abs/Fitness: if there's time and energy (ie if Hubby gets better and life stops happening so much), I'll get down to working on fixing my diastasis recti for good, then going back to fitness.

Mental health & journalling: I've started a digital journal and will keep using it daily to keep track of my moods, ideas, learning, etc. Later, I'll schedule a lookback time to make sure this is useful. I'll also keep reading about emotional intensity but more on that below. 

Reading: I'll try to read daily. 
- paperback: 5%
- ebook: 9%

Emotional intensity: I'll try and complete this reading and discuss it with Hubby. 69%

Beta-reading a Sci-Fi novel: I'll make notes and send feedback to the writer by mid-August. 100%

Writer's website: I'll start the new website for sure, and hopefully get my hands on the original one to export it rather than rebuild from scratch. Hubby will help since sitting in the office armchair is the one thing he manages to do without feeling too horrible.