It's sort of a teaser trailer, but also about "Superwoman Syndrome"

  Hello, and welcome back to my blog!

There are so many good life things I want to talk about, but it's just not quite time yet. I have a very special project in the mix, and I will tell you all about it as soon as things are a little farther along. I'll give you a hint. It has to do with two of my favorite things: maps and cats! Does anyone else feel the urge to break out into Julie Andrews My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music? Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens.... On a musical note, I have a few fun YouTube videos I am putting together - so stay tuned for my musical debut. Hopefully I won't break your eardrums ;)

I had heaps of plans of what I was going to post in this blog, but so much is still in such early stages that I want to wait a bit. However, I did want to write something. I guess this post is just a big tease!

I did want to say how grateful I am to the people in my life who are supportive of all my endeavors. Encouraging me to go after work that is meaningful to me, and helping me make my dreams a reality. Especially Nick, Nancy, Barbara, Beth, Sarah, and Julie. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. I couldn't do this without you all. Your presence in my life, and all my friends and family, is the only way I could make all of this happen. I am not doing it alone anymore, and things are finally clicking into place. I am not good at asking for help, but I have been and it's awkward for me. I'm still not 100% used to it yet, but I am getting there. Thank you, thank you, for being such a wonderful support system. My hope is that whomever is reading this also has a support system they can count on. Don't be afraid to ask for help. So often women in my generation are plagued with the "superwoman" syndrome - do all the things, and then double that, do it all by yourself, and so you are successful. When this happens, it leads to burnout. It's neither sustainable nor healthy. Doing a lot at once is totally fine, as long as you can balance it with things like sleep, nutrition, and communication. I love having a few different projects going at once. My artistic side is quenched and my analytical side is quenched. As a retired dance teacher and someone who holds a couple of graduate degrees, it is really important that I find a way to balance my right and left brain. 

On that note, I am going to stop working for the day, post this blog, make something to eat for dinner, and put on another episode of one of the 3 or 4 shows I am currently watching. 

Thank you so much for being part of my journey! Leave me a comment below - I would love to hear from you!

If you appreciate having this consistent content, would you consider supporting my work? You can "Buy Me A Coffee" and I will be SO grateful. If you leave your name, I can give you a shout out in the next blog post! 

Mindfully,
~Amanda

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Amanda Vander Kelen, MA is a geographer/GIS Specialist and now blogger. She creates a work/life balance by using her creativity in both making maps and writing blogs. Taking a mindful approach to life, she hopes you can utilize her writing to help create a peaceful space of your own.
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