From the heart. From my personal perspective, and how I’ve decided to show support to the Black Lives Matter movement in the hopes that I can inspire you to do the same. Tuck in, pour yourself a warm cuppa and thank you for your time as you allow me to express myself.

day (small ones - like a to-do list) and I check them off or cross them off my list! It’s so empowering!!

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t always get to check things off my lists. Sometimes I don’t get to everything on my list and have to re-evaluate them and see if they are worth carrying forward.

Another reason why I like to write them down in my daily planner is because I’m an easily-distracted-creative. My focus isn’t the greatest. I get bored, distracted and need to always remind myself to re-focus. It’s both a curse and a blessing. The good thing is, I never run out of ideas!!

Before I get to this free March 209 calendar that I made for you, it’s confession time.

Even though I plan and write things down, it doesn’t always mean that I finish everything I hope to. I’m ok with that - now.

I think we plan and try to achieve too much in a short amount of time. Don’t you?!

A few weeks ago, I stupidly walked into a door frame going into a crawl space and gave myself a concussion. I wasn’t skydiving or skiing down a mountain, I literally walked into a door frame, head down, looking at my phone trying to turn off the flashlight app. Stupid right?!

Have you ever dreamed about starting something new, learning something new, or jumping out of your comfort zone to shake things up a bit?! How do we get over the fear?

I’ve learned to be bigger than my fear! I let the fear pop up when it needed to warn me. Then I paused. Asked myself “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” if I hit share, publish or launched a new art piece. With each experience , I was more in control. With each bout of fear, I learned that I wasn’t in danger, and that my life wouldn’t end if I did this one new thing.

I learned a few tricks to help get over fear and am excited to share them with you now!

First off, go ahead and download the goal setting worksheets here. Save them to your computer and print off a copy or two of each. You will notice that I have listed 5 categories; health, spiritual, relationship, finance and personal development. In an effort to simplify life, I will focus on only these 5 categories. Feel free to add others if you need, but keep in mind, simplifying is best so as not to get overwhelmed with your goal setting!

With many hectic days of keeping up with business, two busy teens, university tours, hubby traveling etc., minutes are precious and face-time even more so. My goal for 2019 is to consciously slow down the pace. I was going to end that sentence with “when possible” but that’s not intention enough. My goal for 2019 is to consciously slow down the pace. Period.

I know. You’re thinking to yourself, “Nicki. You’re crazy. You can’t slow the passing of time.”. But I have. I did and I’m figuring out ways to do it more as I go.

I have spent most of my free time recently on painting abstract shapes and playing around with color. I have designs in mind that I am creating for my Society6 shop, that will go on things like pillows, laptop covers and even coffee mugs. Although my personal style in everything from clothing to home decor, is black and white, a small part of me is trying to embrace color {a limited color palette…} and try my hand at designing using some color! Sooooo, I thought I’d make this lovely wallpaper inspired by the falling snow and my current pattern designing mode, in the hopes of creating a lovely wallpaper to inspire you through the rest of November!

Looking for self care ideas or routine?! I outline 5 easy ways to incorporate more self care into your every day. Read more about how to create self care routines on www.lifeidesign.com

If you've joined me on my last blog post, you'll know that I had a BIG goal to create my very first online class on the Skillshare platform.  Well, I managed to hit "publish" almost a week before my scheduled deadline!!!

I am not a perfectionist by any means, but I do dwell on details a little too much some times.  I have learned over the last few years, that done is better than perfect.  Agonizing over the details of a plan is necessary sometimes, for instance, when building a structure, or planning a Will, however,  agonizing over the details of an online class... not so much!

A goal without a plan is just a wish is a great motivational quote to help you set goals for 2018! Download the how to set intentions worksheets too!! Print as many as you need and start planning big things in 2018!

Free printable weekly planner template to help keep you organized and inspired.  Use these beautifully designed weekly planning sheets for your business and personal events, goals and to-do lists!  Stay organized in style!

A great new collaboration with Scrapbook and Cards Today!  Stay tuned for designs, classes and more!

Free Tech Wallpaper Download.  Change is good! Watercolor background, inspiring quote and it's free for you to download and share!

This is what October means to me...

Being an entrepreneur is hard work! When you've had a bad week and need to get yourself out of a slump, how do you find that inspiration to stay positive and keep going?! This week's note to self is a good tool! 

Fun, tropical new wallpaper for free to download for your iPhone, iPad and desktop!  Sun sand beach please!!!  www.lifeidesign.com

Have fun and learn how to set intentions for 2016 by downloading and printing these free work sheets designed by Nicki Traikos of lifeidesign.com.  I have decided to set intentions vs goals.  I've decided to choose how I want to feel and let nature takes its course and guide me where I need to take action.

Everyone needs a "note to self" every once in a while.  I've been writing notes to myself for a few years now and feel that words can be so uplifting and inspiring so I began sharing these "notes to self" on social media and realized that everyone can use a "note to self" or a little nudge once in a while.