are you a closet extrovert?

A year ago I wrote about "the power of introverts" and how many cords the then recently read articles on the subject and Ted talk with Susan Cain stroke for me.

The most important thing everyone should learn about the introvert personality is that most of us aren't anti-social loners, quite the opposite in fact. BUT we don't do the group thing, we don't thrive on being the centre of attention in social gatherings, we have no need for constant public acknowledgement. We love the one on one interaction, we find that being in social situations with loads of people often drains energy rather than gives and a lot of alone time for reflection and recharging is absolutely essential.

When I say "we" I mean I, but also friends and acquaintances who are introverts say the same. So I think it's safe to say that it's a reasonable accurate generalisation. Even if there's of course a floating scale of introvertism.

And that's why I'm asking the question "are you a closet extrovert?". Because the other day I talked with a good friend (we are star sisters and so much alike in many ways, we often read eachothers' minds, but also, apparently very much unlike eachother in others) about how brilliant I think business speed dating (aka speed networking) is and what a great time I had doing it again the other day. Showed her some photos and she exclaimed "This would be like my worst nightmare!". Too many people, to much talking, too short a time, too superficial, too draining. "You are crazy, you are a closet extrovert!".

I tried to explain how much I love the speediness, efficiency, no mindless and awkward mingling with perfect strangers, you can sort your thoughts and business cards out at home and see who you'd like to have a lunch or coffee with - and that it's very much a one on one thing, but a speedy one. Even if the sound level and the speediness can be tiring, it's mostly a great buzz and very inspiring, because even if you will certainly not click with everyone you will meet some really great and interesting people to contact afterwards to meet under calmer circumstances.

She insisted on it being nightmare inducing. "All those faces would haunt me for nights to come...". We are simply same same but different.

Being an introvert (but social in doses I choose myself) is another reason running my own business suits me so well, I have lots of time to reflect and work on my own. I would go mad having to spend time with people in an office on a daily basis again. I need quiet. But I also need inspiration, good talks and good people. And getting a buzz from that. I am not a closet extrovert, I am a social on my own terms introvert.

How about you, where on the floating scale of introvertism are you?
Or are you perhaps a closet extrovert?

hearty friday

a fresh juice, carrot, apple, cranberry. and as it's friday, served in a special glass. heart.

green and pink. always does the trick. especially when the sun shines.

new happy stickers fellas on the train. this time a sleepyhead and playful friends.

best thing of this day though, was a fantastic conversation with a friend. i poured my head, heart and laugh out. 

a lovely way to start the weekend. have a happy one!

productivity with prosit

having had a crazy productive day my conclusion is this;

* however great it is to be productive and multi-tasking i would go mad if every day would be like this one. 

* i will from here on be more grateful about days with slower pace. 

* but as always, variety is the spice of life.

* and i'm pretty excited about several things of today.

* i also have a great boss that allows a bit of foot spa in the office. in fact i love my boss. for all sorts of reasons.

old faithful pink

With spring definitely upon us (touch wood) I thought it would be nice to dust (literally...) off some old faithful handbag servants. From those days when I felt it was okey to a) buy new leather handbags and it was possible to b) pay a substantial (ridiculous) amount of money for said handbags. In those days I also named each and every handbag, yes I did.

I'm glad I'm a much better earthling today than I was then.

But the handbags remain, now and then they get to come out and faithfully serve. Currently I've downsized the content in my handbag (it is possible!) so everything fits in wee Rosa. It's rather delightful to have such a reasonably small handbag tag along plus I adore the colour. Not to shabby on the eye in design either. Which makes me think of the quote "Fashion fades, style remains".

Do you change your handbags depending on season?
Or occasion? Big, small, in between?
How should the perfect handbag look and be?

meet the supplements

Meet the trio of supplements that has helped me through the winter. Well at least two have, the trustworthy linseed oil capsules (the vital Omega 3 for vegetarians and vegans. And I dare say they probably trumps the fishy Omega 3 for everyone no matter diet.) and the D2 vitamin (no animal ingredients) have helped beating the winter blues and coping with dark dark days. With lighter, longer days, more sunshine and more outdoors life I will probably stop taking the D2 until autumn is upon us again. The linseed oil capsules I've been eating for over a year now and they've been absolutely essential for my wellbeing all year round.

