Organizations

Santa Fe Book Arts Group
(SF BAG)
A broad community of art enthusiasts supporting innovative interpretations of books. Meetings are held online and hybrid in-person/online meetings. Continuous collaborative projects and information on exhibitions, calls for book art and print entries, and other relevant materials are available.
santafeBAG.org

Be sure to check out the Creative Resources page on their website.

We Grow Eco
A younger organization focused on our relationship with the environment through interactive programs (including making paper & books from recycled cloth & print materials).
wegroweco.org

Libros
LIBROS is New Mexico’s Book Arts Guild for traditional and experimental artists’ books. Regular meetings are held in Albuquerque, New Mexico are held on the first Saturday of the month. Libros also has annual and special exhibits.
librosnm.org

Online Supplies

Bookbinding & Studio Equipment

Talas
Everything for bookbinding from papers, tools, and studio equipment to book cloth and leather for covers
https://www.talasonline.com/bookbinding-supplies

Hollanders
A complete bookbinding source, including complete kits, pastes, tools, book presses, and even brass folding strips (which I covet and have had on my Giftster list since I saw them).
https://hollanders.com/collections/bookbinding-supplies

MyBinding
Assorted modern binding equipment for non-traditional publications, plus supplies, papers, and refurbished machines like guillotine cutters
https://www.mybinding.com/

Dick Blick
All things art-related! The sales are great! (Better thanAmazon! You know you are getting good quality and not knock-offs.)
https://www.dickblick.com/

Paper Guide

Here’s a brief introduction to paper weights and type for commercial and book text printing in PDF format. Click here to download.

This is a link to an excellent and fairly exhaustive guide to art papers. Art papers are considerably different, and often more expensive, than commercial and book text papers.

Frugal Artist Tip

Making mockups, testing, and proofingconcepts and ideas before risking the expensive paper saves money and reduces frustration. Bulk buying newsprint, either in sheets, tablets, or rolls is great for sketching, testing, and proofing. Saving “failed” pieces or misprints is also great for testing and proofing.

Paper Sources: A Non-Exhaustive List

A big thanks to SFCC Instructor Rebecca Bradshaw for allowing me to re-post the list provided to her LetterPress 101 students. I will update it soon with some decorative paper resources.

There are many sources of paper, and this list isn’t meant to cover them all. When searching for paper for letterpress, prints, or some other form of bookmaking, look for light cardstock or text paper, which weighs approximately 70lb to 90lb. You can press print on many different types of paper, anything from paper bags to Tyvek and beyond.

Frugal Artist Tip

Before investing in an expensive paper order, invest in the paper swatch books or packets first. Several businesses below, like Talas & Letterpress, offer these useful items. If you don’t like the paper when you see the swatches, you can also use the sample for a small project. Also, if you see something you love but can’t swing the price, ask if anyone else wants to share in a purchase. Large sheets can always be torn or cut into smaller ones, and paper packs can be divided.

French Paper: An excellent letterpress paper with many colors, a variety of finishes, large and small sizes
https://www.frenchpaper.com

Takach Paper: Both sheets and rolls. 10-sheet minimum order. You can pick up your order in ABQ and save shipping. Go to the website and click to get the price sheet.
https://www.takachpaper.com

Neenah Paper: Print-weight cotton paper in lots of colors and finishes, as well as many other papers for various printing and creative uses
https://www.neenahpaper.com/brands/neenah-cotton#brandbooks

Letterpress Paper: As the name implies, they offer papers appropriate for letterpress and printing in a variety of colors and paper types
https://www.letterpresspaper.com

As mentioned, Talas offers many art papers appropriate for bookbinding, letterpress, and printing.
https://www.talasonline.com/bookbinding-supplies

And, of course, Dick Blick. Pretty much whatever your artistic or printing needs, Dick Blick will have something for you.https://www.dickblick.com

The two papers below are nice for printing books
Arches Text Wove 120LB
Cranes Lettra

If you are looking for stores from a local craft supply store, please use Michael’s if you are concerned at all about what causes your money supports.

