I’m not patient. I have a killer eyeroll some people hate. I’m snarky about those that don’t use common sense. So it pains me to have a new job where I’m given money to create content on the internet. Well, no, I like the creating part. The curating and reading and sharing gets to me. I sift through internet noise all day looking for quality to share. Hopefully soon I’ll weed out the junk. There’s so much junk.

If you are new to social media…you are so late to the party you are on clean up crew and the cool kids are smirking at you – so you better at least be wearing something blingy. But, you’ll find so many lists telling you that you need an app, or their help, or 34838677087346 best practices they’ve outlined in an infographic that they’ll send to your email.

Don’t listen.

I mean, if you suck, you suck. No app can help. So DON’T SUCK.

•  Spell shit right.
  • Your grammar and spelling will be judged. Cut and paste in to something that has spell check. Reread. Take a breath. Social media flies by and gives you the impression people are out there WONDERING WHY YOU HAVEN’T POSTED YET. They’re not. It’s ok. Take the time to get it right.
• Swear if you want.
  • The real point is be yourself. If I can’t get a sense of YOUness, I’m not interested. The most successful people online – you feel like you KNOW them. Whether that’s swearing or running around in short shorts taking booty pics, or talking about church, just DO you. Be authentic, not what you think people want to see. That never works.
• Ignore all those ‘best practice’ ideas.
  • No one knows your business or goals like you. I see the irony of making a list telling you to ignore lists, but the real takeaway should be that a process of elimination will tell you what works for your audience. Maybe some nerds talking about gardening really want a pic of your flowers. Every. Single. Day.
• Thank people.
  • Being nice and noticing other people will get you farther than cramming your crap down their throats and wondering why they don’t respond. A little effort goes a long way. My favorite group of people online are massage therapist friends of a girl I went to school with. Because they support each other and make the effort to share successes. It’s kinda the point.

How to respond to social media tips.

Well, other than mine of course.

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? What else would you add that you are sick of seeing/hearing/being told?

What I did in this case is receive some boots. I wore them for a month. Now I can tell you about them

I was skeptical of this new line – there are so few good boots out there for women that are fashionable and at the same time functional. My hectic work week/ski weekend lifestyle has been a big adjustment.

So the first thing I liked was having something so stylish that I was able to wear to the office on snow days. I can leave them by the door and throw them on for my ski days on the mountain too. I love the thickness, warmth, and ankle support that is crucial to walking in Utah’s famously deep soft snow.

I wore these during Sundance, every day heading to the hill, and as I mentioned, to the office. People complimented me on them, and yes, were surprised they were UGGS.

Goofing around.

I’m also pleased that after some rough wear, they still look and feel brand new. These are going to be a winter staple for me – for more than this season.

Now it’s mid February and I finally came back to the mat. Not judging, not forgetting I’m a work in progress. The things I love change and fall by the wayside occasionally. Writing here used to be the most important thing to me. With adjusting to a new job and a new lifestyle, work and sleep have been winning over writing and exercise.

But it took today to realize you have to fight for what you want. Passion is making the time. And as far as yoga goes, today reminded me that the thing you bail on or put off might be the very thing you need the most.

I have the emails and podcasts saved, I have the commitment to just do the best I can. To take the failure as part of the lesson and to know that just what I needed was just what I got and what I will get as I recommit to my practice and better use and management of my time. I’ll finish my 40 days eventually. I’ll be late, but I’ll accept what it was, what it is, and where I will be soon. I’m guaranteed a transformation every time I get back in to my practice, and I plan on fighting harder to not let it go again.

What is something in your life that you want to commit to improving?

This one is on a topic I find a complete joke – The Filtering Photo Wars. Discussing flickr like it’s relevant is funny. You can’t even see the title because I’m not letting you find the article. Just know that INSTAGAMS is a typo, not another social media app for sharing shots of your legs. Sorry to disappoint.

Except me. I will continue to take too may photos of snow and sunsets and not grow beyond that realm.

Good news is, even without the phone app you can view said monotonous photos with this link.

Hooray, it is your lucky day.

Can’t spell, but want you to trust them with the selling of your home…

-provided by a friend that enjoys laughing at typos too!

You have any other good ones?

Last month, I left Park City and drove to Sedona and saw a ton of family: grandparents, parents, brothers, and uncles. One of my brothers was a complete surprise that my whole family actually managed to keep the lid on!

It was a wonderful trip. The family took my Meme to the Grand Canyon and spent some really great time together. My Daddy spoils us <3 and everyone had the perfect time. And Cowboy Club steak dinner, of course.

From there, I went to San Diego and saw a bunch of friends. I got to surprise some of them and celebrate a dear friends birthday.

Then I flew to China for two weeks.

What can I even say? The food, the culture, the sights…the whole thing was so much to take in. My brain is almost as full as the camera SD cards, haha.

After returning home (via San Diego again), I can’t believe the month that was.

I saw so much, experienced even more, maybe even grew up a little. Time will tell on the last one.

So I’m letting everything marinate for a while. I kept a diary and plan on doing a little daily update to share my China experience, like I did when I went to New Zealand forever ago.

Stay tuned.

I’m excited to have something to write about and share. I hope I can do it justice! Giving myself some time to unwind from travel should help.

In the meantime, here are some photos from the first part of my trip, to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Enjoy!