Even if my diet is varied, I'm not vegan and as a vegetarian I eat a moderate amount of cheese and butter, I've for various reasons begun eating B12 recently. As it's only been a couple of weeks it's difficult to say whether or not some minor issues I've experienced have been improved yet. But it's good to know I've got everything covered. From a diet, vitamin and well-being point of view at least.

in pursuit of magic

One lovely thing with spending time in the company of bobbaloos is that every experience holds a dash of magic, suddenly the world looks so different, exciting and new. The perspective changes and inspires.

Like in climbing lilacs or scary incidents with cats to name but a few.

What helps you pursuit magic?

puss with boots

Shoes and bobbaloos. Ever since I realized I'm addicted very fond of a certain type of shoes and bobbaloos I've been meaning to have a grand, proper photo session involving both. As I fear such a distinct proof of my madness fondness would perhaps lead to custodial care I've not gotten around to it. Yet.

This photo however is more about saying thanks for the great companionship through the winter that was, dear boots, it'll soon be hibernation time for you, some special TLC before you get to rest in your boxes for six months. And no matter what I do, there's always at least one inspector doing their duty. Puss and boots.

I remember how awful it felt finally having to say goodbye to the long last summer, to succumb to the fact that you had to wear socks and stockings in shoes. As much as I'm looking forward to lighter, warmer days, I'm now aware that I will feel the same when the opposite is a fact, it'll be difficult to yield saying goodbye to socks and stockings, there's always something strangely defenseless and skinless about bare legs initially.

Having to hibernate a certain fabulous coat will not be an easy thing to do... But I can already imagine how lovely it will feel when it's its time again. Wistfulness and joy, hand in hand, even when it comes to something as seemingly shallow as clothes.

The older I get, the deeper my emotions get, about the silliest things, about the really important matters. And there's really nothing I can do about that, I let myself go with the seasonal flow and if I can I embrace the depths, whether it's a silly little nonsensical thing or something essential. Because so much in life lies in the details and I've come to the conclusion that if you care for the daft little matters, the ones seemingly not significant in the big scheme of things, give attention to details, you also tend to care for the whole picture, the crucial things, you are more proned and able to connect the dots.

On a professional level I also find that attention to details signals quality and trustiness, not to mention it's always aesthetically pleasing. Slipshoddiness never is.

So, I suppose in a strange (or not) way there's some method to my madness fondness for details (shoes) and saying thank you for the season that was to five boots therefore makes perfect sense. Especially on a day when the temperatures showed 14 C. It may well be that spring is already, too soon for comfort, upon us. Thus I am grateful for all the comfort and spright in steps you've brought me all through autumn and winter, dear boots. Thank you so much. Puss with boots.

vegan chocolate bisque treat

Got these samples of vegan chocolate bisques (chokladbiskvier in Swedish) from a friend the other day. Now and then I have a bisque, not a favourite pastry as such, I'm no fan of butter cream, but sometimes, well it's a nice wee thing to have for fika.

This was the first time I enjoyed a vegan one (basically you swap two ingredients to milk free butter and milk free chocolate, hey presto vegan) and it was delightful! And the butter cream wasn't buttery at all thus it was actually much better than a regular bisque as far as I'm concerned.

I will try and bake this myself, but so far I have not been able to find any milk free butter that doesn't contain palmoil (which sadly continue to be my major issue with too many vegan food items) so until then, no vegan bisque making for me. Alas.

how creative people behave, part I

Read two great articles on creativity the other day. Rather substantial reads, they take a while to digest but they're so worth it. Let's start with the first article. Here's part I on creativity -

18 things highly creative people do

These are my personal thoughts on the article and the 18 mentioned things;

Besides being a really thoughtprovoking read I also love the aha-moment of "so THAT's why I behave like I do!". Because even if I mostly love my brain and how it constantly observe, thinks and ticks, sometimes it seems like it would be... relaxing to not have a brain that's more or less constantly process, (over)thinks and (over)analyze people, behaviours, matters.

But in that "constantly working brain" there is also the fact of daydreaming, relaxing but also, as far as I'm concerned, is a way to focus on goals and dreams.

Being a creative soul also involves working the hours that work for them (us) - as you now I seriously hate being trapped in a 9-5 routine. I love how I am able to do create my own working hours, take a Tuesday off, work on the weekend.

As much as I adore spending time with inspirational people, being an introvert soul I also love spending time on my own, take time for solitude, sorting thoughts, ideas, feelings out is essential.