Online Bookstores

Amazon owns Abebooks.com & Alibris. For those who do not want to support the “Evil Empire,” here are some alternatives (alphabetically).

Half Price Books
https://www.hpb.com/
Now a small-ish chain in various cities based in Dallas, Texas, it has a central site for inventory (so books may be shipped from different stores and arrive at different dates) and often has very good prices.

Powell’s Books
https://www.powells.com/
Last of the great independents. Takes up several blocks of Portland, OR. New & used. Prices vary.

Thriftbooks
https://www.thriftbooks.com/
New & Used. Has its own warehouse & acts as an Amazon alternative for independent booksellers. Often, the best prices. Ships from various locations, so not all books may arrive at the same time

Santa Fe Bookstores & Resources

Santa Fe has an enviable feast of bookstores. Many ship. Here are some of my favorites.

New Books (alphabetically)

Barnes & Noble
4250 Cerrillos Rd, Unit 1214 (Rodeo & Cerrillos Mall), Santa Fe, NM
Not just books! Wrapping paper, arts & craft supplies, kits, & ideas for book design. Free rewards program.

Collected Works
202 Galiesteo St., Santa Fe, New Mexico (Downtown area, near Water Street parking)
New books, plus coffee shop & art(!). Also, handles book orders.
collectedworksbookstore.com/

Garcia Books
376 Garcia St., Santa Fe, NM
Great fine art & local books, local artists’ cards, next to Downtown Subscription coffeehouse & Canyon Road.
garciastreetbooks.com/

Museum Bookstores!
Usually, a discount with a museum membership

Used Books (alphabetically)

Big Star Books & Music
329 Garfield St. (near Railyard), Santa Fe, NM
Eclectic, quality books & music.
https://www.bigstarbooks.com/

Book Mountain
1302 Osage Ave., Unit A, Santa Fe, NM
Used books for every taste & interest. New owner, a very friendly atmosphere.

Books of Interest
1333 Cerrillos Road (near Counter Culture Coffeehouse & Baca), Santa Fe, NM
Good quality books, reasonable prices, pleasant atmosphere

op.cit. books
157 Paseo de Peralta (Vargas Mall), Santa Fe, NM
Tons of great books @ good prices. Occasionally, other items like cards, posters, gift wrap.

Friends of the Library Bookstore
Great books @ cheap prices; ask about unsellable books & check out the free cart and magazine rack.
Main Library Bookstore, 
145 Washington Avenue, Santa Fe, NM (Downtown)

Southside Library Bookstore, 
6599 Jaguar Drive, Santa Fe, NM

Physical Resources

Student Resources Supply Room #707A, Santa Fe Community College:
Miscellaneous donations, from books to ink to paper scraps to anything. (For SFCC art students)
Resourceful Santa Fe
2879A Industrial Road 
(off of Siler Road), Santa Fe, NM
Hoarding for artists! Artists (and their heirs) donate supplies for any art, craft, or studio, plus inspirational chaos.
 You never know what yo will find — but you will find something.
Open each Tuesday from 1:30-4:00
 or call Sarah (505-603-0558).
www.resourcefulsantafe.com/

Artisans Santa Fe
2601 Cerrillos Road
, Santa Fe, NM
Art supplies, including book arts
www.artisansantafe.com

Thrift Stores
Some of my Santa Fe favorites include:
The Cat South
2750 Camino Estrada (bigger space than The Cat, which features clothing), Santa Fe, NM
Lots of furniture, household goods, pet supplies, art, jewelry, and much more! Please help support the SF Humane Society and their spay/neuter program.

The Horse Shelter — Our Resale Store
821 W. San Mateo Rd, Unit A, Santa Fe, NM
In the same center as Chocolate Maven & within walking distance of Kakawa Chocolate House! Usually, it has a plethora of baskets, plates, serving dishes, and even printers. An excellent resource for the frugal studio.
https://thehorseshelter.org/store/

Kitchenality
1222 Siler Road, Santa Fe, NM
A kitchen and cooking resale store supporting Kitchen Angels and their meal programs. Not only beautiful and useful things for the kitchen and table, but lots of interesting mark-making tools, storage, and organizational ideas.

