Inspirational People Archives - Satori Design for Living

Blogging Milestone and What I’ve Learned Along the Way {Part Two}

Jan

2013

Thank you so much for your kind comments this week! After reaching 200 posts, I feel like I have learned a few important blogging lessons. Let’s just say there have been some mistakes along the way, but I’ve learned to pick myself up, brush myself off, and keep going.

I’ve come to realize that blogging is no different than life with its ups and downs, and the important thing is to always remind myself why I started the blog in the first place. It wasn’t to be like everyone else or to see how popular it could get. Instead, it was to tell my individual story, and perhaps inspire and resonate with a few people along the way. If that’s what I set out to do, then I’d say I’ve exceeded my expectations.

Tips for New Bloggers- Satori Design for Living

Before I get to the list of blogging tips I promised for those of you who are starting out or are considering it down the road, I want to touch on a few stand-out moments from the last 17 months or so of blogging. Earlier this week, I shared a few of my favorite posts and gave thanks to many of the people who inspired me along the way. I want to share a few more, but have to mention that these are only the tip of the iceberg, and there are so many other people who were an important part of my journey.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: Blogging Tips, Celebration, Inspirational People

Blogging Milestone and What I’ve Learned Along the Way {Part One}

Jan

2013

24 Comments

Today marks Satori’s 200th blog post and I thought it would be fun to take a little look back. When I started the blog in September of 2011, I really didn’t know what to expect. I definitely couldn’t have predicted how much joy it would bring to my life, and quite often have to pinch myself that I have hundreds of daily readers- say what?

I know there are blogs out there that easily reach visitor numbers in the thousands every day and mine pales in comparison. I hope to get there eventually, however, I can honestly say for me what’s important is the interaction I have with so many of you on a daily basis. I am truly thankful for the comments, questions, collaborations, and opportunities that have all come about because of the blog.

So after 199 posts, what stands out to me? Or most importantly, what have I learned?

When a blog starts out the readership is usually pretty low. In the movie Julie & Julia, Julie is thrilled to see that she has a comment on her recently started blog, only to realize her mom is the one who wrote it. I think anyone who has started a blog can totally relate.

Julie and Julia Movie {via}

I happen to remember my very first comment written by Arianna, a popular blogger I had been following for quite a while. After sharing why I choose the name Satori, as well as the journey I took to start a blog, Arianna was very encouraging, and probably doesn’t realize the wind it put under my sails at that time. To this day I have never forgotten about her thoughtfulness, and try to visit and leave comments on new-ish blogs regularly. It’s a pay-it-forward attitude that I believe is important in life.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: Blogging Tips, Celebration, Inspirational People

What’s Up in the Blogosphere?

Oct

2012

8 Comments

As you would probably guess, one of my favorite things to do is read blogs. It’s really what inspired me to create my own. You may remember one the first posts I wrote just over a year ago, where I explain my thought process for starting a blog. Looking back, I wonder why I didn’t do it sooner.

As mentioned in that post, one of the blogs I was really drawn to (and continue to be to this day) was Nesting Place. Nester has a way of digging a little deeper to find meaning within our homes, rather than just focusing on the physical aspects. For the month of October, she is hosting her 31 Days Series, which has grown to be very popular (you’ll know why if you follow along).

Perhaps next year I will join along and commit to 31 days of blogging about a topic, but for now, I’ll become inspired by some of the other participants. I will say, though, I’ve pledged to myself to focus on “31 Days of Finishing Up Half-done Projects.” Anyone on board?

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: Inspirational People, Living Savvy, Nesting Place

Feature: So Canadian, Eh?

Aug

2012

1 Comment

Happy Friday everyone! Today we’re on our way to a friend’s wedding and I have to say that I’m glad to have a break from staining my front porch. While we embark on the 7 hour drive (which I’m not so looking forward to), I invite you to check out my interview with Barbara over at Hodge Podge for her So Canadian, Eh? series.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Life, News & Updates Tagged With: Guest Post, Inspirational People

Pinterest Boards I’m Hooked On

Aug

2012

6 Comments

It’s no secret that I’m addicted to Pinterest. If you haven’t joined the craze, I’m surprised. I feel it’s one of the best sources of inspiration and there’s really no better way to store and categorize pictures along with their links.