To be able to turn life's obstacles around - how you react when life hands you lemons, going through rough patches really does make you see and act differently. See possibilities instead of problems. 2013 was really the year when I fully realized that and where able to embrace it for myself. Too bad you can't always convince your surrounding...

I am definitely a curious person who loves new experiences and learn new things, but I also think I have to challenge myself more to new and uncomfortable (for me) things (without losing the common sense self-preservation). That is how we evolve.

To fail, whatever that means, well, haven't we all? How we react to it, how we move on and which lessons we learn, that defines who we are. Embracing failure.

To ask big questions, I wish more would! To see the connections, how our daily choices, life choices impact others and the rest of the world. I believe we owe ourselves to that, not to mention we owe the world that. We should all strive to become better earthlings during the brief time we exist on this planet.

People watching, one of my favourite past times. Human behaviour and interaction, intriguing, heartbreaking, maddening and endearing. To build little stories about people in my mind, about the whys and hows, I do it constantly.

Taking risks, well, with age, family ties, loans, house and a basic prudent personality (and lawyer background) that doesn't approve of financial risk taking as such, I don't concider myself a risk taker. Too chicken-hearted. But then again, others have called me brave, in matters I concider the only viable option, any other choice would make my soul wither and die. What others concider to be risk-taking I may not.

"They view all of life as an opportunity for self-expression." Seriously, is there any other way to view life?! Go ask a bobbaloo and they would say "NO!!".

To follow one's true passion, if more would, what a wonderful world this would be! Follow your passion.

Get out of one's own head, I spend a lot of time not only observing others, I observe myself, my behaviours and quirks from the outside too. It's a useful tool to learn, change and grow from. And sometimes give yourself credit for thinking and behaving in a truly professional and dignified manner.

Being all-absorbed with a project or task, do what you love best, where did the time go? It's a lovely lovely thing to loose track of time due to that!

To surround oneself with beauty, well, duh. The importance of beauty and inspiration

To connect the dots, one of life's greatest mysteries and sorrows, the reason for Weltschmerz, is that so few seem able to do just that.

Variety is the spice of life (in Swedish "Omväxling förnöjer"), dare to shake things up on a regular basis!

I surround myself with cats, they are a constant source of mindfullness and inspiration.

What did you think about the article?
Does it describe you and your creativity?
Did you find it inspiring?

thursday thoughts

It has been a long long day. But also a very good day. Inspiring and (in a good way) tiring.

~ A very early morning showed benevolent sunshine, frost and mist (it was so beautiful I would have loved to crawl around with the camera in a field somewhere trying to capture something magic. Instead I spent it on the bus and train. But I'm relieved to report I survived the morning rush hour).

~ I attended a fun and inspiring breakfast (sans breakfast because I'm no fan of mingle with food) seminar about email marketing, marketing automation and lead management. Some parts where really enlightening (the Obama campaign-case above was one) others rather in your face sales pitch ridiculous. Bromos and tradesman jargon is really off-putting. But all and all I think it was a couple of well-spent hours.

~ I lost a mitten. A favourite kind of mitten. I'm pretty certain I lost it at the seminar so hopefully I'll get it back.

~ Another day of distinct spring in the air, albeit the morning frost. What a feeling!



~ There was an übercute dog in a window. And the fact that s/he got the hiccups made her/him even cuter. I wish there were more dogs in shop windows, because they can make a day.



~ I had a simple lunch with soy-latte in the window seat of a favourite cafe (the weekend morning breakfast place). It was a lovely way to collect the post-seminar thoughts and get some work done. I loved how surprisingly quiet and peaceful the usually very busy cafe happened to be at lunch time. I also love how the latte heart is still visible when you've finished your coffee. I left a heart behind.

~ Was very visibly reminded of the fact that something great and happy didn't happen this week (it is a public campaign that has sadly not at all been made the most of). But it also strengthened my conviction regarding this matter. This too will be resolved.

~ Rounding the day off with finishing a copywriting assignment. And a good feeling of another job well done.

~ Fresh juice of the day was carrot (surprise!), apple and physalis. I was also reminded by the bobbaloos that such a glass of juice is always best enjoyed with a content matching hat. Next time I will drink the juice wearing a little carrot cap chap's hat. I'm sure that'll heighten the juicy experience.