Hello kind krafters!


This week I want to talk about passions, and the reality of juggling multiple passions and projects. It seems in this day and age that everyone is always busy. Busy with school, with volunteering, work, children, activities, and projects. That busyness has come to define our modern era, and as a result often tends to be seen as a given and therefore goes unquestioned. Feeling busy has for a long time now been part of my life. For the past three years I’ve worked the same job, full time in the summer and 24-30 hours per week through the year. I go to school, having always taken 4-5 classes on top of my work hours. And I volunteer when I can, collecting donations at some Feed Nova Scotia events, raising money for the Ecology Action Centre or helping to plan programs and events for them. This busyness can often leave little time for pleasure and the pursuit of my own passions which exist outside of the cycle of work and school and volunteering. As a I wrote in my last post, a few years ago nature became a way for me to begin to push myself out of this cycle. As nature became a tool to ease me and make me feel more confident and calm, it also sparked within me a desire to move away from a cycle of work and lectures and feeling as though I was just clocking in volunteer hours. As I began to spend more time outside, I also began to realize that I don’t want to spend my life working inside in an office and I don’t want to always feel so busy with activity that does not align with my passions, leaving me little free time to actually pursue my personal goals and desires.

​This summer for me has been an exercise in putting these thoughts and realizations to practice. While I’ve kept my full time hours, I pursued and happily was able to work a schedule that gave me my weekends free. I have also carefully managed my volunteer commitments, focusing more on one-day event support and being very clear in how much time I am able to give to a certain project. As a result, I’ve had a lot of wonderful and fulfilling free time to use and spend as I wish. I’ve written before about my internship project of mapping HRM trails. This is a perfect example of a project that I’ve allowed to take up a large portion of my free personal time, because it is a project that allows me to pursue my passion for the outdoors, fulfills me, and does not feel confining in any way when it comes to completing the work. However, this summer has also involving an effort to make sure I take a bit of time away from this internship project every now and then.

​Another keen passion of mine is kayaking. Living in Nova Scotia, I am almost never more than an hour away from the ocean. Sometimes I take this fact for granted, but I do understand that a part of the person I am and will be something I will very likely always seek out in my life. A few years ago, wanting to be able to engage in water sports a bit more, and hoping to start kayaking in the lake with my dad, I took an introduction to sea kayaking course. This course was the Paddle Canada Basic Skills Course, and was the beginning of my love of paddling. Since that day two summers ago, I’ve kayaked on and off throughout the year, and spent summers heading out on guided sea kayaking excursions at East Coast Outfitters, a local paddling company, as much as my schedule would allow. I’ve been fortunate to experience sunset paddles, half day tours, moonlight tours, coastal ecology tour, and late night lake paddles over the past two years. 

This past weekend on a whim I decided to sign up for the Paddle Canada Level One Skills Course. I had contemplated the course for a while, intending to register, holding off due to cost and the timing demands of my internship project. The Monday before the weekend course began I called in and booked my spot. I love sea kayaking and knew that to allow myself to pursue this passion further, I would need to gain more skills, more confidence, and more knowledge. It was definitely the right decision.

​The course spanned the course of a weekend, involving 7am wake ups, 8.5 hour days spent in the sun and salt, and a couple of tired evenings during which I usually fell asleep with my book open on my lap. But it was also one of the best weekend’s I can remember. I came home excited with the knowledge I had learned and delighted at having spent a full day in the sun and on the ocean. Over the course of the weekend I learned basic navigation skills, paddling strokes, braces, and technique, assisted rescues and self-rescues, and how to feel comfortable and confident on the water.  And I went into my work day on Monday sunburnt and a little stiff, but only wanting more and more. 

Taking time to pursue your passions can be difficult and is not always possible. That being said, the act of doing so is invaluable, and offers a sense of happiness and fulfillment unlike any other.
         I challenge you all to take some time to pursue your passions, and not to be afraid at the multiplicity of your interests. Carve out a half hour to swim or hike, bike, draw, or write a piece of music. And then take a morning to paddle, run, dance, or make jewellery. And as always, don’t forget to tell me all about it!

