"Let's expect more from February..."

Hi everyone!

I want to announce the winners for last week’s giveaway at the end of this blog post, but for now…just look at what I found on my bush walk this week. Beautiful!

January was a busy month for me — lots of change, big resolutions, a return to healthy eating after the holidays, a re-commitment to moving my body more. I’m trying to learn to switch from chocolate and coffee to a walk or some meditation when I’m stressed.

Honestly, that’s hard for me.

It’s made me wonder — how are your resolutions going for you? Do you set any? Do you have some goals for 2019?

This week, Austin Kleon (an artist I love thanks to my American friend, Victoria from Being Me Movement) quoted a friend who said “We expect too much from January and not enough from February.”

It’s true, isn’t it?

We expect so much from January and so much from ourselves. But we have time: another eleven months to find our way and do the things we want to do in 2019.

Austin also shared his art and the words are beautiful:

Deep breath: we have more time. February is here and we can start again.

How?

Make a simple list. Jot down the things you want to achieve this year. Remind yourself that you have eleven months and today is the best day to start. Remember a gentler truth: you’ll accomplish so much more when you treat yourself with love. (Coffee? Chocolate? Or a bush walk? Try to make a good choice if you can, a choice that supports your own well being.) I heard some advice once and I think it’s true: when you feel awful, treat yourself how you’d treat a tired, overwhelmed toddler….with rest, good food, love.

So today, I’m sending you a fresh start and cheering you on from Down Under, where the bush walks are spectacular, even in the city parks.

Love Catherine x

Winners of last week’s giveaway!

The lucky winners are…

• Leslie B. from Canada, I’m posting you Love Lie Repeat! Congrats!

• And Sharon O. from America, I’m posting you my favourite (emerald) ring. Thanks to everyone who entered. (Rafflecopter chose random winners).

• You can watch me open my box of books here — Penguin sent me my author copies and the books are SO PRETTY. If you want to order, visit your local Aussie bookshop or order here for free delivery overseas. 30 days until release date!

Giveaway! Win LOVE LIE REPEAT & my favourite ring...

Happy Weekend!

If you know me in real life, you know I love giving. I’m the youngest of six kids and was raised in a family that knew how to share. (Was there enough to go around? Did everyone have something?) Giving was natural, like breathing, staging a play in the basement and fighting over board games.

I’ve baked a million cookies, given thousands of meals to friends, wrapped little gifts to encourage people, passed on poems I love. I’ve shared clothes and shoes and recipes, recommended just the right book to my writing students.

And this is weird: in my fantasy of fame and fortune, the best part about being like Oprah would be that moment where I could give the entire studio audience ALL my favourite things.

Enter to Win!

So today: something for you! I’m giving away a copy of LOVE LIE REPEAT and my favourite ring (pictured above).

I get so many compliments when I wear this ring that I went out and bought two — one to give away on my blog and one on Instagram. The pink ring was sold out, so I bought the ‘emerald’ stone to give away here, and the black stone ring on Instagram. Both are so pretty.

How To Enter:

Enter your details below, and forward this email to a friend who you think will enjoy my weekly Happiness Blog. That’s it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest closes Saturday, 2 February. I’ll announce the two winners on my blog next week — one person wins the ring, one my book. Fingers crossed that the technology works for me here. It’s my first giveaway using Rafflecopter (but it won’t be my last!).

And here’s some wisdom about these rings: I used to think I needed to wait until I could have a real emerald to enjoy one, but now I seize the day. You can have so much fun with a $12 ring, my friends.

Have some fun today!

Love Catherine x

PS.

• More awesome happiness posts: how to fix anything in 10 minutes, and is it time to rest?

• Thank you for pre-ordering LOVE LIE REPEAT! Early sales determine a book’s popularity. Order here with free postage worldwide (in Australia, try your local bookshop first!)