How’s that working for you?

No, seriously. The holiday season, the often busiest time of year, is an excellent time to assess what’s working — and not working — in your planning and scheduling strategy. Also, there are lots of new journals, planners, and productivity apps launched or on sale during this time. Keep your eyes open for something that might be a better fit.

But I wouldn’t recommend starting a new system right now. Save that for the New Year. The last thing you need is juggling the stress of a learning curve or changing a habit when you’re already overloaded. Plus you’re willpower is often at it’s lowest this time of year. All those Black Friday and Holiday ads are timed to take advantage of our diminished willpower, especially on social media. Knowledge is power. If you are going to try and make a change this season, limit your time online. Only check your social media when you are feeling strong and fresh, not exhausted and needing a break.

Match Your Planning System to Your Goals & Lifestyle

Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? But before you change your planning and scheduling method, make sure the new technique really addresses the actual problem you’re trying to solve. Are you just finding another way to procrastinate or engage in shopping therapy? Or does the new system genuinely improve on your current methods? For example, if you feel you spend too much time organizing your schedule now, then don’t switch to the Bullet Journaling method. On the other hand, if you’re looking to combine journaling and planning and dig deeper into your goals, or you want to incorporate more creative expression into your planning, then the Bullet Journal may be the answer.

Live on your phone but keep missing dates or running late? Look at integrating your notifications and an online calendar/scheduler. Throw in a productivity app like Evernote, and you’ve got a complete system in your pocket. I confess I’m an organization and planner addict. At one time I knew the entire Franklin Planner system catalog by heart — and still spent a lot of time customizing mine. Now I don’t know what I’d do without my digital calendar flagging me at least twice before an appointment or event. However, I still like the feel and flexibility of paper and pen, so I do my Priority Planning Process on Post-Its. Then I stick the Post-It on my phone case.

I’m also a big fan of Moleskine. Earlier this year I purchased their weekly planner with great intentions. I’d use it to plot weekly goals and action steps as well as my appointments. There are exactly two weeks of notes in it. Since I carry a journal with me to catch my thoughts and events throughout the day I didn’t carry the planner. I would have needed a forklift to carry my bag. Lesson learned, Sunk Cost accepted.

The key is to identify what is working for you now, your Bright Spots. Find a system that increases that success while integrating solutions to any problems. Like not actually carrying your weekly planner. I bought a pocket planner to try for next year so I can see the big picture. I’ve also torn out all the bits I don’t need like the world maps. Make your planning system work for you. Don’t simply work the planner.

What are your planning and scheduling success — and problems?

When you get a chance, let me know in the comments.

Happy Holidays!

Don’t Let the Turkeys Get You Down This Holiday Season!

Do you feel overwhelmed during the Holiday Season?  With all the things you feel you MUST or SHOULD do on top of all the things you regularly feel you MUST or SHOULD do (not to mention what you believe you MUST or SHOULD feel!), it can easily happen. And often there are additional pressures such as end-of-year demands at work or family or finances. Here are 5 actions you can take to reduce the stress and make your Holiday Season better. (And, yes, there are some things you can do with your website and social media listed at the end of the post, so keep reading even if you are a Scrooge.)

1. Make a List — and Check It Twice

If Santa Clause needs to make a list, you certainly do. Shortly after I married I discovered that my habit of getting up every morning and making a list of things I needed or wanted to do that day drove my spouse nuts. Did I stop making lists? Nope. I just did it before he got up. There have been periods, however, where I felt I was too busy to make my list. And the results was physical, emotional and organizational disaster. My stress levels increased drastically as I found myself having to fix errors or backtrack because of things forgotten. Having a list — of things to do, to pack, to buy, et al — is a more efficient use of your mind and your energies, allowing you to focus on the goals and relax more knowing you don’t have to try and remember everything.

