Howdy my friends! 😀 One of my goals this year is to have more fun with you guys, here on the blog, while facing my fears head on!
Confession: I’ve been trying to write a Taking Stock Post since 2016… But I’d always chicken out and shelve it in drafts. Hence, this is me slapping fear across the face… Boom! 😀
Overcoming The Temptation to Shrink Back
When I started writing this Taking Stock post last week, a voice in my head wildly whispered ‘Maybe it’s not good enough…’
Do you ever feel this way? Whoa, the struggle is real guys!
Then I thought, ‘what if I throw in something on goal setting?’ Being what I’m currently going through…
It went okay for a while, until it turned into a mental circus. #yikes
Feeling a little stuck, I took to my Social Media pages to request for your votes between these two topics: Taking Stock Or Goal Setting Tips.
Y’all are simply amazing; thank you for coming through. Loving the Team spirit! 😉
Since you voted for both Goal Setting Tips and Taking Stock, I figured ‘hey, why not take a shot at both ay?’
Yay, so welcome to our first ever Taking Stock post! 😀
P.S. Read my Goal Setting Tips’ Post HERE
What Is Taking Stock?
A Taking Stock Post is like a heart-to-heart that could go any possible way! 🙂
I first discovered the idea on Sharon Mundia’s blog. She in turn, got the idea from Sidney Liam who borrowed it from another blogger. Thank you ladies for paying it forward.*
It involves making reflections on life, in this case, by answering a list of statements in the moment. It’s also a fun way for you and I to get better acquainted… 😉
I believe that fun, lighthearted (and silly) is exactly what the doctor ordered today… So belt up for the good, the fun and the silly! 😀
Taking Stock 2018 & everything In Between!
Buying: More books to read this year. My goal is to read two books a month. You know what they say about Writers and Reading, yes?! 😀
Craving: A vacation! Honestly, I’m always itching to go somewhere new…
I’m looking forward to experiencing new cultures and countries this year.
Did you know? I have never been out of East Africa and beyond? Hehe, don’t throw stones, just whisper a prayer for me instead… 😉
Drinking: Lots and lots of water. I am a little bit of a *tea and Fanta addict, but I am slowly (snail-pace slow) trying to change *wish me luck! 😉
Enjoying: This small portable speaker I got from my sister over the holidays! Whoa! That speaker is changing my life: one Podcast and one video at a time!
Plus, it’s the perfect fix if you don’t have a sound system (like me) or when you travel… Simply connect to your phone via blue tooth, and voila! #happydance! 😀
Tip:
> There are some good, affordable options available on Jumia marketplace.
Feeling: Excited about 2018! I believe with all my heart and soul that it’s going to be a fantastic year. Let’s get it! 🙂
Following: More Vloggers and Bloggers who share their craft with a passion. My current favourites are:
Mutua Matheka; I like the humour, the lessons and the ingenuity of his vlogs.
Sabina Trojanova: Ulalaaa! 😀
Vaga Brothers; I stumbled upon the Vega Brothers recently, on YouTube. Their Travel vlog is simply #goals!
What’s your favourite blog and/or vlog? I’d love to check it out. 🙂
Learning: How to celebrate the small and big wins this year… I’m still figuring out what that will look like. White Chocolates perhaps..? Let’s see!
Looking: For ideas on more of what you want to see on the blog this year… Don’t hold back, share, share, share! 😀
I really want to create content that is enjoyable, meaningful & informative, but also resonates well with you my dear readers!
Listening: To podcasts every morning… I recently discovered ‘The Accidental Creative’ Podcast on Mutua Matheka’s vlog.
It is refreshing to learn from people who understand the joys and struggles of being a creative.
Making: Quality time for my loved ones.
And making time to improve on my craft(s), learn new things & expand my creativity.
