Who Is This Person?



Hi! Welcome to my little blog, Life in the Woods. I hope you find it comfortable and inviting.


My name is Sharilee, and I love writing. Writing is my way of reaching out, one reader at a time.


This blog inspired by my life in a Manitoba forest. Wherever you live, whether it be in a deep forest like me, or a high-rise apartment in New York City, I hope I inspire you to appreciate the beauty around you, inside and beside you. 
Who Am I?

For many years, the public knew me as “Mrs. Swaity,” the teacher. My days were spent in the classroom. My evenings and weekends consumed by lesson plans and marking. I loved it, but I was getting burned out. The relentless pace exhausted me and my body told me something was wrong. I was stressed and unhealthy.

And at the same time, something deep inside of me called out to create. I loved helping students write, but I wanted to challenge myself as a writer. During the Christmas and Easter break, I wrote feverishly. I began to realize there wasn't enough time for all of the writing I wanted to do, and all the teaching that I wanted to do. So, I had to choose. My health or my job. Teaching or writing. 

In June 2014, I gave my resignation. It was very difficult. I knew I would miss the kids. I felt guilty about abandoning them. I was conflicted about leaving my colleagues, and no longer contributing. And I was uncertain about how I would pay my share of the bills.  

But I did it anyways. Since then, I have been writing every day. I joined the Writer's Freelance Den, where I have been learning the business of freelance writing. I have a book in the works. I updated my blog. And I am talking to businesses about their communication needs and querying publications with story ideas. 

So, who am I? I am a writer-teacher.  I teach through my writing, just as I did in the classroom. I love to communicate, to share, to enlighten. I like to be well-prepared, knowing what to do next. I welcome engagement. I love to connect. I hope I can connect with you.
My Beliefs

I believe that every student is capable of learning, 


I believe every person is beautiful in his or her own way. 

I believe writing is the best kind of therapy.

I believe sunsets are God's form of painting. 

I believe Jesus is God and died for each one of us. 

 My Frivolities 

Drink chai tea daily. 

Devour guacamole and tacos. 


Follow politics closely.

Love on my three cats. 

Waste time on Pinterest semi-regularly.

Walk with my gorgeous husband whenever possible. 
Also find me here ... 

Writer's website: Sharilee Swaity

Online articles: Hubpages

Love of kitties: cat website

Journaling Passion: journaling website. 

Creative writing: poetry blog

Faith Writing: devotional blog.  

Content curation: seven topics at Scoop It


My Request To You

Thanks for visiting! I hope you like what you see. 

If you would like to not miss anything, You can also follow through the Facebook page: or on Google Plus, or by following link: E-Mail Sign-Up. 

And please, if you like what you are reading, leave a comment. 


Thanks again! 

13 comments:

  1. Wow, Sharilee! I am surprisingly, unexpectedly excited I came across your blog! Thanks to the blogging challenge group, I am very grateful I decided to visit and "meet" you. I am a very "non-nature" gal, and yet your writing was beautiful, pleasant, and very conversational. Thanks for sharing your story and keeping it real with your transition from city to "the bush." Looking forward to reading more!

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  2. Sharisse, welcome! I am so glad you came over and enjoyed the blog even you are not really into nature. Thank you so much for your comment about my writing...you made my day. Take care!

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  3. Nice! I really enjoy your format and look forward to reading more posts too.

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  4. Kaleidoscopeimpressions ... thank you. Nice to have you along!

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  5. Great to see you pursuing your dream of writing. I'm out in Alberta but am a B.C. boy at heart. I need to take a trip to the mountains and do some reflecting on my writing.

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  6. Rick, thanks for visiting and for your comment! I see from your Google Plus profile, you are in Red Deer. I lived there once in the 80's and used to go every summer to visit my grandparents there. My Grandma and a few other family members still live there. I love how much park space there is there!

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  7. I love ( and admit to being envious) of what you're doing here. I also found you via the Jeff Goins blogging group. I also love how much you have going on with your blog. Lots for the reader to do with out feeling overwhelmed. I'm definitely going to be looking to your blog as a source of inspiration for my own blog and my own writing, as well as it's just enjoyable to read.

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  8. I'm so glad that you're still "teaching" :) My husband was a middle school science teacher for seven years and had to leave because of the toll it took on his health. I'm also participating in Jeff Goins' intentional blogging challenge and I enjoy reading your "about" page :) I plan to visit often!

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  9. Ack. This is my third attempt at commenting, let's hope it works. I found your blog through the Intentional Blogging challenge as well, and I'm happy that I did. You are an inspiration for your lifestyle, writing and the commitment it took for you to be where you are.

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  10. I love your tag line - Let's start seeing the beauty around us, inside us, and beside us! It's awesome. The eyes of your readers will be opened to beauty they didn't even know existed. Best wishes!!

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  11. @WhatIWroteonLunch, thanks so much for visiting, and for your encouraging words. I am so glad if I can be inspirational in some way. You made my way! Take care.

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  12. @cagolden, it is so nice to meet you from the challenge. Teaching is a VERY stressful job. And thanks so much for the encouraging words. Take care!

    @Tony, thank you so much for your encouraging words! I am sorry for the trouble you had commenting on thank you so much for visiting. I loved your blog, too, and it's so nice to have fellow bloggers to cheer each other one. Take care!

    @Debra, thank you so much for your wonderful words of encouragement. It is my hope that I can help people appreciate beauty. I think seeing the beauty around us, really helps to get through some harder times in life. Take care and have a great evening!

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  13. Happened upon your excellent resource for Teachers making Shakespeare fun - sorry for messaging here but couldn't find any other way to email you. I rewrote a twitter version of Romeo and Juliet for Shakespeare's 400th anniversary this year and wondered if it's of any use within your excellent feature! https://blog.fromtheboxoffice.com/2016/04/22/romeo-juliet-twitterfeud/ - thanks and thanks for helping teachers - I know Shakespeare can be daunting

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