The bonus is that you get an endorphin rush each time you are able to cross-off or eliminate items on your list! The keys to effective list making is to prioritize & keep it flexible by allowing yourself stretch room. This applies no matter what kind of list: to do, to pack or to buy.

To prioritize, first simply make your list. Next review your list and decide which are the top 3 items are the most important things on the list, these are things that will have the greatest effect on your ultimate goals. Label the most important A1, the next A2, and the last A3. Now determine what are the next most important items on the list and label them accordingly B1, B2, B3, etc. Try to limit yourself to no more than 6 items for A, B, C or D categories, and really you should have no more than 3-4 A items. If you are concerned about missing a higher priority item amongst all the C and D items, don’t hesitate re-copy the list putting the A items at the top so you can’t miss them. Or alternatively, highlight the A items in some way. Along with big, bold A1, A2 and A3, I often underline or star these items so they really stand out on my list and remind me how truly important they are.

Remember, importance is based on critical need towards achieving one of your larger goals. For example, for Thanksgiving Dinner the entree, usually turkey, is pretty darn important, so your grocery list would have the turkey as A1. And if you wanted to order a special non-frozen, vegetarian-fed, antibiotic-free, free-range turkey, you probably would have “Order turkey” as an A priority on your To Do list several days or weeks before Thanksgiving. (Or maybe you have “Make Thanksgiving Reservations” as an A priority because relaxing on your one day off to focus on spending time with your family is more important to your Life Goals than cooking all day…)

Finally, be flexible and include some stretch into your list. We’ve all experienced that panic when we find something we thought would take only a few moments expands to take up a large chunk of our day. Or we’ve gotten to the store only to discover that something special on sale that would bring bigger smiles and greater pleasure. So you shouldn’t schedule every minute (even if you are an attorney or accountant) nor should you consider your list carved in stone. Always assess list against your larger purpose and adjust your list(s) accordingly.

Speaking of scheduling…

2. Take Time to Calm Your Mind

On your To Do list, don’t forget to schedule some time for a bit of mindfulness whether it’s 5- or 15-minutes of meditation, prayer, mindful walking, or simply reflecting on what is happening inside you and around you. Actually, this is a great way to reduce your stress and re-gain control over your mind and your actions whenever you find yourself caught up in a holiday frenzy. Whether it’s an eating, rushing or shopping frenzy, the sense of urgency and pressure should be a signal that you need to slow down, take a deep breath, reflect upon your priorities and larger goals and ask yourself if your current actions are in line with those goals. Even pausing for a deep breath or two has been found beneficial to reducing blood pressure, anxiety and stress.

If you having trouble taking time to reflect, set an alarm on your watch or phone that acts as a reminder at least once or twice a day. Or schedule the time on your calendar, especially useful if you receive calendar notifications on screen.

Take just 15-minutes before or after work (or even during lunch) to close your eyes, sit quietly — possibly with headphones on with peaceful music or sounds — and focus on your breathing, the tension in your neck, shoulders or elsewhere, and thoughts streaming through your mind. Perhaps you might want to imagine a peaceful, calm location or image that brings you joy.

3. Focus on Your Life Goals and the Bigger Picture

If you are wanting to save money for college or retirement or pay off your debt (and especially if you worry about basics like rent), is that 55” HD TV really moving you towards that goal? Is it really a “bargain” if you end up paying 15% interest on your credit card debt for another month or two? If your larger goal is increasing your spirituality and living your faith, check that your focus doesn’t end up on outward signs of religion or commercialization of your faith. If your Life Goal is to have a happy, healthy family, is the stress and conflict of high-pressure shopping (or decorating) working towards the goal? If your goal is to make a significant contribution in your life, would you do better to buy a dinner with all the trimmings and focus more on your work rather than spend hours gathering recipes, buying groceries and preparing a holiday dinner? Or would charity work and contributions during the season be more in line with your larger goals?

It’s easy to lose sight of your goals during the holiday blitz of social pressure to become Martha or Jimmy Stewart, so find ways to remind yourself of those larger goals and determine how you can celebrate the season in a way that fits within your own purpose and desires.

