Springtime Life Update

Well hello, friend! It’s been a little over six months since my last life update, so I thought I would check in, catch you up on some things, share where my head is these days, and chat about my plans for the year. 

Sound good? 

I tend to ramble on in this type of post, so I’m going to try to be a bit more concise; I’m also hoping to do these life update posts with greater frequency so there’s not so much to cover at one time. 

About Inspired by Charm

I thought I would first share a bit about the state of the blog. 

I mentioned this in my last personal post, but the blogging landscape has changed so much in the past five years… at least for me. There’s no need to get into all of the details, but there is a constant pull between business and personal. Since this is my full-time job, the business aspect is important in order to keep a roof over my head and my “kitties” fed; so, that has definitely been a primary focus for the past couple of years. However, I still try to do my best to keep things comfortable, approachable, and personal. I am working on a few ideas to share more of these “everyday-ish, catch-up on what’s happening lately” style posts to amp up the personal side of IBC. 

I’ve also been spending an incredible amount of time updating and fixing old content. The goal is to make the older posts more helpful and informative. I started this blog back in 2009 (hard to believe), so a clean-up is in order. With 1,200+ posts it takes a great deal of time. 

You might have noticed that among my new posts/content, you see/find familiar and favorite posts from the past. If you’ve been following along since 2009, this will be a nice refresh or look back at some of my older content. If you’re new here, then you’ll get to experience all of these posts for the first time. The goal is to make these posts better, more robust, and more easy to find for folks searching on the internet. There’s a method to the madness.

Another item I’m working on is trying to find a better balance between home decor posts and recipes on the blog. Recently, IBC has been predominantly food focused as that’s what seems to drive the traffic (again, that struggle between business and personal). However, I’m itching to tackle some home projects and I’m looking forward to sharing them with you. (More details on those projects below.) 

Overall, I think I’m feeling ready for a switch. Generally speaking I’ve been doing things the same way for years and I think I need to shake things up. (Not only on the blog, but in life too!) There needs to be a stronger focus on what I truly want to be doing rather than just doing things because ‘this is the way I did them’ or because ‘this is way I’m supposed to be doing them.’

It is also worth mentioning that the blog got a facelift last month. It had been eight or so years since I updated the design of the site and it was much needed. While the site looks a bit different, a lot of the changes happened behind the scenes to make the site easier to navigate and to make things easier to find. As a result, things should be a bit quicker too. I hope you’re enjoying the new design and functionality. 

My Art Practice

I’m still painting away, but not as much as I would like. I often feel I’m being pulled in so many directions and therefore fitting everything in has always been a struggle. Additionally, I’m pretty tough on myself when I take a break and literally do nothing. 

I hope there comes a time in my life when art can take up a bigger space. I think I would really enjoy that. I’m just not in that season of life at the moment and instead of getting down on myself about it, I’m trying to be more patient and just enjoy the practice when I can. 

With that being said, I have some ideas as to how to make doing art easier and more accessible. I’d be happy to share these ideas with you when I implement them. 

To keep me motivated and inspired, I am hoping to start some sort of art challenge for myself to keep me accountable. If you want to follow along, come say hello over at @michaelwurmjr on Instagram. 

Will there be an art sale? 

I sure hope so and that is the plan. I have dozens of paintings that need homes. My intent was to build a new website for my art, set up an online shop, etc. All of that takes time and money which has just become a hurdle in the process. It might be better to just do a sale on Instagram and call it a day. 

I do did just start a little website. There’s not much on it, but you’re welcome to check it out here. I even had a fun logo designed. Progress!

My goal is to have it figured out at some point this year. I will be sure to announce it here on the blog, via my mailing list, and on Instagram at @inspiredbycharm and @michaelwurmjr. Just make sure you’re following along on one of those places if you’re interested.

Summer Plans

I have a few goals for the summer. 

I turn 40 this August – GULP!

