Got a 2024 Convo Starter?

Picture this: People are unexpectedly coming to you to say something fun and friendly; it puts a smile on their faces and yours. I hit the jackpot with my sparkly white hat; it's truly a conversation starter. Everywhere I go, people stop me and tell me they love my captivating cap. ?

I was at Costco recently and a young woman came over to me and exclaimed her love of my hat and showed off the sparkles embedded on her teeth. I didn’t know that was a thing — dazzling dentals. That’s a convo starter too! We had a laugh about what inspired her and now follow each other on Instagram. (See @stefbee13). ?

Then I was walking down my Toronto hood and this older-than-me woman stepping out with her grandson stopped me and said we were like twin cities with her black sparkly hat and my white one. We did a hug and hello pic together. Fun!

At the Madonna concert?I recently went to, I opted to wear my sparkly hat indoors too, and I got stopped by a few people in the concourse. They cherished it (ha!) and asked where they could buy it.

Everyday I wear this hat, I’m hit with hellos and fun-raising love.?

Now my friends say: “Hey, you look like a walking party.” Ok, I like that. Then another says, “You’re like a disco ball” Right!

Just call me the "Walking Disco Ball.” Love it!?

Now, I’m a friendly type who loves connecting with people, so maybe I just attract this naturally, yet I think it’s worth thinking about a conversation starter for 2024. Who needs a resolution, try something fun instead!

Simple connections and conversations are lifts that are gifts in our lives.

Wear something winter wonderful or go up to someone and compliment them on a unique accessory. Smile, it's contagious -- even as we embark on a period of bundle-me-up-to-the-brim in layered clothing. Get visible with something that gets some attention and connects with your fellow humans: A hat, a scarf, a funky pair of gloves, those colorful leg warmers, a pin, colorful glasses…

Express Yourself. Open Your Heart to the fun button and get Into the Groove for Fun! Watch out, Madonna coming out in me again!

?Speaking of Madonna, she’s a huge artistic inspiration on my “Love” journey. Here’s my updated snapshot:

?I’m writing my first novel and I’m about 100 days in. I started writing this “novel novel” on Oct. 10 after getting rejected for a full-time job that aligned with where I wanted to go. I was discouraged yet realized that things happen for a reason. One door closes and another opens; I just said to myself: I'm going to start a book as I continue to look for a challenging, interesting full-time position (Still on that — just saying;).

In three months, I’m on chapter six, writing in a new genre for me and getting cheered on by everyone: my family, my friends, my professional peeps, my host families in Sweden and France and casual acquaintances. To my delight and gratitude, many have said they'd buy the book no matter where it lands. They have also been my muses, contributing ideas to my Love bucket.

I'm getting amazing support from my peeps in Canada, the U.S., Sweden, France and Japan!

?I’m having the time of my life writing this first fiction, fulfilling a 30-year dream and finally writing for me. I’m going Wabi-sabi style and diving into discomfort writing three stories that are weaved together; let’s just say Madonna’s song Erotica is in the arena! Yep, the first storyline is a juicy one, while the others are “far out.”

My deadline -- as I always need one being a former journalist -- is early this year — and finishing this novel is my success marker. I’m not stopping until it comes to life no matter how long it takes. After that, whatever publishing format it comes in is the topper! Self-published, erotic blockbuster with Netflix deal (ha ha)! All is possible with perseverance and collaboration (you are my muses and partners!).

Capping off and continuing my fun-raising for love adventure.

I’d love you to come along!

Please follow me at:

@StefBee13 on Instagram

stefbee13 on Threads

StefanieBLI on X / formerly Twitter

LinkedIn page

More to come as just ramping up in 2024!

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