That good kind of sore, the fun kind of work.

I really enjoy productive friend dates. I think the ‘raising the barn’ type stuff that we do together is just as important as going out for coffee.

Friends and Family, Relationships, GardeningMeredith LyonsApril 12, 2024friends, gardeningComment

Cats: The Good, The Bad, and the Unexpected (cats are never ugly)

Although most cats will get you up before you’re ready on the weekends, these two developed a habit of coming in during the middle of the night, banging the blinds against the window—I’m not kidding—and yowling when they wanted human attention. Aang has even resorted to leaping from the top of the eight-foot-tall bookcase onto my stomach when he really wants something.

Pets, RelationshipsMeredith LyonsJune 23, 2023Pets, Relationships Comments

Let's talk about our changing bodies.

As a society, I think we’re getting better at openly discussing these things unapologetically, but I think it’s still important, maybe even more important, to shine a light on these personal experiences as we move through them. I’m in my mid-forties, which is almost like a second puberty. Just when I had my body figured out, it’s changing on me again.

Fitness, Friends and Family, Health, Kindness, Mental Training, Relationships, Resilience, WomenMeredith LyonsApril 7, 2023women, health, mental trainingComment

Seven Bullets for Forty-Five Years Around the Sun

This one is going to be shorter because it’s my birthday, the weather is decent so I’d like to get outside, and my best friend from New Orleans is flying in this afternoon. We’ve known each other for thirty-five years and haven’t seen each other since the Before Times. So, here are a few bullet points from the other side of forty-five.

Friends and Family, RelationshipsMeredith LyonsMarch 17, 2023friends, RelationshipsComment

An Affection for the Darkest Days

I love that we, as humans, regardless of what ritual we may or may not be observing, collectively throw up lights against the darkest time of the year.

Friends and Family, Holidays, Relationships, TraditionMeredith LyonsDecember 23, 2022Gratitude, friends, family, HolidaysComment

All Ships Rise: On asking for help.

Asking for help can be intimidating. There are three things I believe to be true:

The first ‘yes’ generates confidence and makes it easier to go after the next one.
People, as a rule, want to help where they can.
When you get those yeses, reciprocate. There’s always something you can give back.

Friends and Family, Marketing, Relationships, WritingMeredith LyonsNovember 11, 2022Relationships, Creativity, MarketingComment

Are You A Dave?

We all feel ‘like idiots’ when we feel we’ve been taken in in some way, but there is a special kind of shame that women feel when they thought they’d made a friend and ‘once again’ he was only interested in objectification and sex.

Kindness, Health, Mental Training, Relationships, WomenMeredith LyonsOctober 21, 2022women, Relationships Comments

In which Dean has a seizure and I'm not there.

Dean has epilepsy. I’ve known this as long as I’ve known Dean.

Share your joys, share your sorrows

Find people in your life who will lift you up, no matter how high or low you already are. Don’t be afraid to share your joys and sorrows.

Seven Years After

Dean and I are celebrating our seven year wedding anniversary this weekend. Over ten years together. I’m looking back on what I’ve learned about marriage as well as the advice I would give my pre-married self if I had the opportunity.

Friends and Family, Marriage, RelationshipsMeredith LyonsApril 22, 2022Married Life, RelationshipsComment

Sometimes you gotta let something slide

To really excel at one thing, sometimes you have to let the rest slide. Just a little bit.

Motivation, Relationships, WritingMeredith LyonsFebruary 18, 2022writing, Motivation Comments

Giving and Receiving Feedback

Being able to give and receive feedback well is a skill that is worth developing. Not only will it help you grow your craft (whatever that may be) but you’ll be able to network and help others even more effectively.

Small Changes that have made big differences

A few habits or perspective shifts I’ve found that just about always make life better.

RelationshipsMeredith LyonsJanuary 28, 2022growth, health, change Comments

Then and Now: A couple decades later

My kindergarten friend, Aerie asked me to write today’s post in a compare and contrast theme. Specifically, comparing how I was at twenty to how I am now.