Techniques for Keeping Your Goals in Mind This Holiday Season

• Write your larger goals on the top of your lists (you are making lists now, right?).
• Find a Holiday Buddy and check in daily (or at least weekly) to make certain you both stay on track of the larger purpose.
• Place Post-Its with those goals where you will see them throughout the day.
• Create your own motivational posters even.

One woman I know created a custom wallpaper for her phone and computer screen that was a collage of things representing her larger goals as well as key words. Every time she felt pressured to pledge to bake a batch of cookies instead of succumbing to her cultural expectations, she paid a start-up catering business to do the baking. She helped another woman entrepreneur directly with the order (and indirectly by spreading the word about the business and its delicious work) which matched her personal life goal of helping other business women succeed. Since the caterer was a single mother, she got a double rush of satisfaction for also fulfilling her goal to help other single mothers like herself. And finally, with all the time saved she found more time to spend with her daughter and focus on increasing her own business sales. All in all, she had one of the best holiday seasons in her adult life.

4. Focus on the Positive!

When we feel pressured and overwhelmed we tend to focus even more strongly on the negative, especially when we’re told we should be happy and joyful. Add the problem of sugar rushes and crashes, excess salt and possibly alcohol flooding our bodies, and is it any wonder why emotional and psychological problems surge during the Holiday Season?It takes at least 3 positive thoughts to break the hold of negativity. Biologically we are geared to focus on potential threats so we need to make an effort to keep the positive in mind.

Techniques for Developing a Positive Attitude — Even During the Holiday Season

• When you find yourself speaking or thinking negatively, quickly stop and think of at least 3 things that you are grateful for.
• Keep a Joy Log. Either online or in a journal, make note each day of at least 3 things you are grateful for or 3 positive things that have happened that day.
• Do at least 3 Acts of Kindness each day and note the pleasure they give you — and the joy they give others. This can be as simple as giving a Shout-Out recognizing someones achievement on social media, paying forward for someone in line at the coffee shop, holding the door for anther harried shopper or providing treats for your co-workers. (I almost wrote “healthy treats” but, hey, it’s the Holidays. If your co-workers are the kind who actually appreciate a veggie platter instead of another plate of cookies, terrific. Remember, we build relationships by thinking about the needs and desires of our target audience… Ever get a holiday gift that is obviously something the other person likes but you have absolutely no use for? How did you feel about that person?)
• Instead of the usual Advent or Hanukkah Calendar, why not create a Blessings Calendar and write down at least one thing you are thankful or grateful for in your life for each day of the Holiday Season?

And don’t forget to remind yourself that this will all pass — and far more quickly than we expect. So make note and revel in all the joy of the season and accept the inconveniences knowing they will be gone soon.

5. Use Your Website, Email & Social Media Effectively

And now for some business-related tips. Despite what some businesses believe (yes, I’m talking to you Paypal, Amazon and Costco), inundating our target audience with a blizzard of promotions obviously for our own benefit doesn’t really win friends — or clients. But it is the best time of year to keep in touch.

Make certain your information is up-to-date and accurate.

If your website hasn’t been updated for awhile, now is the time to do so. Let customers and clients know of any seasonal sales, specials or events coming up. Also let them know of any changes you’ve made to the business such as adding new products or services, new staff.

Check that your location, contact information, hours of operation, and other information necessary to make it easy for your target audience to do business with you is easy to find (preferably “above-the-fold”).

If this isn’t your busy season, use this time to provide updated information such as frequently asked questions from the previous season or tips for preparing for the upcoming season. For example, landscape and gardening services often post tips on winterizing plants or caring for poinsettias. Perhaps you’ve had an epiphany about your industry and your clients or customers best interests. Share it. Or take this time to answer some the ten most frequently asked questions (like the after Christmas Return Policy) or dispel the most common myths.

Stay Positive.

