A Year in the Life of a Reflective Multi-passionate Portfolioist
A category by category breakdown
Week 1 of 2 and it feels like Groundhog Day!
As new restrictions, closures, and cancellations due to COVID-19 were introduced this week, I thought it was January again.
An entire year has passed and along with it, many personal highs, lows, and in-betweens.
To share more about what my life as a multi-passionate Portfolioist is like, I’m sharing my wins and realizations. I was hesitant to share at first, but when I thought about “walking my talk”, I realized that my structure could inspire others to reflect more deeply.
Using these 10 life design categories (thanks Ness Labs for the inspiration) was vital, and I encourage you to use these or alter them as you see fit. Perhaps, like me, you’ll also use them to think about your 2022 intentions? Mine are in progress…
If you’re wondering what I mean by “multipassionate portfolioist”, I see it as pursuing multiple projects, interests, projects, and simultaneously (or at least in rapid succession) in diverse contexts. Our portfolio of life activities makes us who we are, so perhaps we’re all Portfolioists. I’m simply “naming and claiming” the term. Now, onto the long list!
1. HEALTH + FITNESS
Wins
Did yoga online with The Class and Mindcamp, and then on my own Jan – June
Joined the Academy of Lions weekly in-person CrossFit masters (!) class Aug – present
10-minute exercise sessions with Sebastian during online school
Started mindfulness meditations before bed with Insight Timer Jan – June
Walked 3-4 x/week with my neighbour…behind our boys on their way to school
Stretched almost daily with my chest opener (aka red broom stick)
Cooked more whole foods, baked pies, made energy balls & muffins
Drank more water in the am, lots of tea in the pm, and hardly any coffee
All of us getting vaccinated and boosted
Realizations
I’m inconsistent because I get bored easily. Changing things up ~ exercise, nutrition, cooking, and mindfulness, is key.
I need a variety of movements to stay motivated. Gym classes are ok as long as the instructor changes tempo and activities.
Buying key staple foods before deciding what to make with them works well if I trust
Placing empty glasses by the sink promotes better water intake
Good chai tea in the morning is way more satisfying than decaf coffee
Walking outside at the cottage is a mega boost of fresh air, relaxation, and inspiration
2. HOME + BELONGINGS
Wins
Decluttered my closet (as well as Sebastian’s), which makes everything feel lighter
Gained new decluttering/organizing insights and strategies to help overcome obstacles by working 1:1 with clients
Kept our online shopping under control during the pandemic despite marketers pushing us otherwise
Enjoyed the fruits of our labour (veggies, herbs, cut flowers) for months
Seeing our new minimalist-designed front garden come together
Realizations
When I feel stressed, decluttering or organizing makes me feel like I’m in control of something!
Facilitating the Get it Done Accountability Group 3x this year helped participants make huge gains decluttering & streamlining and helped me focus more intently on my role as a transformational coach and facilitator.
Nothing like a few neighbourhood car break-ins to get me to declutter my car = external catalyst to do what needs doing
Gardening our back was way more fun alongside our tenant Katie – I’m such a gardening newbie!
Selling items online or giving them away in Buy Nothing groups is a win-win situation
Considering a move to a new location feels freeing and scary. Staying put feels safe and comfortable. So, what to do?
3. WORK + BUSINESS
Wins
New JessicaTudos.com website went live - aligns with who I am, what I believe in, and how I help others
Integrated email marketing into my business through Flodesk & Acuity
Facilitated three Get It Done! Online Accountability Groups
Created my 100 Most Inspiring Books list along with Amazon affiliate links
Facilitated 1:1 decluttering, organizing, and life design coaching with a range of amazing clients
Added 200+ new people to my community email list
Completed the extensive TDSB presenter/speaker application (including video footage)
Facilitated 6 online workshops - Professional Organizers of Canada, Multipotentialite Puttyverse, Open Studio + Leela
Created my own Canva ads for Centre for Social Innovation, Moms at Work
Shared my expertise on FB lives with Sarah Rosensweet, Kim Cullen, and Yendre Shen
Taught Marketing & Study Skills for 3 semesters and facilitated an organizing/life design workshop at Seneca College
Realizations
As a solopreneur, I wouldn’t have been able to carry out many wins above without professional help. Thanks Siska, Hannah, Nafi, Heather, and Amy for your support
When transferring my Mailchimp email list to Flodesk, I deleted 200+ inactive emails (scary) and am glad to have my supports here
With 1,000,000 resources to help me run my business, I must choose wisely, say no, and do less “procrasti-research”!