Stay kind,
Niki

Did you ever grow up knowing exactly what you wanted to be when you were older? Some of us knew right from the get-go while some of us needed a little more time to figure it out. I’m not sure about you, but I’ve pictured myself in almost every dream career possible- endlessly searching for the right fit. I would like to say that I have known exactly what I have wanted to do since I was five, but for me this wasn’t the case. Although I do not have a clear-cut plan, I do know I want to help people. I have always had a passion for health and wellness. Approaching the end of my undergraduate degree, the need to plan for a career is quickly approaching. Owning a practice in my future years is an aspiration of mine.
 
Clear-cut plan or not, I feel like we end up discovering new opportunities, finding interests in things we didn’t always know intrigued us. For me, I want to be an entrepreneur. I want to provide innovative service delivery in health care.
 
I have been lucky, and been able to work with and shadow a number of professionals who started their own business. Seeing them truly enjoy their career has been a future I have always wanted for myself. I want to do what I love and love what I do. The practices I have worked for thus far have been very successful. It is important to note that their success wasn’t instantaneous- in fact it took endless hours and years of dedication and hard work to build their success.

​Seeing the work that goes on behind the scenes of a business is not something that everyone has the opportunity to see first hand- I am very lucky to have had this opportunity. My interest to start my own practice has driven me to start preparing early- accumulating the knowledge and insights I need to construct a successful business plan. Networking is key. The people you make connections with will help support you through your endeavors and will share their experiences to try and help you.
 
Networking can happen anywhere and at any time. I met a successful business couple a year ago that I would like to introduce you to- my boyfriend’s mum, Kimberly and her husband Gary. Getting to know this dynamic duo has been an absolute pleasure. With infectious personalities, Kimberly and Gary are very good at what they do. This power couple possesses traits that I aspire to have in my future years. What do they do?! They are the co-owners of Magnolia House Spa in Waterdown, Ontario.
 
This past weekend I was up at Kimberly and Gary’s cottage. Sitting on the dock sipping on coffee, Gary and Kimberly shared their story with me. Gary, the original founder of the spa put everything he had on the line to bring his vision for the spa into fruition in 2003. Gary wanted to open a business that delivered unique services with the ultimate goal to make people feel their best. With careful attention to detail, Gary was able to coach his team to exceptional customer service delivery- unlike any other spa I have ever been to. This attention to detail, is what Gary feel sets the Magnolia House Spa apart from the competition. I agree with this whole heatedly- it is the details that make an experience extraordinary.

​I was interested to see what an owner’s typical day at the office looked like. Gary’s day normally consists of paperwork. That’s right… lots and lots of paper work. Owner’s are responsible for almost, if not all, the behind the scene tasks and responsibilities. In fact, Gary said he relies on his team to be the face of the business.
 
Kimberly explained that motivating a team to contribute their best efforts, coaching a team to value the work they do, and providing attainable goals for staff to reach are all apart of an owners daily responsibilities. Speaking from experience, Kimberly and Gary emphasized the importance to not underestimate the effort that the owners put into their business. They spoke about the struggles that owners face on a daily basis. I will spare us the details of this list, but it sure was a lot longer than I ever thought!
 
After trying to fathom the amount of risks owners need to take to be successful, it was clear to me how challenging owning a business could be. I am not much of a risk taker myself, so I know this is something I will have to work on. 

​With my past experience as well as hearing Kimberly and Gary’s story, I started to notice that many owners are challenged when it comes to separating their work from their daily lives. Kimberly said that it is imperative to check in and make sure that “you are running the business and that the business isn’t running you.”
 
It was insightful speaking with Gary and Kimberly as they explained how being owners of a business comes with its unique challenges. They were honest and explained that owning a business is not always as luxurious as people anticipate it to be. You have to be willing to make sacrifices for the perks.
 
Gary and Kimberly were excited to share the perks of being entrepreneurs. Gary shared that since their first opening day 14 years ago, a number of the original staff and clients are still with them today. This is uncommon in this industry and Gary feels it speaks volume of their business etiquette. Kimberly explained further that loyalty from staff and clients develops from good communication, treating people with respect, and transparency. 