If you are a tax accountant or bookkeeper, you may want to remind folks that tax time is coming. Absolutely appropriate. But there’s a right and wrong way to do it. Instead of just sending a reminder to your clients that tax time is coming (always a bummer at the holidays), be a bit more subtle and maybe send a note reminding your clients that since we tend to be more generous this time of year, they should remember to keep track and receipts of all of their donations — including those impulse donations at check out stands — by simply dropping the receipts into a file or even small gift bag by their desks. (I suddenly realized my pet shop and grocery store had marked my donations on my sales receipts with a note to keep them for tax purposes, and when I added them up I discovered I’d already made $100 in donations! Those small amounts add up quickly.)

Retailers might want to provide a few tips to help customers reduce their own stress at this time of year, such as keeping gift receipts in one location in case someone needs to make a return or taking frequent breaks while shopping to rehydrate and rest their minds and their feet. Or you may want to offer up some suggestions like adding a pack of rechargeable batteries or a battery recharger with those electronic gifts to make certain it is truly a gift and not a money-draining burden on the parents.

Think about the holidays from your customer or clients point of view and then offer up some helpful ideas. Restaurants might want to offer a Shopper’s Special Take-Away that includes a complete family meal for the harried. Or maybe hiring some extra staff to handle calls or improve checkout if you know you’re going to be busy. Then make certain you tell your audience about these useful (and thoughtful) benefits. I once worked with a small business that offered free delivery during the holiday season. The business owner grumbled that it wasn’t helping sales. A quick survey of the rest of the class made it clear a) it was a great feature that many class members would use but b) no one knew he offered it because he hadn’t promoted it!

Take this time to say Thank You!

It’s the time of year when we should be counting our blessings and thinking of — and thanking — others. Now if you can add a personal note and signature (even if it’s written by your assistant), a note that shows this is indeed about that person (perhaps a mention of the services rendered that year or a remark about the accomplishments of the clients or their children), this can be a wonderful way of building your relationship. For the more technically-oriented, consider individual Shout-Outs on social media. And don’t for the value of photos or videos of the past year’s events with images of happy clients, customers or staff.

One lovely alternative to spending money on mass produced holiday cards, that make little impact except to have to be recycled or trashed, is a charitable donation of money or time, such as Heifer International, Finca, Giving Tree requests (particularly the larger ones for older children that often don’t get selected), a Habitat for Humanity project, or a shelter or refuge. Use large, bold photos to show the positive affect this donation is making on the world and let your customers or clients know, with posts on your website and social media, that your business could make this donation because of their support throughout the past year.

And Speaking of Saying Thank You…

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of our website and my work.

May your Thanksgiving Holiday be a joyful and happy one!

Carolyn E. Cooper

p.s. Remember, you don’t have to be perfect, you just need to take positive action to make a difference.

p.s.s. Case in point, competitive internet marketers would say I wasted my time by not tying in a click-through on this email. But I wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and I’m on the clock as well, so please accept my apologies and keep an eye out on the site this coming weekend for a look at animal rescue you made possible and some news of plans for 2016.

I know. It sounds like click-bait. But I really, really wanted you to check out this post because brain health is very important to me. And if I’d titled this —

 “30-minutes of aerobic exercise 3-4 times a week can elevate your mood, improve your focus, and protect your brain from age-related degeneration“

— you wouldn’t be reading it. But it’s true.

Check out the funny but informative 11-minute TED Talk below.

Meanwhile, make doing 30-minutes of aerobic exercise — climbing stairs, briskly walking, “power vacuuming” (see the video to the end) — a B1 in your Priority Planning Process at least 3 times a week for the next month to test it yourself. (Take an aerobic exercise class and you also get the benefits of connection and social interaction.)

Easy Ways To Make Brain Health a Part of Your Day

In 2010, there were 4.7 million people with some form of dementia in the U.S. alone. It’s estimated that by 2050 the number will grow to over 13 million cases. By investing just 30-minutes, 3 times a week in aerobic exercise, you strengthening your brain health — as well as keeping fit, feeling better, thinking better, and looking better. 

