Stepping back to step back in

The Goods from Indie Maker Mode

Jul 06, 2025

Taking a rest
Time Management
North Star

Rest time

June was quite a month for our household. I didn’t even try to write or create during everything what was going on. All of my projects were on maintenance mode. I still haven’t updated any of my websites. It’s just too daunting right now.

I knew ahead of time about our appointments, so I downloaded a game and dealt with the stress by avoidance instead of creating or writing.

The bug to build hit me hard a couple of times, but I had already laid money into the plan for June. There was no going back.

So what I accomplished was nothing really, some notes, a couple of joyride photos.📸 I tried to get some extra rest. But I really spend quite a bit of time on Amazon Prime Video streaming movies. It was a nice break for my emotions.

I also played a game on my phone, which is very unlike my character. I don’t like to play in that way and feel it is a waste of time. But when my emotions are raw, like grief, or overwhelm, then I disappear into a stupid block game. I’m going to have to accept it as a necessary evil for those times my emotions need a break. I should be wishing it a moment of gratitude for its protection.

Time Management

Even during my month of rest, I’m still coming across resources such as email newsletter, socials TL posts, etc. It’s not something I can completely ignore. It’s in front of me at my JOB. So I’ve been trying to minimize any processes' so that I can come back strong without tripping on a pile of junk.

A couple of things I’ve been making good use of recently has been

FileRev
Trello & Super Trello
Agenda Hero
Substack Chat & Notes
PDF24
Google Maps

FileRev

FileRev was helping me find duplicate photos [all files], I just concentrated on photos due to my postcard collection & Murals. I actually use this in 2 of my Google drives now, for my family photos, and the other is for my projects. It’s been a significant help for finding duplicates in strange folders I didn’t realize I even had. Such a great tool. I went ahead and joined the affiliate program.

Trello & Super Trello

Everyone knows Trello, but I found a cool Chrome extension that turns it into a superpower.

It pops up in a sidebar to save a page in your Trello boards. I’m up to 9 boards now for project planning. This extension makes it pretty easy and has a screenshot helper. I wish it had an affiliate program. I’d join in a heartbeat. Check out Super Trello

Agenda Hero

Agenda Hero is something I’m enjoying so much. I may have mentioned it before, but It’s turning into my biggest email helper for events calendar on

Postcard Whisperer

.
I’m also looking for ways to use it for

Navigating Schizophrenia

support groups &

Gratitude In Bloom

Gratitude gatherings. It’s such a useful tool for me.

I didn’t have to build any additional google calendars. Instead, I’m able to set up the event calendar with Agenda Hero and follow it on my calendar. It also allows you to save individual events to your own calendar.

The biggest help it’s been for me is to read emails with club and show events and lay them out one by one on the calendar. So amazing.

No affiliate link yet here either. I just jump on the bandwagon early if I find something so useful!

PDF24

This is a tool that is essential at work, because evidently no one else there knows how to split or merge PDFs. It’s okay. I keep this on the bookmark bar within easy reach when they email with their nice-nasty requests. Found this from a fellow Small Bets member. A good community makes all the difference. I think it’s a Gumroad community now, so if you have items on Gumroad, you are already a member. Look me up there and tell me you joined!

Google Maps

Maps is great for connecting in the local community. It can help you make a name for your side hustle projects. Becoming a community guide, uploading murals, postcard shops, joyride & Saunter stops, pictures are the biggest draw. Set up your Google business profile and get started by contributing to the community. It will get you noticed with time. Be sure to be nice while giving your honest opinions.
Every time I take Shade for a joyride or a meal, we take a picture to share. Sharing is caring. It helps others. It may help someone like Shade, in the future too!

Be sure to set up your business profile too. Someday you're going to need it!

`North Star🌟`

We are undergoing a tremendous transition at our home within the Family. Papi had to return to El Salvador for reentry. One of the boys had immigration court after 8 years of waiting on them.

Shade has been more calm physically, but her mind is less stable. It’s a strange turn of things, but that is to share in

Navigating Schizophrenia

It’s clear that we need to build her a forever home 🏡 I’m not sure how to accomplish it. I just have to have faith that taking care of others is the way forward. It will set us on the path to fulfill our purpose of caring for each other.

Hacienda Melvina is a physical project that will need study, planning, finances, and flexibility. The path may wobble or turn, but the destination is clear.

We continue to head for our North Star 🌟 Keep doing Good and sharing The Goods.

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Here is your invite to try it out.