Tip:
Did You Know you can take FREE online courses on ‘Future Learn’ on almost any topic under the sun? Yup! Check it out. 🙂
Missing… My cute fluffy dog(s) that I will own in the NEAR future. This is the year guys, I can feel it in my bones! 😀
Noticing: How positive I’m feeling lately. I do have moments when I panic and it feels like the world is ending… So, it’s a ‘work in progress’.
I love that you can always pick up from wherever you fell off, and keep moving. 🙂
Needing: A new phone, a new lens or two, a tripod… the list goes on! Trying to learn contentment as I wink at God with those big, bold prayers!
Pet Peeve: Wah! You know how some people blare their car horn loudly, though you’re walking right ahead of them…? A small, polite honk would do the job just fine… Aki, please just stop. 🙁
Let’s be nicer to one another folks. 🙂
Playing: Yanni’s Greatest Hits- instrumentals music. It’s a calming escape while working.
Reading: ‘Show Your Work’ by Austin Kleon and ‘A Game of Thrones’ by George R. Martin.
The first book comes highly recommended by fellow creatives: Josh Kisamwa and Tj.
For some odd reason, it’s taken me a whole year to read through ‘A Game of Thrones’, but lately it’s become ‘un-put-down-able’! 😀
Tip:
>You can order both books on Amazon or read via Kindle 🙂
Sorting: Through the content we collected on our #DestinationLaikipia tour… Can’t wait to share the posts with you! Serious wanderlust coming your way, so stay tuned…. 😉

Photo Credit: Tj the-mentalyst
Wanting: To spend time with my nephew & niece more often. They grow up so fast and I don’t want it to pass me by…
Also, is it me or are people all about getting babies and getting hitched lately? 😀
Watching: A lot of Lisa Nichols inspiring videos. Her life story literally made me tear up…
I save Liza Koshy videos for when I need a quick pick-me-up & laugh. She is super hilarious! 😀
Wishing: I knew how to make myself love eating Oats! Goodness, why is it such a struggle?
Working: On becoming the best version of myself. We are all ‘works in progress’, with the key word being: progress.
Let’s make this a thing, shall we? 🙂
Thank you for reading… hope you enjoyed getting to know my quirky side a little better.
If you try out any of the above, be sure to share your experiences… I love reading your feedback and suggestions, don’t hold back- leave a comment down below. 🙂 😉
I hope that as we go through this year, you will check back on these January Posts often… And you will find something to hopefully, uplift your spirits, inspire and keep you going!
<<Love and Light. Stay Inspired Always>>
23 Comments
Irene Nyabuto
February 2, 2018 at 11:41 amThanks quirky Marion. Enjoyed the read!
Scrapbook Journeys
February 7, 2018 at 7:38 pmYay! Glad to hear it! Thank you Irene! 😀
Stella Nguu
January 27, 2018 at 7:57 pmLoved your quirky side
Scrapbook Journeys
January 30, 2018 at 10:57 amWow, thank you Stella! Always a pleasure to read from you! Hehe that’s super encouraging. 🙂
Mitha
January 26, 2018 at 7:31 amI love the positivity on this post and I’m glad you’re enjoying the speaker .
Looking forward to reading such posts from you.
