“There are seven days in the week, and someday isn’t one of them.” – Benny Lewis
As I sit here on the plane coming back from Hawaii for the second time in a year, I think to myself so many thoughts. “Wow, I’m so lucky to live this life!” “How do I continue to do this yearly?” “How do I do more epic trips multiple times a year?” “Everyone needs to experience awe inspiring moments in life, how do I inspire others to go and do this?” “Wouldn’t we all be a better version of ourselves if we got to experience events like this, either in rare form that are special, or on a more regular basis?” And then, my mind wanders to the end of my trip last year. While in Hawaii, my sweet and kind mother-in-law, Gina, was having difficulty breathing. After visiting the ER and getting her lungs drained, a tumor was found. While I was soaking up the sunshine thousands of miles away, Gina was being told she has lung cancer. It wasn’t until we arrived home, that I accompanied her to the doctor to learn the official diagnosis and discuss the plan moving forward.
The Diagnosis:
We knew it probably wasn’t good that she was having to have her lungs drained, but Gina was healthy; she had never smoked, didn’t drink, and ate a healthy diet, so it was hopefully caught early and we’d get through this like we’ve tackled cancer in the past. Even with these thoughts, I’m not going to lie, going back to the doctor’s office sure gave me a lot of feels from my own cancer battle in 2015. Cancer sucks.
That morning, the doctor looked Gina in the eyes, her voice calm yet heavy: “I’m sorry, Gina. The cancer is stage four, and it’s terminal.”
Even now, a year later, typing those words chills me to my core. Sweet, loving Gina—who was set to retire in six months. Gina, who adored her grandkids and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her next grandson in just one month. Gina, who had worked tirelessly for years, dreaming of retirement adventures with her family, her horse, and all the trips she’d put off.
Now, those dreams were slipping away, replaced by a timeline none of us could have imagined.
Make It Count:
If you or someone close to you has faced a cancer diagnosis, you know the whirlwind of emotions that come with it—especially when it’s terminal. From the haunting question of “How long?” to the practical, overwhelming “Now what?”, the past year has been filled with uncertainty for us.
Just like in 2015 during my own cancer battle, I’ve been reminded of a core belief: Make It Count. Make your days count. Make your life count. Create the best damn life you can live. That’s the heart of this Elevate Livin’ Life e-newsletter—to inspire and empower you to do just that.
Reflecting on my 2024 trip to Hawaii and this past year, I feel an even stronger pull to embrace the things that light my soul on fire. The bucket-list dreams, the spur-of-the-moment adventures, the micro-joys like a sunset dinner instead of the routine meal at home—all of it. Let’s stop waiting for someday and start living today.
Soul-Fulfilling Moments:
During my trip, I listened to The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter, a book that explores the transformative power of stepping outside your comfort zone. Easter shares his experience of a 33-day backcountry caribou hunt in Alaska, weaving it with fascinating research on health, fitness, and human behavior. One idea that resonated deeply with me is the concept of “creating impressions in your scrapbook.”
Easter explains how novel, meaningful experiences—what his mentor calls “misogi” events—leave lasting imprints on our memory. These are the moments that fill your life’s metaphorical scrapbook, making time feel richer and more vibrant. Without them, life can blur into monotony, with years slipping by unnoticed.
This struck a chord with me. As someone who loved scrapbooking as a child and journaling as an adult, I understand the joy of revisiting memories that make you feel alive. Whether it’s a type-two-fun adventure or a simple break from routine, these experiences fuel inspiration and remind us why we’re here: to truly live.
Mundane is Necessary:
Mundane tasks are a part of life—they aren’t exciting, but they need to get done…at some point. Before diving into actionable steps to tackle them efficiently, let’s pause and reflect on the idea of “at some point.” Most daily chores aren’t urgent. The dishes can wait another day, and the laundry will still be there tomorrow.
This perspective has been freeing for me. I used to hate going to bed with a messy kitchen, but I’ve learned that sometimes choosing a family bike ride after dinner is more valuable than waking up to a spotless house. Those moments of connection are far more cherishable than a clean countertop.