My airpods, timer, desk set up, bulletin board, and clever fox weekly planner helped me stay on track
I truly love in-person decluttering & organizing with clients. I’m also pleasantly surprised by how effective it can be online
There are many ways to work. As a multi-passionate Portfolioist, I will always have multiple jobs, projects, and passions on the go, so it’s best to accept that, find focus, stay in my lane, and build my working life around my strengths.
I don’t want to build a big business. I’d like to be the catalyst who helps people design lives they love
Burnout sucks. After pushing hard in the spring, I burnt out in the summer and had to learn how to reset and recharge.
4. PERSONAL LIFE + FAMILY
Wins
Managed to prevail during this unprecedented year of COVID-19 lovingly intact
Visited our cottage consistently for longer visits (a respite from the pandemic). Having guests (when possible) a bonus
Visited my parents & sister (and family) regularly indoors and out, and made it special
Found new methods to communicate as a couple and increased my empathy - what’s your love language?!
Cooked up a storm with my mom and sister - General Tao would be proud.
Promoted physical & mental health for Sebastian through hockey, shinny, parkour, and scootering in-person & online
Enjoyed 4 days with our extended family in Gananoque, ON
Gave Ozzie a tender send-off to doggie heaven after 12 years of his special presence
Realizations
Despite all the challenges that the pandemic has brought, our family remains a committed, strong unit.
Seeing my parents “weather the storm” better than I is very inspiring
Kids are adaptable if they feel seen, heard, and loved. Structure helps too.
I’ve wanted to be alone and get away a lot, while my single friends craved connection and intimacy. I’m grateful for having both.
At our family reunion, the best moments were so simple – enjoying a picnic, playing baseball, watching the Olympics, sitting by the beach…no need for too much fancy stuff to enjoy each other’s company
We didn’t host an extended family Zoom this year (in 2020, 25 of us on 3 continents “met”) - and I missed doing this.
5. FRIENDS + COMMUNITY
Wins
Committed to consistent interactions in-person and online with good friends (Thank you SP, SC, FC, CN, DM, AM, LD)
Engaged fully in online communities such as Kate Northrup’s Origin, Make Lemonade, Jenny Shih’s MIWO, Ship 30 for 30, That’s What She Said, and Make Lemonade was life and work-affirming
Hung out at a friend’s cottage in Haliburton while our boys went to Medeba day camp
Enjoyed patios and supporting local businesses during pandemic restrictions
Welcomed the new moon with my fellow GTA Origin Empresses in person
Hung out with the eclectic Bass Lake cottage crowd – Survivor day + NYE lobster fest were epic!
Dined out in style at a dinner party organized by Chef in the House = great night out after a long dry spell
Sung carols in the alleyway at the local holiday party, complete with hockey, trombones, and falling over Santa
Realizations
Although my social circle shrank, the quality of my interactions deepened
Having a regular Zoom date with a small group of friends is comforting, intimate, engaging, and fun
Saying NO to online events was tough at first due to FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), which then became JOMO (Joy of...)
I have gained so much from my new online friendships, but I do wonder how they will evolve? It’s new territory for us all.
Belly laughing with other women (along with plenty of wine and chocolate) is energizing
6. LEARNING + KNOWLEDGE
Wins
Completed Make It Work Online (MIWO), a 3-month intensive foundations of business coaching program
Engaged fully in the Origin community, where I’m learning about my feminine + masculine power, cyclical living, spirituality, and the “Do Less” method for sustainable life and business design
Published 30 atomic essays (~ 300 words) as part of the Oct Ship 30 for 30 cohort. I am a digital writer.
Facilitated interactive and well-received Zoom sessions in a variety of settings after a few false starts
Experimented with various social media to find what I like and increase my visibility, & efficiency (yay Later!)
Continued to read, watch, and implement what I was learning about relationships and parenting = humbling
Realizations
Without learning something new, I feel numb. I need to learn to survive and thrive.
Although I learned the basics of many new tech tools, I mastered only a few. I am tech-averse.
I do not like to learn how to do something from a video – I prefer Zoom or an article.
By publishing 30 essays in 30 days, I learned that being creative within structure is the ideal way to stay creative.
