The other day, our Wi-Fi died and we were without Internet or television for 36 hours. Yes, that includes Netflix. I'm at the age where I really cannot see anything up close and only use my phone browser in an absolute pinch. And the kids do not have data plans....

Scrolling through Facebook and singing the everybody-is-at-the-cottage-but-me blues? If for you, summer is a noun, not a verb, you may be feeling a bit deprived, but here are 14 ways to get the cottage experience without having access to a cottage.

1. Find an ice cream parlour. One of the...

There are many secrets to life -- go to bed early, stay out of debt, don't buy roadside shellfish unless you can see the ocean -- but one of my very favourites is to enlist a personal board of directors. Just as companies recruit a board of directors to help...

I'm currently in the middle of moving house. I've moved six times in eight years and, people, it never gets easier. There is something about putting all of your earthly possessions into boxes that is spiritually draining. And don't get me started on the soul-destroying nature of switching over one's...

Several years ago, my then-husband and I separated right before Valentine's Day. I was living deep in the heart of Stepford Wife country at the time and some of my neighbours decided to take up a collection to buy me a huge bouquet of pity roses. Salt, meet wound. I...

We are smack dab in the middle of winter, when the days are still short, the weather can be dreary, and the holiday bills are rolling in fast. Even if you started off the year with a heart full of good intentions, it can be hard to maintain your enthusiasm....

It's the most wonderful time of the year... for everybody else. At least that's how it can seem if this season you are dealing with less-than-perfect circumstances. Sickness, grief, and loss do not take a holiday and can be amplified during the hap-hap-happiest season of all. If you are expecting...

The other day, I had a reading with a medium. Yes, an "I see dead people" medium. I was curious. I'd heard amazing things about this woman from people I like and respect. Plus, I could justify it as "research for my novel" (in truth, a lot of things fall...

A few weeks ago, I was in an extremely dark place. When you've survived trauma, it's unnervingly easy to slide back into the depths. When I tumble into that headspace, there are a few things that can almost always pull me back out. Hopefully they might be helpful for you...

Last week, I finally saw The Martian. The film is, on the surface, about a botched space mission that leaves Matt Damon stranded on Mars. It's also a film for anyone who's found themselves thousands of miles away from the life they'd planned. If you've lost a child, lost a...

Recently, I was playing Cards Against Humanity with friends. One of the scenarios played involved a famous historical leader and some figgy pudding. As we read the statement aloud, for some reason (aka red wine) it sounded strangely profound. Someone suggested we put it up on social media and attribute...

Recently, a friend asked me if I could help a neighbour whose life had fallen apart. I have the bittersweet reputation of being someone who has lived through some soul-shattering events and has managed to stay vertical, so she thought I might be able to offer some comfort and advice....

So, do you want to live your life like a boss, calling the shots and living on top? Consider living life like a boss. Here are six tips from the business world that can improve your personal life too.

1. Have a vision.

Any CEO worth her salt has...

As a business writer, people often ask me what books they should read to become better leaders. For years, my answer has been the same: read good fiction. If you want to learn how people think and behave, read a novel, a short story, or a play.

A skilled...

Whenever I talk to someone who is making a big career change such as going back to work after staying home with kids, or leaving the corporate world to become an entrepreneur, one of the key stressors -- equal to mastering a new skill set or learning to embrace a...

When I found out that they were making a live-action movie version of Cinderella, I was thrilled. I thought that this would be an opportunity to update the tired Princess-in-need-of-rescuing theme and inject a little girl power à la Frozen. Instead, I saw Downton Abbey's spirited Lady Rose squashed into...

Going back to work after taking time off to stay at home with your kids can be a daunting experience. One of the most challenging tasks is updating your resume, as you probably feel like you are faced with a blank space worthy of a Taylor Swift song. By following...

Once upon a time, you decided to take a few months away from your career to spend time with your new baby, or tend to a sick relative, or start your own business. Perhaps those months turned into years and you now find yourself wanting to return to the workforce,...