Embracing the Season - Your Guide to Enthusiastic Fall Spending

Written by David Dixon, EdS ~ 10/21/2024

As leaves change and the air turns crisp, fall presents a wonderful time to indulge in seasonal spending that aligns with the cozy and festive atmosphere. Let’s explore how to approach fall shopping enthusiastically and intentionally, making the most of this delightful time of year.

1. Wardrobe Refresh:
   Update your style with warm sweaters, stylish boots, and cozy scarves. Look for versatility that easily transitions from the chilly outdoors to indoor gatherings.
   
   Opt for sustainable brands that offer longevity and timeless appeal. 30 Of The Most Affordable Ethical And Sustainable Fashion Brands (2024)
   
   
2. Home Decor Delights:
   Add a touch of autumnal charm to your home with decorative pumpkins, rich-hued throw pillows, and scented candles that evoke the essence of fall. Embrace energy-saving lighting to add ambiance and reduce winter utility costs.
   
   Consider DIY projects to freshen furnishings and create unique personal flair.
   
   
3. Seasonal Experiences:
   Invest in experiences that are unique to fall, such as apple picking, pumpkin carving, or attending a local harvest festival. These memories last much longer than material possessions.
   
   
4. Culinary Adventures:
   Experiment with fall-inspired recipes using seasonal produce like apples, pumpkins, and butternut squash. Splurge on quality ingredients to create memorable meals.
   
   
5. Outdoor Exploration:
   Take advantage of the picturesque fall landscapes. Equip yourself with outdoor activities like photography, hiking, and nature walks. Purchase comfortable attire and gear that encourage you to embrace the great outdoors.
   
   
6. Personal-Care Splurges:
   Treat yourself to items like rich moisturizers, warm bath essentials, and scented oils. Create a relaxing, fall routine with aromatic pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon to unwind during this bustling season.
   
   
7. Holiday Preparation:
   Get ahead of your holiday shopping by taking advantage of fall sales and promotions. Plan your gift list and start purchasing thoughtful presents for loved ones.
   
   
8. Skill Development:
   Invest in personal growth by enrolling in fall courses or workshops. Whether learning to cook hearty soups or mastering a craft, fall is a great time to enhance your skills and open new doors of opportunity.

Approach fall spending with enthusiasm and purpose, focusing on experiences, personal growth, and items that enhance the beauty and coziness of the season. You'll create lasting memories and surround yourself with the spirit of fall in full splendor.

"Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons."
~ Jim Bishop

Resource:
• [UPDATED] NOAA Winter 2024/25 Early Forecast: La Niña Returns and What ...
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Written By: Sandi MacCalla, Founder - LifeSkills Academy ~ 10/14/2024

Global Life Skills Day is celebrated internationally on the third Thursday of October. Everyday life skills go beyond academic knowledge and prepare learners to navigate modern life successfully. From communication and problem-solving to emotional intelligence and financial literacy, these skills are essential for growth, resilience, well-being, and success.

Many believe this education happens at home or school. But, as we’ve seen worldwide, it does not. Between busy schedules, student activities, and tech fascination, many of us learn life skills the hard way – through trial and error – in the School of Hard Knocks. Or defined as regressive life skills learning - the process where individuals acquire essential life skills through challenging and negative experiences. Despite the difficulty, these experiences serve as powerful opportunities for growth and skill success.

The Global Presence founded by Marlaine Cover, 2009, stands as an inspiring movement of grassroots efforts promoting life skills. This volunteer network (12,000 professionals in 100+ countries) is providing vital training for successful adulthood. Marlaine's adulting journey, shared in her book "Kissing the Mirror," transparently reveals pivotal events that shaped her drive and focus. She transparently walks through personal events of understanding, growing, surviving, and succeeding today. Her story opened a deeper understanding for me and solidified my commitment for LifeSkills Academy.

How We Each Can Participate:

1. Volunteer and Mentor:
   • Offer time and expertise to mentor young people or participate in community programs that focus on life skills development.
   • Share practical knowledge related to communication, financial literacy, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.
     
     
2. Advocate for Curriculum Enhancement:
   • Encourage schools and educational institutions to incorporate life skills training into their curriculum.
   • Attend school board meetings or engage with educators to emphasize the importance of these skills.
     
     
3. Organize Workshops and Webinars:
   • Host community workshops or webinars on topics like time management, stress reduction, and decision-making.
   • Collaborate with local organizations or online platforms to reach a wide audience.
     
     
4. Support Nonprofits and NGOs:
   • Donate, volunteer, or participate in fundraising events.
     
     
5. Be a Lifelong Learner:
   • Continuously develop your own life skills.
   • Read, take online courses, and attend seminars to expand your knowledge.

Additional Resources:

• 7 Life Skills for Career Success (And How To Improve Them)
• Building the Skills Adults Need for Life: A Guide for Practitioners

Why Life Skills Education?

1. Empowers Individuals:
   • to make informed decisions, manage stress, communicate effectively, and build healthy relationships.
   • to enhance the adaptability, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, enabling us to thrive in diverse contexts.
     
     
2. Addresses Challenges in an Interconnected World:
   • Community organizations, mentorship programs, and online resources all play a part in equipping individuals with these practical skills.
   • Youth, in particular, play a crucial role in peacebuilding and sustainable development.
   • Life skills are essential to collaboratively impact global priorities, social inequality, and conflict resolution.

Global Life Skills Day is about nurturing well-rounded, resilient individuals who can thrive in an ever-changing world. Let us consider the power of everyday life skills and commit to a more inclusive, sustainable, and engaged future for all.

“Learning never stops, and neither does our journey
toward becoming better versions of ourselves!”
- Unknown

Additional Resources:
2. UNESCO-UNEVOC: World Youth Skills Day
3. UNESCO: World Youth Skills Day 2024
1. UNESCO's Global Skills Academy | UNESCO
1. The promising progress of the Global Skills Academy, a mission to ...
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LifeSkills Academy educators are professionals, some with academic backgrounds, and all have proven success in the world of commerce.

LifeSkills Academy features online learning for:

• Etiquette/Social Intelligence
• Financial Skills
• Adulting Practices.

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Written By: Sandi MacCalla, Founder - LifeSkills Academy ~ 10/7/2024

Life skills involve a wide range of abilities key to personal, social, and professional competency. Below, each item has a ranking (10 = BEST) to assess how you feel about your proficiency. Since this is only for you, be unapologetically honest with yourself.
Key life skills:

 Independence
The ability to take charge of your life, make decisions, and solve problems independently.
1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 Responsibility
How you exhibit being reliable, accountable, and dependable.
1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 Resilience
Assess your mental and emotional strength to bounce back from challenges and setbacks.
1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 Empathy
Your ability to understand your feelings and share the feelings of others.
1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 Self-regulation
Managing your emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and drive to achieve your goals.
1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 Adaptability
Your openness to new ideas and experiences and the ability to adjust to changing situations.
1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 Resourcefulness
Finding creative and effective ways to problem-solve.
1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 Communication
Expressing yourself effectively and listening to others.
1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 Problem-solving
Identifying and analyzing problems with clarity, developing creative strategies/solutions, and executing completion.
1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 Collaboration
Supporting and working effectively with others to achieve common goals.
1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

Now that you know, you can decide where you want to be and where to focus your efforts. Questions you may ask yourself:

• How can I improve my life skills in the areas where I ranked lower?
• What specific strategies can I use to enhance my problem-solving abilities?
• How can I support and assist others to improve their life skills?

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
- Mae West –

LifeSkills Academy features online learning including Adulting life skills. Sign up for news & class notices: https://www.lifeskillsacademy.expert 

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