Scrapbook Journeys
January 30, 2018 at 10:56 amI truly am enjoying it. And thank you for reading, and sharing in the positivity. You rock miss Mitha! Baraka tele 🙂 Cheers to more!:D
Patricia
January 25, 2018 at 10:01 pmKeep going gal I love and admire your spirit a great way to start the year
Scrapbook Journeys
January 30, 2018 at 10:54 amWawee! Thank you a whole lot Pat! 😀 I pray you have a most victorious 2018! 😀 We #KeepOn
Muthoni
January 25, 2018 at 4:33 pmI love Lisa Nichol’s videos too. And I’ll look into the show your work book. Remember to send invite to your wanderlust adventures ☺️
Scrapbook Journeys
January 30, 2018 at 10:50 amHi Muthoni! Whoa thank you for reading! Lisa Nichols is an amazing woman, glad to hear you love her videos too! And yes I will, twende twende!! 😀
Lornah
January 25, 2018 at 4:07 pmTotally enjoyed reading this ! you should do this more often. I am so glad that you overcame that fear, mmh taking the tips too and maybe might try taking stock either in a video form or blog post 🙂
Scrapbook Journeys
January 30, 2018 at 10:49 amOh wow, thanks a lot Lornah. Yes, I am glad I overcame this fear. And yes, I look forward to doing this more often, till the fear monster is slayed kabisa. Whoop Whoop! Go for it mama! Looking forward to reading and/or watching your Taking Stock Post! Yaay 😀
Vivian
January 25, 2018 at 1:46 pmThis is lovely. I enjoyed every bit of it. At one moment I felt like dropping everything and joining you in This journey
Scrapbook Journeys
January 30, 2018 at 10:47 amWhoa thanks Viv! It means a lot! I appreciate the read! Sending warm thoughts your way today! 😀
Christine Kenanda
January 25, 2018 at 1:33 pmThanks for the book recommendations.
I’m with you on struggling to live oats. I add bananas to sweeten it.
Vaga brothers are the bomb.
So true on that babies part; since last year.
Christine Kenanda
January 25, 2018 at 1:31 pmThanks for the book recommendations.
I’m with you on struggling to live oats. I add bananas to sweeten it.
Vaga brothers are bond.
So true on that babies part; since last year.
Scrapbook Journeys
January 30, 2018 at 10:46 amHey anytime! And let me know how you like them 🙂 Lol, Oats are little monsters, but we’ll slay them too, right? Haha
Eish looks like ’tis the season to populate the world eh? Blessings galore 😀
Lavender
January 25, 2018 at 12:41 pmI totally love Taking stock posts. I done read all the bloggers who’ve done them and i’m super excited you’re in on it too! I’m looking forward to all your taking stock posts now. Cheers!
Scrapbook Journeys
January 30, 2018 at 10:44 amNiice! Oh wow, I am honestly so glad you enjoyed the read! Thank you for taking the time to comment and Yes, cheers to more! 😀
Wanjiku
January 25, 2018 at 11:41 amI promise to remind you two things:
To take water when I order for my Fanta.
….and to definitely a trip to a new country. We must. So if it was your personal getaway plan another with me. Lol
….AND to pester you to do Rwanda again if only just to visit lake KIVU.
Else I wish you the very best this new season. You got goals and I know you will reach each at a time. You will
Scrapbook Journeys
January 25, 2018 at 11:48 amHahaha… Aki unless it’s Fanta Citro? That one we must take together right? Hehe 😀
And I bet you know what that means too… Rwanda twasija, so help us God! 🙂 You know I am always, always game! 😉
Thank you miss Thuo, I truly pray that God will give us an amazing year… Actually, I thank Him in advance for the amazing year ahead!! Let’s get it! 😀
Mirna Davis
January 25, 2018 at 9:30 pmYes dear, some of us like you put it we are” work in progress” Some of us have some goals this year, like getting into a healthy new you, visit new places and read more.
I love my kindle as can read multiple books at the same time. Some of my favor writers Dean Koons, Laura Joh Rowland and Marvin Gray.
Oatmeal is one of my favor breakfast meal. I add honey, sprinkle some cinnamon and sometimes I add some nuts or blueberries.
Yes, try and find time to spend with your love ones, as they are the one who truly c are about you.
Keep writing and have fun!
Scrapbook Journeys
January 30, 2018 at 10:52 amMirna! You are just the one! Anyone who loves Oats is my hero 😀 😀 Hmm… I think I will try that recipe, minus the nuts, and see how it goes *wish me luck, lots of it! 😀
Yay, thank you for sharing your favorite Writers, I will check them out 🙂
I pray you smash all your goals this year my dear. Thank you for reading, for sharing and for the support! Baraka tele! 🙂