We don’t have to join a gym or sign-up for Zumba classes to get aerobic exercise and improve brain health.Getting an exercise buddy is helpful but simply scheduling activities that get you moving works, too. We can get out 30-minutes by climbing stairs instead of using the elevator or vigorously cleaning the house (Does your grout need scrubbing?), gardening (Skip the power tools and rake those leaves, trim that shrub by hand) or playing with your kids (parental quality time and improving brain health in one outing). .

And let me know in the comments if you are interested in a Health-and-Fitness Challenge program.

And discover how you can make your dreams come true.

I’m not kidding.

This is not woo-woo. As a matter of fact, Barbara Sher is going to trash-talk “positive thinking.” (And I’m pretty certain she’d have a few things to say about “The Secret” as well. She apparently doesn’t take any nonsensical guff.)

End Social Isolation: Barbara Sher’s Success Team Method in Brief

1. You get a team (not your close friends and family because they already have preconceived attitudes towards you; “strangers are great”).
2. You figure out what you want.
3. Then you say (to the team), “Here’s my wish and here’s my obstacle. Here’s what I want and here’s why I cannot have it.”

You need to say both the wish and the obstacle because “if you don’t say both (of) those things, nothing happens.” If we simply say, “I want to get a van for my business,” people will respond “Oh, that’s nice. New or used?” But if we say, “I want to get a van for my business, but I can’t afford to take on more debt,” people immediately start thinking of how to solve that problem — because “we are problem-solving animals. People want to help.”

For More About Ms. Sher

You can find out more about Barbara Sher’s Success Teams here: http://shersuccessteams.com

And you can find out more about Barbara Sher here: http://www.barbarasher.com/index.htm

(And, no, I don’ have any affiliation with Ms. Sher, but I’d love to meet her. She sounds like a hoot!)

And no matter what you think now, what you value and your aspirations will change with time and the vicissitudes of your life. We all have regrets. But we also all have victories and accomplishments. A Life-Review helps you be grateful and learn from your mistakes and refocus on what you want to do with your remaining future.

So after an unexpected health issue reminded me of my age, several friends died or suffered their own life-changing health issues, and we went through the pandemic, I did some research — and my own Life-Review. It was painful. It was delightful. It was humbling. And it was eye-opening. (And it’s one of the reasons I revived this site and blog.)

My research found that there was no single set of Life-Review questions, but there were several common ones. To these, I added a few twists of my own based on a Japanese cult film (“After Life,” available from the Criterion Collection) and conversations with several professionals and other people who’d done the exercise. Below is a link to the Life-Review Workbook I created.

Click here to download the Life-Review Workbook.

I hope you find it helpful and enlightening.

I know I wasn’t — and still struggle at times to get enough. In my twenties and early thirties, I bragged about sleeping only 5 hours a night and about the times I’d abuse my body with things like 76 hours without sleep or only 12 hours in a week.

In his eye-opening TED Talk, neuroscientist Russell Foster debunks some common myths about sleep and calls us to take sleep seriously as a society.

“This isn’t some sort of crystal-waving nonsense,” he says. “This is a pragmatic response to good health. If you have good sleep, it increases your concentration, attention, decision-making, creativity, social skills, health.”

As the research mounts on the critical affect sleep-deprivation has on our health and cognitive ability, particularly as we age, we should make time to get enough restful sleep. A recent study by the New York University of Medicine concluded that getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night, combined with 30-60 minutes of exercise 3-6 times a week, significantly reduced the risk of stroke.

I’ll post more on this topic but for now, check out Russel Foster’s TED presentation and some simple actions you can take to help you make better decisions and live better.

Quick Tips For A Good Night’s Sleep

Create a Bedtime Routine.

This includes setting a regular bedtime and specific steps you take shortly before you go to sleep. Your routine could be as simple as washing your face, brushing your teeth, locking up, and changing into your pajamas. You want to establish triggers to your brain that it’s time to go to sleep.

Avoid Eating Late.

Ideally, we should stop eating at least three hours before bedtime. If you do get hungry just before bed, choose something light and sleep-inducing. For example, a banana is a good source of B6 which helps the body produce the sleep-aid serotonin.

Make Certain You Are Tired.

