I figure that I’m bound to get a good chuckle or a knowing “me too” out of this problem I seem to have developed. It’s just that there are so many amazing e-courses out there and for every five I force myself to pass on, there’s another one calling to me.
Somehow it all seems to balance out. Where some are intensive, others are only one prompt a month. Still, I’ve vowed to myself in the name of sanity and stillness and needing time for other projects that when these end, I won’t take more than one at a time. You believe me, right?
Anyway, here’s a little blurb about each course:
One Little Word 2014 with Ali Edwards is about selecting one word to be your focus for the entire year. This is the third year I’ve done this (mindful, stillness, and now cherish) and I can honestly say that it makes a big impact in my daily life. My word, and Ali’s monthly prompts, helps me make better choices. On the first of each month, Ali sends us something to reflect upon and assigns us a creative project. I used to have a small blog hop group to share my posts with, and now we have a Facebook group with over 2300 members. You can read all my OLW posts here. (And I have to mention that this one doesn’t count toward my one-at-a-time-going-forward nonsense.)
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Project Light Year with Liv Lane: a soulful journey to your brightest year yet. This year-long class is about deepening your relationship with the universe, bonding with a community of like-minded women, and stepping into your own light. Each month Liv sends five days of e-mails diving into the theme of the month, leaving the rest of the month to experiment with the concepts and integrate them into our lives and discuss them in our private Facebook group. The support, celebration, and reflection of this group is absolutely amazing. Of course all the themes are interconnected. We are really creating positive energy in the universe. The only post I’ve written thus far about this class is this one: Unlimited Possibility: my vision board.
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Soul Food: 26-week art workshop provides two art video-format lessons each week along with downloadable cooking recipes too. 36 artists present cool mixed media techniques, art dolls and other sewing projects, jewelry making, handmade journals, abstract art, portraits, sculpting, works on canvas and in journals. There are giveaways and a Facebook group too where we share our work. Luckily we have access to all the lessons until the end of the year because I’ve only done about 3 of them. Here’s one:
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Christy Tomlinson’s Monthly Art Video Club is another monthly club with one project on the 15th of the month. I adore Christy and her informal teaching style. This class is designed to bring to you new techniques, new projects, introduce you to new products and connect you with other like minded artists in (yes, you guessed it!) the Facebook group. This club is designed to help you learn new techniques to strengthen your own art, to grow as an artist and also to have a broader spectrum of what mixed media is and can be! It helps me use up my stash of goodies too.
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Written Anew: The Sacred Story of You with Becky McCleery is the one class on this list that’s over. Lol. This was a five-week journey within, “tapping into the sacred truth of who you are, awakening your inherent loveliness and choosing to step into the soul-nourishing life you’ve been longing for. We looked at our childhoods to remember our greatest joys and strengths, looked at what might be weighing us down and preventing us to use our inherent strengths, and made a plan for moving forward and shining brightly. Becky gave us weekly meditations, lessons, activities, challenges, a discovery journal, and yes, a Facebook group. I will write more soon about this course.
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Write Your Authentic About Page with Abby Kerr is about reaching your Right People effectively in your About Page. Abby gave us many copywriting resources, reviewed each of our pages, and helped us structure our pages based on what type of business we have. In short, an effective About page should sound like you, invite your Right People to do something (subscribe in my case), and give a sense of your personality and offerings. Abby included 8 audio lessons with written transcripts, 3 screencasts where she critiques various About pages, plus a Q&A call and a bonus lesson about the Home page. Check out my new About page!
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The Sacred Alone with Susannah Conway is a “gentle 14-day journey into the quiet knowing space in your heart that offers refuge, wisdom and calm.” Each day consists of an email from Susannah with a short essay on the day’s theme, a downloadable 5-minute meditation or visualization in her lovely and quietly soothing voice, and a journal prompt. The goal is that by the end of our 14 days together I’ll have created my own Sacred Alone practice. If you know Susannah, you’ll understand why I absolutely had to participate. I’m mostly collecting the e-mails and meditations to read when I have time.
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Living From Your Soul with Neale Donald Walsh is the main thing I’ve been working on. This intensive course has already (in week 2) given me the most amazing peace, sense of aliveness, and complete acceptance. It is transforming my life. It’s like being let in on a huge secret: the purpose of life and how to live in harmony without struggles. It’s about living as your truest self, to be able to . . .
- Accept yourself and your circumstances fully and feel “in harmony” no matter what you’re doing from moment to moment
- Walk through your everyday life with a much deeper sense of your place on the planet and the meaning of your existence
- Attain a more profound understanding of who you really are
- Relax, knowing that life will always work out the way it should
- Feel confident about speaking your Truth as you know it
- Live with an attitude of contentment instead of struggle
- Connect with your soul in such a way that your whole life will become a creative expression of your truest self
I will definitely be telling you more about this one.
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Healing Waves with Kristin Noelle is a series of 10-day themes. Each theme consists of a daily drawing from Kristin and some thoughts to help us stop and breathe. Kristin’s truths help bring me back to center.
