Trust in Joy

Sometimes the date with yourself, becomes your hobby. 

"When I decompress, I choose like, the hardest projects to just deep dive in."
 
This week, someone else shares their date—i.e. what she likes to do when she has time to herself. Listen in on Kristen's adventure in "stress baking" as well as how she got into skydiving and what lights her up about the sport. 
 
Want to tell me about your date? Leave me a voice message! I'd love to hear about it. CLICK HERE

Resources:
 
The Misty Blues Women's Skydiving Team & Performances
 
Great Michigan drop zones for skydiving:
1.  Skydive Tecumseh
 
2.  Midwest Free Fall
 
3. Skydive Grand Haven
 
Information on the Accelerated Free Fall course to get sport licensed to skydive. 
 
From Kristen, Re: aged fruitcake. Here is a blog from a hobby baker that had a similar journey to mine with one big difference: I always knew I’d be making my own marzipan (way cheaper and more tasty than store bought) and instead of royal icing, I made a marshmallow based fondant (also way cheaper and more tasty than store bought). 

marzipan recipe (egg free)
 
Marshmallow Fondant (life changing) recipe
 
Note: For someone that wants to make little elegant finger treats, the marzipan/fondant layer can be rolled out and cut with cookie cutters (simple shapes) and drizzled or covered in any kind of chocolate. You’ll have guest DEMANDING the profession bakery source! ;) 
 
 
Take a look at videos & photos of the dates 
The book that inspired these dates 
About Lena
Check out Lena's Personal Styling Services
Instagram: @datinglena
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trustinjoy.substack.com/subscribe

What's the best way for YOU to make decisions? Where are YOU limitless? Where do YOU hold yourself back? How can YOU get into alignment?

Sounds like something you want to know, right? I signed up for a free 5 day workshop and learned all of this about myself. I took 5 minutes each day to read a part of my chart. Then, I spent my 'solo date time' doing the chart for other people (and telling them all about it)! 

You can access the details of your human design chart here: Intuition Lifestyle     For more human design inspo, follow @IntuitionLifestyle on Instagram  

Resources:

• See videos & photos of my dates + get specials. Pop in your email here to get in on it.

 

• "The Artist Way," the book that inspired these dates 
  
  
• About Lena
• Lena's Virtual Styling Services
• Instagram @datinglena

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trustinjoy.substack.com/subscribe

We've written back and forth to each other for 12 consecutive years! She and I are far apart, yet we've gone through big life moments at the same time. This week I curled up with my laptop and wrote an overdue message to a dear friend. 

 

P.S. Sunday, February 7th is National Send a Card to a Friend Day!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trustinjoy.substack.com/subscribe

She came in wanting to look like Meghan Markle. She left with a gorgeous wedding dress that made her feel like herself—like the beautiful bride she was.   I volunteer each month at The Bride's Project. Seeing brides say 'yes to the dress' has become something I truly enjoy. The bride I helped this week came in with quite an interesting entourage! Listen in as I retell the story of how she found a dress she loved.    "The Brides Project is a bridal boutique…with a heart!  Wedding dresses are donated to The Brides Project from all across the country: some are “pre-loved” – donated by brides who want to see them dance another day, and many are donated directly from bridal salons, so they are brand new! The best part of all is that the money raised from the sale of gowns supports families touched by cancer through the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor."   Resouces: 

The Bride's Project

 

Cancer Support Community

 

Gourmet Cooking & Wine Charity Event

 

Sometimes I post videos & photos of the dates on

Instagram @datinglena

 

Check out my Personal Styling Services

 

The book that inspired these dates 

 

About Lena

 

Get on the Dating Lena Newsletter!     

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trustinjoy.substack.com/subscribe

This episode is a throwback to last summer. I attended an event at a park that was the collaboration of Reset brain + body, Citizen Yoga and The Barre Code. We did barre, yoga and then meditated. It was a perfect Midwest summer night—warm, but not too hot, fireflies, but no mosquitos! Kerry Biskelonis, owner of Reset brain + body, led a visualization that is unlike any kind I've experienced.   Also unusual for a community event, was being put in groups (of strangers) and talking about it afterwards.   I ask her to do the same meditation in this episode because it's so good! It'll put your mind and body at ease. Listen when you have time to close your eyes!   Meditation at 8:09   Resources:    Reset brain +body tele-therapy and in-person services   Citizen Yoga   The Barre Code   About Lena   Personal Styling Services     Instagram: @datinglena     The book that inspired these dates with myself     Get on the Dating Lena Newsletter!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trustinjoy.substack.com/subscribe

I’m a fan of the author Julia Cameron; she’s the reason I do these solo dates each week. Millions of people use her tools, Artist Dates being one of them, to spark ideas, gain clarity and become a better human, parent, writer...anything!

