Guest Blogging Awesomeness: Brainleaf

I am thrilled to be a guest contributor on the BrainLeaf blog. My post “10 Conventional (And Not-So-Conventional) Ways to Find Freelance Work” was recently published. Here is an excerpt from my post:

"The technological revolution took over the world of freelancing during my time away, and new methods of getting work have surfaced. I still use many of those conventional practices from back in the day, and many tend to be profitable – a classic is a classic for a reason, after all. But the more 'alternative' ways to get hired have proved lucrative as well."

Click here to read the full post

Brainleaf is a project scoping app that helps freelancers and web studio owners manage client expectations. Check it out and sign up as a beta user today over at http://brainleaf.com.

I'm Not Speaking to Winter

Here is a recent picture that I took of Ginger. I took it with my iPad when I was in bed. That's where I've been spending a lot of my time lately. In fact, I'm in bed right now. It could either be the fact that I have the best flannel sheets around, or that I'm in the throes of my yearly bout of seasonal affective disorder. 

You might remember me mentioning my SAD in a post I wrote this summer about Robin Williams. And of course, on a warm, beautiful summer day, it's easy to write about winter depression. That's when I'm like, Yeah, I remember what that feels like. But this winter is going to be different! But now that it's January, I'm reminded of how totally sucky it really is. 

There are a few things that are getting me through these dreary months. 

1. My hubby, my family, the friends who know the ins and outs of what I refer to as "my stuff." And my two furry buddies who share the bed with me, Ginger and Coco.

2. My work. Depression does this thing to the brain where it just doesn't process things correctly, but writing seems to cut through that fog. The house is less-than-organized and I've barely seen the other side of my block in over a month, but I'm staying on top of my workload and deadlines. Yay me. 

3. Humor. I'm always fascinated these days when I actually manage a decent pun or funny quip. My brain is still able to find hilarity even when things aren't awesome. A few minutes ago, I asked BJ to pick up some milk on the way home. He asked, "Anything else?" And without missing a beat, I said, "A new brain, if they have it in stock." 

I've decided to talk openly about my winter blues on here because I want depression to not be hidden under stigma - I want it to be a topic of normal conversation. "Hey, I like your shoes. By the way, I have depression." 

It is what it is. January blows, February is slightly better, and March is when everything starts to lift. Until then, you'll occasionally see me dragging myself to the gym, looking zombie-like out at dinner, or looking longingly at a cloud-filled sky. 

Since I can't relocate to Tahiti at the current time, these things I found on Pinterest have managed to lift my spirits, even inspiring a chortle here and there. Enjoy. 

ME

 

ME

ALSO ME