To be honest, I’m not that concerned, worried, or sad about it. I’m ready. I don’t have big plans, but I’d like to do something special. Two of my favorite artists are performing on my actual birthday: Brandi Carlile (with Pink) right here in Pittsburgh and Adele (she recently announced another residency) in Las Vegas. I don’t have tickets to either, but I’m hoping to make one of the two happen. (I’m learning towards Adele because that also means a trip to Vegas! Ha.) 

I’m going to France!

Last year I booked a trip to the south of France for an art retreat with one of my favorite artists and people: Kim Smith. I’m taking my mom with me and we are going to have the experience of a lifetime! We’re heading over a day early so that we can have 24 hours in Paris and then we will be at the retreat the rest of the time. I CAN’T WAIT! It’s been years since I’ve had a proper vacation. 

I think there might be ONE spot open if anyone is interested in a fabulous art retreat in France!

Showing Up

I also want to be a bit more intentional with how I spend my days during the coming summer. Because this time of year always seems to go by in the blink of an eye, I want to make sure I’m taking advantage of it. That means less time on my phone, less time on the couch, and more time in life! 

In sort of the same vein, I want to be a bit more conscious of my health. For the past couple of years, I’ve let things slide. My weight has hit the highest it’s ever been, exercising is the last thing I want to do, and I feel pretty lazy and unmotivated.

I’ve started to make some changes to curve things in the right direction. I’m eating less by paying attention to when I’m actually hungry rather than eating because I’m bored, or I want to procrastinate, or doing emotional eating, etc. Overall, I’m making healthier choices and just moving my body more. I want to focus on what will make me feel good tomorrow rather than what will make me feel good at the moment. I’m only a couple of weeks into the process, but I’m already feeling better and have lost a few pounds.

Home Projects

While I have no MAJOR projects planned, I have a lengthy list of smaller projects that are on my to-do list this year. It’s time to get them done! Here’s a look at some of my plans:

• Install a shed in the backyard. (Happening this week!)
  • Paint, organize, landscape, and decorate.
• Add panel molding to the dining room. (This is already completed!)
  • Paint and/or wallpaper.
• Add panel molding to the upstairs hallways.
  • Paint and/or wallpaper. 
• Refresh my guest bathroom.
  • Paint, new toilet, new lights, add molding, etc. 
• Add a carpet runner to my basement steps. 
• Finishing details in the basement studio.
  • Finish trim work, add doors to the closet, get organized.
• Decorate my guest bedrooms.
  • Curtains, bedding, light fixtures, wall art, etc. 
• Clean the garage and create some organization. (Tackled a big chunk of this yesterday.)
• Clean up the garden and plant new shrubs and perennials. (In progress. Planted about 2-3 dozen things so far.)

And that’s it. Ha! That’s enough, right? 

Okay, that’s a lot. I fully don’t intend to get to all of it this year … or maybe I will. I suppose it’s good to have a list of goals and a plan of action. 

Rapid Fire

And I think that might be it … or at least all of the major stuff. 

Here are a few quick random thoughts and updates:

• Thanks to Kelly over at StudioDIY, I ordered this Wizard of Oz cross-stitch. I’ve never done cross-stitch before, but I think it would make a great project and become gorgeous wall art. 
• I couldn’t be more excited for the new Little Mermaid and the Barbie movies! Anyone else?
• The cats are doing well. Leo is such a love bug and always wants to be on my lap. Ruby (his Mom) is still hesitant to let me touch her, but she’s getting better. And Jax turns 17 this year! I think his hearing is going, but he’s generally doing pretty well. 
• If you’re in or near Pittsburgh, I have an antique booth at Diamond Antiques in Tarentum. It’s full of antique and home finds that I’ve curated to sell. There are some great treasures there. 
• My favorite go-to snack has been this popcorn and these pickles. Both are incredible for different reasons.

Okay, that’s really it. Consider yourself updated. LOL

Did I miss anything? Have questions, input, ideas, or suggestions? Leave everything in the comment section below and I’ll answer the items as best I can. 

Thank you for being here. Thank you for commenting. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for your continued support. Let’s do this again real soon!