​Gary and Kimberly devote a number of hours on a regular basis connecting with and mentoring their staff. They invest in their employees. Kimberly feels that it is important to take the time to find the employees’ different strengths and find them the role that is best suited for them. This makes for a successful team.
 
My favourite point that Gary and Kimberly highlighted was the importance of owners to lead by example. They explained that their success has come from holding themselves accountable to the same expectations that they hold their staff to. Kimberly said that staff members respect owners and management when they are held to equal standards. I am sure that any of you that have worked for a business (of any size) can agree with this!
 
I am so grateful for the insights Kimberly and Gary were able to give me. Their honesty has made me aware of the challenges I may face in the future. These challenges are intimidating but it is comforting to see that these challenges were not able to defeat these entrepreneurs. 

​I smiled when Gary shared, “it is gratifying to make something out of nothing.” What an amazing feeling that must be. Gary was able to transform an idea into a successful business with loyal clients and hard-working staff. Gary is a living example that to become a prosperous entrepreneur, you must possess patience and resiliency.
 
Kimberly and Gary are dedicated to improving the spa wherever they can. Gary says he sees that the spa could be more involved in the community. He would like to improve that spa’s charitable work. Gary and Kimberly shared some touching stories of past fundraisers that were held by the spa. Kimberly described the connection with clients as the most rewarding part of her job. She is constantly amazed to see that clients reciprocate the support that the spa staff provides to them. Something that isn’t common in the service industry.
 
Gary was able to make his dream his everyday life. With great resiliency and devotion, Kimberly and Gary have been able to create a lifestyle that many of us dream to have. I respect them both immensely after seeing just a snapshot of the work it takes to get to where they are. As an aspiring entrepreneur, I am comforted knowing that with hard work and a clear vision, starting a business is possible. 

Thank you Kimberly and Gary for sharing your knowledge and advice. Seeing your success is inspiring not only to me but to other future entrepreneurs. Thank you for leading by example- the Magnolia House Spa is a business I will always support, as I know your workers are treated with the upmost respect. Congratulations on the 14th year anniversary of Magnolia House Spa- I cannot wait for my next treatment!
 
Stay kind always,
 
Annie 

Hello kind krafters,

            As you may know from my last few blog posts, I spend a lot of time outdoors. For me, the outdoors is my happy place. It’s where I am most content, most relaxed, least self-conscious, and least anxious. It’s where I go when I’m upset, confused, overwhelmed, and excited. And it’s also where I spend a lot of time alone by myself.
            This started back a few years ago, in my second year of university. I moved out of my childhood home a half hour outside of the city, and into an apartment close to school. The change was a little jarring, made worse by a bed bug scare and eventually having to leave the building after it was deemed unfit for residents post flooding from a flash freeze. During this time I dealt with a lot of discomfort and insecurity, while at the same time experiencing a flood of independence. I needed a way to boost my mood and push myself out of the pattern of only doing school work and sitting on my apartment couch, or going home all weekend, only to return to an apartment I needed to clean, clothes I had to unpack, and school work I needed to finish. So I made a New Year’s resolution to spend more time outside, and capped it off by waking myself up at 5am to head to Point Pleasant Park and watch the sunrise on the beach. That morning was the beginning of my love for nature, and my quest to spend as much of my time free and happy within its beauty as I possibly can.

​Alongside of this new found love, came the difficulty of always being able to find a friend or family member to trek into the woods in the snow or cold or early morning or muggy day with me. Meaning that I was increasingly faced with the question or do I go alone or do I just not go at all. Early on I knew that the choice of not going at all wouldn’t work out in the long run. Nature made me happier, it made me feel better and look better, easing some of my self-conscious thoughts and anxieties. So I went alone.
            For years I now I have go into the woods alone on a regular basis, hiking on weekends or in short spurts after work or classes, or waking up early to stand-up-paddle alone in the early hours of summer days. Most of my weekends throughout the year are spent hiking, and majority of the time I do it alone. If a friend or family member can come I’m happy to have the company. But if they can’t, I don’t allow it to deter my plans. 