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On the horizon…
Paper Love is “a five-week papery adventure, where we unwrap the possibilities of paper – getting stuck into a host of creative projects, sharing inspiration, hearing from people who have made paper love into their careers, learning about the fascinating history of paper, and connecting with other paper lovers from around the world.” Topics include the delights of PAPER (week 1), COLLAGE (week 2), WORD (week 3), BOOK (week 4), MAIL (week 5). Can’t wait!
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A continuation of The Gifts of Imperfection with Brene Brown – an art journaling course hosted by Oprah. This part will be about cultivating creativity, play, stillness, meaningful work, and laughter. Brene says, “I don’t want to just talk about wholeheartedness, I want to live it. I want to do the work that I love AND be home to drive carpool.” Read about my experience in Part 1 of the class here.
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The Land of Light and Shadow is a one week creative course with Danielle Donaldson (creativeGIRL) that “will inspire you to add depth to your work. Techniques include pencil and pen work, watercolors, acrylics and patterned paper layers.”
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I am actually only in ONE ecourse right now. OLW. I have allowed myself to just focus on one because last year I signed up for stuff and ended up feeling guiltily about not participating. I so love the courses you mentioned, though. Liv Lane’s course sounds good.
Amy Putkonen recently posted…Scattered Life Collective: March 28th
Good for you for learning from that. I am similarly learning that this pressure is not for me. 🙂
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Yes!!! I feel your pain!!! I was there, too… last year! This year, I have made a concerted effort to say ‘NO!’ to an abundance of distractions. I have only signed up to one art course beginning April 1 and only for 30 days and I am part of two semi-course-like groups. Other than that, I have too much on my plate!
I completely understand the compelling temptation these courses offer. I also know that they will be on offer again next year or something else will come along to be just as compelling when I am at my most busy state to try to distract me. lol! 🙂
While there is value in some of these e-courses, there is also a tremendous need to participate as fully as possible so you can get as much out of them as you can while the energy is there. Do what feels good and let the rest go, if you can. Then you can really enjoy the ones that you’ve kept and still accomplish some of those items on your ‘to-do’ list.
Much love, blessings and peace to you! ♥
It’s funny you say that I could let some of it go, because I am doing that. I find it fabulously freeing, just giving myself that permission. Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
I can see why you find it hard to say no, these courses are all amazing. What an extraordinary life filled with growth and new experiences you must be leading. Inspirational.
Karen Main recently posted…Find out how to discover your purpose.
Thank you. I really do like to look at it THAT way, rather than feeling the pressure to keep up with it all. 🙂
They all look so scrumptious and you are indeed a busy girl! I’m very careful about my e-course selection these days. I got burnt once….paid a lot of money for very little in return….I was really excited about the class and then so very disappointed. It took me a long time to even ‘think’ of taking another e-class. So…I’m always happy to know when others find value in the courses they are taking…..thanks for sharing!
Debbie Goode recently posted…Buster Part Three
Really? After all the courses I’ve taken in the past few years, I still haven’t come across a bad one. I am surprised! There really are so many good ones out there. 🙂
Noami
You amaze me. Where do you find the time? The ecourse list looks very inspiring. I have to admit, I found it exhausting to think about keeping up with it all. I have been simplifying and find the right balance.
I am taking a chakra healing class that focuses on our connection with our soul and highest consciousness. I know you’d love it. I also won a spot in Spectrum. I am so impressed and inspired by this one. It may be the most meaning one for me thus far.
I’m looking forward to connecting with you.
Big hugs
Ever since you put the idea in my head that I do not have to do every single assignment, and after I got over my shock, I’ve felt free to take a bit here and a bit there and not worry so much about what I’m missing. I don’t always join the Facebook groups either because I can sort of tell when I need to turn off the chatter.
I’m sure that chakra class with John is amazing. I hope he offers it again because I’m enjoying his e-mails. You can see now why I couldn’t take it! Tell me more about Spectrum. xoxo
Naomi, These look wonderful . . . and would be an overwhelming list for me. I am keeping it pretty simple right now & spending my energy wisely. Someday I might ask YOU what you find most helpful and least helpful about ecourse formats–I bet you are an expert! Blessings. . .
Janet recently posted…How about that!
Ha! I probably am… how odd. Not something I could put on my resume. I guess you can see how I had trouble when college ended and I didn’t know what to do… so I went to grad school. Lol.
The art class looks especially fun! I sympathized with your list, because I made a similar one yesterday as I thought about curriculum rewrites and speaking engagements coming up on the calendar. Life is such an ebb and flow! 🙂
That is so true, Ann. I try to remember to treasure it all and that it’s all something I’ve chosen for a reason.