Just when I think “Ok, we got this”, along comes the next challenge or opportunity to choose from. Must breathe.
7. CREATIVITY + HOBBIES
Wins
Committed to writing! Published 30 essays, tweeted 100+, published blogs & Thrive with 5, sent emails to my list
Got paid to write for Simply Home Downsizing and for leading a writing workshop for Professional Organizers of Canada
Excavated and pulled out key stories from my 40+ journals and created a timeline of my life...so far!
Sorted through my big box of paperwork/memorabilia, pulled out key pieces, and recycled the rest
Explored writing/book support and coaching options through Jacq Fish’s Write Like a MOFO, Amy Isaman’s Write The Damn Book, Denise Micheals, Green Goose, and Ingenium books. Decided to hire a “thought partner” in Kate Hanley.
Kika the Upside-Down Girl is now updated on Amazon, and a key component in my TDSB prsentations
Joined Erica Ross’ bi-weekly Open Studio and loved connecting, creating, and sharing with fellow creatives
Read 70 books on Goodreads (my goal), many of which landed on my 100 Most Inspiring Books list
Created another annual photo book with images we all love
Indulged in cottage hobbies like reading, baking, cooking, and walking - so grateful for the space.
Realizations
Writing became a major focus this year because I decided to put my attention there.
I feel compelled to capture ideas from my 40+ journals – not sure how or exactly when, I know there’s a book to create.
I’m excited and nervous about managing my expectations for my new book, Kika 2.0
Kika the Upside-Down Girl is a book that keeps on giving, and I love sharing it!
Did not use my studio space to create up north this summer, which made me a bit sad
Watching Jeremy renovate the Airstream is inspiring - I’d like to help out more
Did not leave too much room for hobbies at home – most things felt like must-dos
8. TRAVEL + CULTURE
Wins
Family trips to Haliburton, Gananoque, Peterborough, and the cottage
Solo trips to Woodhaven and Peterborough to recharge and refocus
Date nights with Jeremy at a few local restaurants (Actinolite!) felt like a trip this year!
Snuggling on the couch for family TV/movie nights
Realizations
Unlike previous years, we did not travel far from home, which was surprisingly easy to accept…which surprised me
Watching mature shows & movies as a family is fun – who knew I’d like Marvel so much!
Favourite movies = Tik Tik Boom with Andrew Garfield
Favourite TV shows = Lost in Space, Unlisted, The Mandalorian, Hardy Boys, Kim’s Convenience, Queer Eye
Favourite songs = Easy on Me by Adele, 100 Moons by Merna, Wonder by Shawn Mendes
Favourite podcasts = We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle, Smartless, Marie Forleo, The Tim Ferriss Show
Favourite books = Keep Going by Austin Kleon, How to Be Everything by Emilie Wapnick, Do Less by Kate Northrup
9. EMOTIONS + SPIRITUALITY
Wins
Managed to stay sane, stable, and optimistic (80%) despite the pandemic and life stress
Helped my dad manage his anxiety on several occasions just by listening.
Letting go of unrealistic parenting expectations and incorporating the Plan B or C approach – thanks AM!
Capturing daily highlights in my One Line a Day journal and seeing what we did that day in years past
Realizations
When I’m stressed or scared, I look for ways to gain control, which can be ok if only I, but not ok with others
I felt calmer after talking with Sebastian & Jeremy about our navigation of Covid and the changes it brought on
I am unsure of how to incorporate spirituality into my life right now - I am questioning what it means to me
Whenever I opened up about my true feelings (and uncertainties) to those close to me, we connected more deeply
10. MONEY + FINANCE
Wins
Paid off my car, which I will now keep
Found a new condo tenant after a dishonest Airbnb experience with the original tenant.
Painted the condo white inside. Carpet replaced and doors painted grey in public areas
Compiled and sent off all paperwork for our retirement plans
Reviewed our finances ~ current and future house/living arrangements
Realizations
I accept that my Seneca teaching enables the stability I need to take more risks in my edupreneurial/coaching work
Finding a good tenant during a pandemic is challenging. I had to trust the process fully.
Setting myself up for financial freedom (and not worrying too much about money) is worth all the effort
There you have it - my wins and realizations for 2021.
By sharing here, I hope you’ll be inspired to reflect on your year, month, day - whatever helps you design a life you love!