I was raised not to let myself think that being a woman meant I could do less or be less. So when I decided to start going into the wild alone, I never felt it was something I could not and should not do. The generally assumed limitations society often sees as imposed by my gender were not something I was born with nor raised to believe. They were something taught to me by an outside world, that I have always struggled, and mostly succeeded, to refuse to accept.
           When I go into the woods by myself I don’t see it as an admirable act or something inspiring, because I don’t see my ability to be alone outside as any different from that of a man or another woman. Being a woman, and even being a tiny woman, does not make me incapable or less able to be outside by myself.

​But I also know that it is something that it is not always seen that way. When I pass people alone on the trail I often get concerned and interested looks. When I camp alone I always see a pause before a reaction when I tell people I am a party of one. In Cape Breton when I told the attendants I was alone, I got a concerned “Oh” and was given a lovely camp spot that was both open and close to the family sites and secluded enough to give me privacy. In Prince Edward Island, I was told to be safe and drive safe by park attendants. I met an older man with children my age who told me how worried he was when his daughter was alone, then offered his empty trailer for me to stay in if I got rained out over the weekend. In all of my experiences alone in the outdoors, I have never felt so uncomfortable or endangered that I didn’t know what to do or how to get turn around and head back to my car. I have never been threatened or harmed. I have always received kindness, even if laced with concern and uncertainty for my safety and ability to stay safe. 

​I am grateful for my experiences and understand not every woman feels the same, nor is it guaranteed I always will. But I know that my ability to be alone outside, to have these experiences in nature, is not lesser because I am a woman, nor should it be viewed as less of a possibility. Being a woman does not mean I cannot camp alone, hike alone, backpack alone, or be alone. It does not mean I need extra care and concern when it comes to choosing my campsite or staying dry in my tent when it rains. My outdoor adventures require as much preparation, knowledge, and skill as any other person. I still carry a couple of knives in case of animals and for opening my food at camp. I still have to set up my tarps properly to keep my tent dry. I still sometimes can’t get my fire started, or bring too little water on a hike, because, like everyone, I am still constantly learning and making mistakes. And my gender will never determine my ability to continue to learn and thrive in the outdoors, mostly alone and always happy.

I challenge you all to go for it alone. Take a hike, a bike ride, a camping trip, or go to a movie or a restaurant. Be happy alone with your wonderful and beautiful self, and know that you can do anything you are willing to put the time into understanding and working for.

Stay kind,
One Wild Woman <3
(Niki)

Hello kind friends,
 
I would like to think of myself as invincible- a person untouchable by sickness. However, I have come to accept that this isn’t the case. We all get sick it’s inevitable. Today I am writing to you sick from my bed.
 
I confess, I started my day feeling sorry for myself. I woke up congested, with muscle aches and a sore throat. As the day went on, I noticed that feeling sorry for myself wasn’t making me feel any better. This inspired me to write this week’s blog on tips and tricks to make yourself feel better when you are not invincible.

Tip 1: Take a shower.
Trick 1: This always works for me. I sprinkle Epsom salts and some essential oils onto the shower floor. These two products work as a remedy when they evaporate with the steam in the shower. This helps clear my congestion and helps me breathe more deeply.
 
Tip 2: Open your blinds
Trick 2: I know you don’t want to do it but the natural light and fresh air can really help. I find opening my blinds makes me feel happier and makes me feel less like a bear in hibernation. Seeing the sun shining helps brighten my mood and inspires me to feel better so I can get back outside. 

Tip 3: Take the rest you need
Trick 3: I find resting to be the hardest part of being sick. I am not a fan of spending my day in bed. However, rest is a key component to healing. Your body needs a chance to mend what is sick and reenergize for the days ahead. To help me rest, I use some sleepy time cream (lavender and vanilla based). Using this cream calms me down and regulates my breathing. By being calmer I am able to fall asleep more easily and stay rested for longer periods of time- giving my body a chance to fully heal.
 