It was sweet to hear someone that has inspired me, field questions and speak live.

Re: the pandemic she said, “It takes some ingenuity to execute Artist Dates within the confines of our own homes, and yet the effort pays off.”

Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, MA hosted the virtual event. Supporting independent shops always feels good. I should be receiving my copy of her newest book any day now.

Resources: 

The Listening Path 

The book that inspired these dates with myself

About Lena
Instagram: @datinglena
Personal Styling

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trustinjoy.substack.com/subscribe

While she overlooks the Aegean Sea, I pretend I am there too (from my bedroom) as Kate conducts a virtual Kundalini Yoga class. Can you feel relaxed and energized at the same time? That's how I felt after this class. I also realized that Kundalini Yoga might be the best way for toddlers to deal with tantrums. I predict (and hope) that this practice starts to become mainstream, as we all can benefit from it.
 

Resources
Kate's 7 day immersion class:
"Part of the power of kundalini yoga comes from daily work with breath and meditation. Join us for this week of practicing kundalini each day, and raise your awareness, strengthen your nervous system, and begin learning how to meditate on deeper levels. This series is held via Livestream."
 
Join for all 7 days--or simply attend as many practices as you can. 
 
DATES: 
Jan 9th + 10th: 9 am to 10am
Jan 11th through the 15th: 7am to 8am
 
$40 ($25 for members, use code: PRANA)
 
Sign up here: 
https://www.detroityogalab.com/events/
 
Check out Kate's ongoing classes:
https://www.kdaughdrill.com/Yoga-Meditation-Teachinghttps://katedaughdrill.com/
 
Kate's Instagram: @katedaughdrill
 
Lena's site:
http://www.lenaporter.com
 
Personal Styling Services
 
Instagram: @datinglena 
 
The book that inspired these dates with myself
 
 
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trustinjoy.substack.com/subscribe

I was walking out the door with my snow gear on, ready to go cross-country skiing on fresh snow. A quick call to the park informed me that there actually wasn't enough to open the trails. 

When you're all dressed up (in ski clothes) with no place to go, you rally the kids and go sledding for the first time of the season. As @GaryVee says, "Put changing your mind on a pedestal." Don't let one missed week derail your progress with these dates, or with anything else in your life. Happy New Year! 

Resources: @GaryVee   Places to cross-country skiing or sledding   Instagram: @datinglena   About Lena   Personal Styling    The book that inspired these dates. 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trustinjoy.substack.com/subscribe

Plus a peppermint oil scalp massage. While booking on the phone, the receptionist advised me to not plan on going anywhere after that scalp treatment. "Your hair is going to be kind of greasy." It was also minty, but I liked it! Right at the start of my massage, an uneasy situation occurred (not like that!) but it took a bit for me to relax. And what do you eat after a massage? (So you don't 'ruin' all that detoxification that just happened.) Massages don't need to be viewed as too luxurious to get them routinely. Nix the mom guilt about massage memberships!

What did you do on YOUR date? Tag me @datinglena so I can applaud you and others can get ideas!

Resources:
Hand and Stone Massage Memberships and Gift Cards

Uniqlo Face Masks

Personal Styling Gift Cards with Lena

Instagram: @datinglena

 

About Lena Porter

The book that inspired these dates with myself.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trustinjoy.substack.com/subscribe

Do you like to browse? Maybe it's because we've been cooped up or maybe there's just always good energy and friendly conversation inside this store. I prefer to shop local and independent; and given the current restrictions set on boutiques, buying local has never been more important. Plus they have fun stuff! Like the shell napkin rings I bought, and the Christmas ornaments I thought only my grandma had!

Resources:
El Dorado General Store

Detroit Rose

Alchemy Perfumery

Personal Styling Gift Cards

Instagram: @datinglena

About Lena

The Book That Inspired These Dates (with myself)
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit trustinjoy.substack.com/subscribe