Although I follow a variety of boards on Pinterest, there are a few that seem to always catch my eye. First up, it’s probably no surprise that I’m drawn to a board called Beach House by Wendy Hicken. Not only do I love the softness of colors, but the light and airy rooms scream summer, meaning rest and relaxation. It’s probably my favorite time of the year, and having a cottage is definitely a dream of mine.

What Can’t You Live Without?

Jul

2012

4 Comments

How is your summer going? We just got back from spending a few gorgeous days at the lake with our friends. Even though we’re all exhausted from the sunshine, boating and late nights, it’s always fun to get away and experience a change of scenery and enjoy a break from the everyday. Laughter is such good medicine!

One thing I was finally able to do over the extended weekend is read through a few of the magazines I’ve had sitting on my nightstand for a while now. I usually keep up with reading magazines as they arrive, but as I’ve added more blogs to my regular reading list, as well as few great online magazines, I’ve gotten away from reading very many in print.

One magazine I do subscribe to is Chatelaine. I like the variety of topics it covers, such as health, beauty, fashion, decor, gardening and more. Because it’s Canadian, I can usually find what they’re talking about, whether it’s a grocery item or a particular pair of shoes.

A favorite series of mine is It’s In the Air (What We’re Excited About This Month), where women are celebrated for their style and substance. I love reading about each woman’s journey to success and how great living out your dream really is- so inspirational! At the end, each woman is asked to list “5 Things (She) Can’t Live Without,” which is fun to think about.

So…If you were asked that question (I guess on a superficial level), what would your answer be? I thought about it and this would most likely be my answer…

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Fab Finds, Life Tagged With: Chatelaine Magazine, Inspirational People, Products I Love

What Are You Reading This Summer?

Jul

2012

3 Comments

Did you read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert? Sometimes I’m a little late jumping on a book train, and in this case, a lot late. Yesterday I finished the book and I have to say that, although she lost me at times (perhaps even bored me), there were some parts I found compelling and others that really resonated with me.

Isn’t that what life is all about? If everything was exciting and earth shattering all the time, wouldn’t it become too familiar and perhaps seem a little monotonous over time? Like the book, I think an enriched life is all about getting through the flat moments and enjoying the peaks. There is so much to learn on both sides of the coin.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration, Life Tagged With: Books, Inspirational People

A “Certain” Quote

May

2012

8 Comments

Earlier this week, I was listening to a radio show while I worked in my office. This particular show was one of my favorite business women speaking with a spiritual author I have recently become familiar with, Gabby Bernstein. After listening to what she had to say, one of the quotes really stuck with me.

“Those with the certainty of an outcome are willing to wait, and wait without anxiety.”

Gabby spoke about knowing she would become a published author. It was something she believed down to her core, even when others were doubtful and often pessimistic. She was clear, kept her courage and knew it would come to fruition.

Have you ever had that feeling? Have you had the knowing that something would happen for certain, even if it took longer than you hoped for?

I’m sure if you took a moment to reflect, there would be a long list of these occurrences. Perhaps it was becoming a mother for the first time or finishing your master’s degree. Or, maybe it was putting your feet in the ocean for the first time. Whatever these moments are, did you know that someday they would happen for certain?

For the longest time, my husband and I have dreamed of having a cottage by the lake or a cabin in the mountains. We speak as though it will happen for certain, with no thoughts of anything getting in the way. We can picture spending time there in the summer with friends and family and eventually our grand children (yes, we are thinking that far ahead). I think that’s why Gabby’s quote stuck with me so much. It’s thinking about an outcome I want to happen, but not trying to force it. I believe that eventually everything will come together to make it happen. We’ll meet someone, or get a nudge to take some sort of action…you know how it goes.

In the spirit of our future cottage, I’ve created a file folder of magazine tear outs, as well as a Pinterest board called Ideas for the Cottage. Here are some of the items I’ve pinned so far.