Tip 4: Oil of Oregano
Trick 4: I suggest diluting a few drops of oil into a bottle of room temperature water. For those of you have not tried this before, you might enjoy mixing it with juice instead of water, as the flavour can be intense for some individuals. I have grown to enjoy oil of oregano in my water since I drink so much of it when I am at school in the attempts to stay healthy. It is good practice to use oil of oregano as soon as the initial symptoms begin. I find I feel better after one day of using oil of oregano. It is also a great preventative measure. 

Tip 5: Lots of fluids!
Trick 5: I find homemade ginger honey tea is one of my favourites when I am sick. It provides me with energy that I feel I did not have. It is gentle and soothing for stomach aches and helps with digestion. I cut up some ginger boil it in a small pot of water and add honey and lemon for taste. Make sure you drink lots of water too when you are sick. I find keeping a reusable water bottle close by encourages me to drink and refill more water than if I were drinking out of a glass or disposable water bottle. My mum taught me to write positive words on the outside of my water bottle. This is a great way to keep yourself positive when you are sick. Other things like your favourite stickers or decals can be another fun way to send positive messages to your brain as you drink your water.
 
Tip 6: Put on your favourite movie
Trick 6: Put on one of your favourite movies. I find that my favourite movies make me laugh and smile which can be hard to do when I am feeling so lousy. Movies can also make the time in bed feel like it is going by faster. Some movies can be a great way to help you fall back to sleep. 

Tip 7: Talk to the people you are close with
Trick 7: Talking to the people who bring me joy always help me feel better. Whether it’s a neutering parent, a kind sibling, or a caring partner, surrounding yourself by people who care about your well being will always help. My support network always seem to know the right thing to say to make me feel like I can beat whatever cold comes my way. Who is your support network?
 
Tip 8: Brush your teeth frequently
Trick 8: Keeping a fresh mouth helps me feel clean and less sick. I don’t know about you, but I cannot stand the feeling of a ‘cold mouth’. Keeping a fresh mint taste helps me control nausea and makes me feel more put together.

Tip 9: Stretch
Trick 9: I find when I am sick I get the worst muscle aches. These aches make me feel tired and weak. I find that doing a slow circuit of gentle yoga poses help me relieve pain. Stretching out these aches help me rest more peacefully.
 
Tip 10: Be kind
Trick 10: Be kind to yourself. Understand that your body needs a chance to get better. Try your best to reduce stress, breathe deeply, and rest when possible. Tell yourself positive messages of how great you will feel tomorrow instead of dreading the next few days ahead. Being kind to myself makes a big difference in my recovery time. 

​Although I would prefer not to get sick, I find that when I do get sick it is a chance for my body to reset. I find I replenish my nutrients and start up good habits again. I am excited to return to my apartment in the fall and grow some plants that I can use as remedies to maintain good health. I have been reading this book called Medicinal Plants at Home by Maria Transito Lopez Luengo and Carlota Manez Ariso. This book unpacks the effectiveness of using plants as natural remedies and provides readers with recipes and instructions on how to grow and use the various plants. I cannot wait to plant some of my own at my apartment and expand my knowledge on natural remedies. 

​ I am excited to feel better soon. I hope all you kind krafters are healthy and enjoying your summer. If any of you have remedies you use when you are sick I would love to give them a try.
 
Stay kind and healthy!
Annie 

Hello kind krafters!
 
Over the last month and a half I have been steadily spending my free time, in the evenings after work and on weekends, hiking, walking, and mapping trails in the Halifax Regional Municipality as part of my sustainability internship. Most of my work so far has focused on mapping the variety of short walking trails that exist here, completing trails most evenings during the week. Not only has this helped me cross off half of the trails on my list to complete, it also makes me feel better. Spending a full day at work, and then a few hours outdoors, helps to improve my mood, relax me, and makes me sleep better. The power of nature is incredible, and I have always known that spending more time outdoors makes me happier, healthier, and nicer. Part of my desire to complete this project is to provide residents and visitors to the HRM the tools and information to use nature positively and safely to similarly impact their lives. Below is a mini-guide of some of the trails I have completed that are perfect for those looking to start spending more time outdoors, or need a quick nature fix after a long day at work or on a busy weekend. 