Great post! It is so easy to get overwhelmed and say yes to all the bright shiny objects around us. I have the same challenge in different formats – not ecourses but other goodies in my life. It’s important to be clear about why we are making the choices we are making and which choices get us closer to our goals in life and keep us close to what we value. I hope you are enjoying the ecourses and getting what you need from them 🙂
Excellent point, Michele. Starting with the end in mind, so to speak. I value that idea very much. Thank you for commenting.
Oh my goodness! I can so relate to this and in fact, this is one of my blog post ideas…you’ve inspired me to make it my next…..YAY! Thank you and guess what? I’ll be taking Danielle Donaldson’s course too. I’m not much of a watercolor person but I’m going to give it another chance and see what happens. Should be fun!
Michelle recently posted…Letter to Nana
Love your list and your personal twist on the course content! I am in a few on your list! I love that most of Jeanne Oliver classes are online for one year! Great window. Did you see the new offering, Plaster & Wax 101? Enrolling as I aspire to create with encaustic! Love your list!!! I will be referring back to this…
debbie recently posted…Hip to be Square
We have so much in common. If I were to add that encaustic class, which I’ve also been wanting to learn, I’d end up buying lots more goodies and then getting carried away… I’d better stick with what I’ve got for now. 🙂
Love your course list and am amazed you can manage what you do. I pad for brave girls art school last year and only managed 1 week oops. I have a ton of jeanne Oliver courses still to work through – I love her way of teaching though… Plus project light year of course and a heap of mini courses I am simply hording the info to catch up on later xx can’t wait to hear about the from the soul class
Deb @ home life simplified recently posted…Mandalas in the sand
I think it clearly points out that I can’t sit still and just BE. Of course, I DO want to learn and improve myself, but one at a time would be much more effective. I’ll write about the soul class soon. I haven’t wanted to scare anyone away by getting all spiritual. 🙂
I am so far behind in my classes from last year that I only signed up for one this year and fortunately that one was only for four weeks. Of course it’s not just the courses but the projects . You gave me that Blurb info for making books of my blog post and I still haven’t started. Hopefully this year. You give me hope. You get so much done.
Cheers.
Do not even get me started on my projects. I’ve got the books too, and so many more ideas. I feel that the only reason I get so much done is because maybe I push myself too much. I don’t like having undone things hanging out on my to-do list. Maybe that’ll be another post. 🙂
The old adage “the more the merrier” comes to mind. Have fun!! 🙂
Lol. Thanks, Kelli!
These courses look so fabulous. I wish you could join you in all of them! Right now I feel in over my head with only two courses. I’m taking Brene Brown’s art journaling course (I’m still behind from part one — I’m officially cutting myself some slack on this — and part two starts in just a few weeks!) as well as Kelly Rae Roberts’ mixed media course, which is totally rocking my little striped socks off. I very much wanted to join Liv’s Project Light Year because I *loved* her blogging course last year (sounds trite to say it, but it truly changed my entire life for good). I knew, though, that I couldn’t make such a long-term commitment to a course this year with all the other changes going on in my life. Maybe in 2015!
Harmony Harrison recently posted…Singing to the Storm with Shnoodle: a roundabout adventure in intimacy and art
Well then it’s good that the part one content is gone now so you don’t have to worry! I thought seriously about KRR’s class but just couldn’t justify it with all these others. Liv is so amazing, I agree. I took her BBTL too and I think I’ll take anything she offers. You would really enjoy this course, I’m sure. Maybe she’ll offer it again if it’s meant to be. Thank you so much for reading!
It’s only by sheer gritting of teeth that I am passing up some of these. 🙂
Linda Watson recently posted…Step by Step, Bead by Bead
I completely understand! I keep seeing more good ones and am using my will power. 🙂
Well, you got me beat! And that’s saying something! I completely forgot about about Paper love coming up. We’ll be on the ship for 4 of those weeks! That’s going to be interesting. You’ve found some amazing courses and there’s no doubt in my mind you’ll get something from each!
janet forrest recently posted…I wish I hadn’t Come Out Here
I KNEW you’d understand and relate. The first thing I thought of when you mentioned your trip is Paper Love. I’ll keep you in the loop if you have e-mail access in paradise.
I will, although the bandwidth is awful. I’m chomping at the bit to get the class kit. It should be here before we leave and hopefully will be light enough to take. With a bare minimum of supplies, I MIGHT be able to keep up!
janet forrest recently posted……And Then I Remember Why!
LOL – you’ve got your fingers in a lot of pies Naomi. The courses all sound delightful. It can be such fun participating in a group creative experience can’t it – even when the group is cyber, and there’s the bonus of being able to do things at your own pace. Hope each one brings you great joy and proves fulfilling rather than draining.
Deborah Weber recently posted…We Are All Bright Bouquets
I’ve met so many kindred spirits, yes. 🙂 Thank you!
Yup – ecourse overwhelm. I can so relate…and – as such – have chosen to cut way back this year. And what an incredible list you’ve got going here. Surely – enough – to transform and grow – :-)!
I think we can’t help but come to that decision. Cutting back to really focus is inevitable. It just took me much longer to get to that point. 🙂