With that said, here are some actionable steps to manage mundane tasks with more efficiency:
- Batch Similar Tasks
- Meal prep on one dedicated day (see last month’s newsletter HERE for tips!).
- For laundry, tackle one child’s clothes a day or designate specific days for washing, folding, and putting away.
- Set Time Limits
- Use a timer to create urgency—like 15 minutes for tidying up or folding laundry.
- Use the 2-Minute Rule
- If something takes less than two minutes, handle it immediately to prevent buildup.
- Automate and Outsource
- Leverage automation for recurring tasks like groceries or consider outsourcing cleaning. Hiring help isn’t a luxury—it’s a way to create more time for what matters most.
- Let me add to this, you can do it all, but should you? Treat yourself to more time in life by hiring out what others can do better, faster, or cheaper.
- Enlist Help from Housemates
- Get your family involved. Even young kids can pitch in, and you might be surprised at how capable they can be with the right encouragement or a game to make it fun.
- Save It for Rainy Days
- Plan big chores or projects for less desirable weather days. Knowing November is often dreary, I’ll intentionally save house projects for that time.
How about you? What are your favorite strategies for tackling life’s endless mundane tasks?
Moving Beyond the Mundane:
Now that we’ve got a handle on the mundane, let’s focus on the good stuff. The stuff that makes you feel most alive. So first, I’ll pose a question or two: Are you truly living a life worth living? Are you loving your life? Are you excited about what’s happening today or in the next 30 days? What about this year? If not, what could change that?
Whether it’s a larger misogi event or something simple like a sunset dinner outside, shake it up. Create new impressions to fill your scrapbook of life. Life can change in an instant—as I learned through my own cancer journey and Gina’s terminal diagnosis—so don’t wait. Book that flight to Hawaii (ask me how to snag $300 roundtrip flights or sign up HERE for ongoing flight hookups), pack up the car for a Saturday trip to the nearest state park, or just do something novel.
Even if it’s messy or stressful in the moment, these experiences create memories that last forever. I hope your novel activity makes you feel alive and inspires you to chase even more adventures.
If you want ideas for soul-filling experiences—whether budget-friendly or extravagant—reach out! I have a list to share. Start brainstorming your own bucket list now because you never know when it might be too late.
Lastly, surround yourself with soul-fulfilling, go-getter friends. I’m so grateful for my besties who encourage me to embrace adventure and keep me accountable. We’re all juggling young kids, busy jobs, and life’s responsibilities, but we push each other to make time for ourselves and for fun. Go find your people who lift you up and challenge you to live fully!
A Magical Year, kind of…
So, in one year, we’ve tried to make it the best year of Gina’s life. I mean, she’s still fighting cancer so there’s that. But, thankfully at this time, she’s doing “good”. Still feels fine, and is keeping the cancer at bay, although she’ll supposedly never be cured of it and we still have no idea how much time there is. We believe it’s many many years, but we’re acting like it’s not. We’ve gone on more trips, had more visits, and deeper conversations than ever before. I’m grateful for what this year has brought, but of course it has me analyzing, why is there a need for a cancer diagnosis to kickstart this zest for living it up? Why, when you’re faced with the end do you feel the need to cram it all in? And then when you’re trying to cram it all in, you’re having to do it between MRI scans, chemo infusions, being wiped out from chemo, doctor appointments, and so on. Why not start cramming it all in NOW when you feel your healthiest?
I encourage you to go pull out that dream book we always talk about and pick at least one item on your someday-maybe list and put it in your calendar. Right now. Don’t worry, I’ll wait. 🙂 Now, take the steps to make it happen. Life’s responsibilities will sort themselves out—but don’t miss out on living before it’s too late.
As always, thank you for reading. Writing these newsletters not only fulfills my passion for sharing and inspiring but also serves as a personal accountability tool. It reminds me that life’s to-do lists are endless—laundry will always return, but a spontaneous powder day or a chance to surf with my kids in Hawaii is fleeting.
Your presence here encourages me to embrace more “Yes” moments and fill my scrapbook with meaningful memories. I hope you have a soul-filling Christmas and New Year with your loved ones. And if you wish you’d planned that Christmas getaway, take the first step today and book it for next year.
-Kelli
Elevate TC Services 