​Located in Clayton Park, Belcher’s Marsh is a beautiful escape from the city. The trail circles Big and Little Belcher’s marshes, with quiet pathways through the woods. The area has a small look-off perfect for reading and sunset views, and does feature some street crossings to connect the two marsh routes. The area is also an excellent spot for bird-watching.

​Frog Pond Nature trail is located off of Purcell’s Cove Road and is part of the Sir Sandford Flemming Park nature trails. The trail guides visitors around Frog Pond, offering a short and quiet wilderness adventure. The pond is perfect for swimming on warm days, and is used for skating in the winter months. Families of ducks can be seen here regularly. 

Mainland Common Loop and Linear trail are both located in Clayton Park, Nova Scotia. The Linear trail extends all through Clayton park, offering a fairly quiet multi-use pathway frequented by a variety of bird species. Along the pathway visitors can detour to Mainland Common Park, featuring a baseball field and dog park, as well as the mini Mainland Common loop trail, which offers a short woodchip pathway through the surrounding woods.

​Fox Lake trail is a short wilderness hike through the Blue Mountain Birch Cove Wilderness Area in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia. The trail ventures through the woods and over rocky look-off points, to the main look-off over Fox Lake. The site offers incomparable views of the Blue Mountain Birch Cove area, and is short enough to accommodate most levels of recreationalists and supervised children. 

​Hemlock Ravine Park is a perfect escape from traffic and the busy city. Located in Bedford the park offers numerous short looping trails with giant old growth trees. There’s even a secret look off with views of the Bedford Basin below!

​Mainland Common Loop and Linear trail are both located in Clayton Park, Nova Scotia. The Linear trail extends all through Clayton park, offering a fairly quiet multi-use pathway frequented by a variety of bird species. Along the pathway visitors can detour to Mainland Common Park, featuring a baseball field and dog park, as well as the mini Mainland Common loop trail, which offers a short woodchip pathway through the surrounding woods. 

​SS Atlantic Heritage park is a short boardwalk trail located in Prospect, Nova Scotia. The site of a historic shipwreck the short trail is excellent for sunsets and short escapes to the ocean. In the summer tours are held, and there are a number of spots to stop and sit to read, watch the ocean, or have a snack. 

​Located in Eastern Shore, MacCormack’s beach trail is a short boardwalk loop offering views of Fishermen’s Cove. The trail offers incomparable sunset views, along with beach access, water access for swimming and fishing, and proximity to a nearby old-school candy store!

​Located in the Herring Cove Provincial Park, the Herring Cove Bluffs are a gorgeous and short trek along the ocean. Offering views of the Atlantic Ocean, along with wilderness paths and wildflowers, the trail is hard to beat. Best part is you can easily stray form the trail and do some rock hopping and exploring, without getting lost!

​Located in the Ravines of Bedford, Cabin Lake and Fleetview trail are two adjoining short gravel trails that wind through the woods, alongside Cabin and Fleet lake. The area is quiet and relatively unused, and offers views of numerous wildflower species and wildlife such as ducks and deer. 

Oak Hill lake trail is a tiny lakeside out and back trail located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The trail winds behind residential houses along Oat Hill lake. A variety of wild flowers can be seen along the trail, which is frequented by swimmers and recreational fishers in the summer months. 

Susie’s Lake loop is a short hiking trail located in the Blue Mountain Birch Cove Wilderness Area. The loop begins behind the Kent Bulding Supplies store, works it’s way into the heart of the wilderness area, and takes visitors to a central look-off offering gorgeous views of the whole of Susie’s lake. It is an ideal place for sunset views and lakeside swims in the summer, and is the perfect remedy when you only have a short amount of time, but want to do a wilderness hike.
 
Now It’s Your Turn

I hope this mini guide encouraged you all to get out and explore, and know that there are many ways to be outside, even if your time or ability is limited. If you live here in the HRM, please reach out and let me know if you’ve done any of these trails and share your trail experiences with me! For those of you outside the HRM, tell me about what your home has to offer!
 
As always, Stay Kind <3

Niki
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