Future Planning Archives ⋆ The Art of Mom

A stack of books I've received for my professional reading projects

So You Want to Get Paid in Books: About Professional Reading

AUGUST 30, 2025 I think most people who enjoy reading have wondered at least briefly whether they could turn the pastime into a full-time job. After all, publishing is an entire industry that needs people[…]

I recently had to replace my old car Vessel after she reached the end of the road. Image shows the side of a red SUV with fog and trees in the background. There are autumn leaves on the ground.

The End of the Road: Saying Goodbye to Vessel

JUNE 30, 2025 If you’ve known me personally over the last 8 years, there’s a good chance you’ve heard me talk lovingly about my old beater car, Vessel. You may have even participated in the[…]

Our libraries and the services they provide are under attack at the federal level. Here's what you can do to help. Image shows interior of the public library in Shelburne Falls, MA.

Getting Loud to Defend Libraries

APRIL 20, 2025 I didn’t think I was going to write a new post this month. I’d instead planned to publish an article I wrote a while back about spring cleaning. Unfortunately, while that’s usually[…]

I've always loved stories. Image shows a stack of books on my desk next to an open laptop with the first chapter of a story on screen. There is a larger monitor in the background displaying a spreadsheet of daily writing statistics.

Telling My Story

MARCH 19, 2025 Unless you’re very new here, you already know that I read and I write a lot. I’ve always had a soft spot for a good story. I’ll occasionally earn an income from[…]

An image of a still pond, with trees all around the edges, beneath an overcast sky. There is a thin layer of snow on top of everything. It's the perfect weather for a winter reset.

Deep Winter Reset

DECEMBER 12, 2024 December feels different this year. I don’t think it’s only about the weather, either. There have been other years where October and November stayed relatively warm. I remember a few years where[…]

My cat Callie has been with me through a lot, but now I'm preparing to deal with her loss.

Preparing for a Loss

OCTOBER 4, 2024 One of my cats is sick. She has been for quite a while now, but her condition has reached the point where her vets and I know that she’s not going to[…]

Aging isn't as bad as I thought. A picture of me sitting in the woods making a peace sign and winking. My daughter is on her bigwheel in the background.

Aging Up: Gaining Skill Points and Leveling Like a Boss

OCTOBER 6, 2021 I have white hairs. I’ve had some of them for many years now. Other people don’t notice them, but I find them.[…]

Distancing Myself From Dating

FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Valentine’s Day is coming. For me, it feels different this year. Maybe the day seems a bit unfamiliar for everyone this time around due to the pandemic. Dating in general has changed.[…]

So Here We Are… Many Changes Later

MAY 23, 2018 Let’s be honest, it’s pretty much impossible to follow the trajectory you set out to follow in life. Things happen. Sudden changes occur when you least expect them, and you have to[…]

The Art of Mom

Making the Best of Messiness

Tag: Future Planning

So You Want to Get Paid in Books: About Professional Reading

The End of the Road: Saying Goodbye to Vessel

Getting Loud to Defend Libraries

Telling My Story

Deep Winter Reset

Preparing for a Loss

Aging Up: Gaining Skill Points and Leveling Like a Boss

Distancing Myself From Dating

So Here We Are… Many Changes Later