Obviously, if we aren’t tired, we will have trouble falling asleep. We all know we should exercise each day, but it doesn’t have to be full-out gym marathon. A brief, brisk 15-30 minute walk will help us sleep — and help our overall fitness and mental acuity. Just be certain to exercise earlier in the evening. Late-night exercise may tire out our bodies but it stimulates our brains.

Turn That Light Out!

Light, especially blue light from our electronic devices, signal daytime to our brains. Try to turn off your electronics at least one hour (preferably 3 hours) before going to bed. If you are an avid ebook reader, get an e-reader that offers a nighttime mode which cuts the blue light emitted or get special amber glasses that do the same thing.

Also, kill the light seeping into your bedroom. Try blackout curtains on your windows and cover the light from chargers, powerstrips, nightlights, and other low but surprisingly disturbing ambient lights. Or use a sleep mask.

Unwind.

To get a good night’s rest, we need to wind down and calm our mind. I do a 10-20 minutes mindfulness meditation followed by 10-15 minutes of casual reading each night as part of my bedtime routine. You may want to read a book, listen to some soothing music, write in a journal, or review your Priority Planning list and make a new one for tomorrow. Consider skipping the late-night news or anything else that might raise your blood pressure or get your mind racing.

Create a Restful Environment.

Check out your bedroom. Does it need decluttering? Is your mattress comfortable? Do you need to evict the pets thundering through? Would a white noise generator cover the sound of those noisy neighbors? Is it where you sleep or has it become your alternative office space? Make certain your bedroom is a peaceful, comfortable place that signals bedtime to your brain.

Yes, I’m one to talk. I’m writing this sitting on my bed right now, but I make absolutely certain I only work after my bed is made and on top of the covers. Once I snuggle down under the covers, my brain knows it’s time for sleep.

Nighty-night!

Or if you can’t do that first because it’s scheduled at a specific time, tackle your second most important task. Continue to do the next most important task throughout your day. At the end of the day, you’ll feel great — less stressed, more confident and more successful.

She’s Making A List & Checking It Twice

Of course, it’s a bit easier if you make a list. No, not a whose naughty or nice list (That list is in our heads). Make an actual task list for the day.

By making a list, either with paper and pen or digitally, we free up more brain energy for solving problems and making better decisions. (Like what the naughty and nice are getting.) It also increases our available willpower, helping us stay focused and on track.

But Is It Really An Important Goal or Task?

Our important goals are tied to our personal list of what we want in our lives — and want to achieve. If you feel it’s something you “should” do instead of wanting to do, that’s a big clue that it isn’t something that you value — it’s something imposed by someone else. Whose telling you that you must do this? Is it peer pressure? Or that tiny little voice inside your head? (And whose voice is that anyway?) Or your boss?

If you believe you really, really need to do the task, even if you don’t want to do it, look for a way to reframe the task. Is it tied to something you do value, like strengthening your friendships or supporting your family? Is there some part of it you actually enjoy? Focus on what connects to your true values and tie it to the part you don’t care for.

Or maybe you can delegate the part you dislike. (Would Tyler trade tasks with you?) Is there an aspect you can use to build a skill you want or need to pursue your own goals? Can you gamify the task so that completion feels like a win (with an appropriate reward)? Try different techniques to find what works for you.

Make your holiday season a little brighter by concentrating on what matters — and what matters to you!

(FYI, the brief history of fanzines comes after all the information about printing techniques. So keep reading. And if you haven’t read the fabulously funny 1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England, comprising all the parts you can remember, including 103 Good Things, 5 Bad Kings, and 2 Genuine Dates by  W. C. Sellar and R. J. Yeatman, by all means, do so. Alas, the American version is nowhere near as funny. (Though the history is just as tragic.)

Click to Download the PDF Version of the Video/Slide Show. (104MB file)

For more on the history of women in SF and media fanzines, check out “Geek Elders Speak: In Our Own Voices” (available in both audio and print format) from Forest Path Books. (Disclaimer: I have a piece in the anthology, but I don’t get any royalties.)