Happy first Friday of March, friends!
I hope this week has went well for all of you. It has flown by so quickly for me, and it was one of those weeks that didn’t go to plan. I wanted to have so much done by today, and here I am with a big to-do list.
We will see how much I can get through today! 🙂
I just wanted to pop on for a moment with a few updates that you can tune in for, and I would absolutely love your thoughts on a potential upcoming blog post series below!
Feature at Sharing Life’s Moments
As some of you may know if you follow my socials (if not, it’s the best way to stay up to date!), I was featured in Sharing Life’s Moments March Blogger Advertisers post. Crystal is phenomenal and has been an awesome supporter over the years.
Please be sure to go check out my feature, comment on the post, and visit the other wonderful ladies listed in the post as well!
Erin Condren Spring SSB
The time has almost come! Ahh, I am so excited to share with you these goodies here on the blog and on my socials. Each item is a gem and I have no doubt you’ll find some new items to love! If you haven’t ordered your box and would like to, there’s still time! I’m sure they are getting close to being sold out, so don’t wait if you really want to buy it!
I’m going to share a few items on my IG Stories TODAY! Out of an abundance of caution, I’m only sharing the items that Erin Condren has already shared a photo or quick video of so far! Then I’ll be sharing with you all the things next week! I will also make sure to mention a spoiler alert prior to even sharing the items that have already been shared by EC.
I know that the element of surprise is an essential piece to this box and I don’t want to be the person to ruin it for anyone out there, especially on my very first collab with Erin Condren!
Hustle Culture vs Slowing Down
This update is more of a request! I have had this topic of hustle culture (think boss babe, push it to the limit, etc.) on my mind for what seems like months now. I want to write about it, and most definitely it will be more of a series because I know I can’t do it justice by just one post. Honestly, I think I’m afraid to write even the first post because I fear I won’t do it justice at all!
My personal thoughts on hustle culture have really changed over the past couple of years. I think it’s almost controversial because people tend to be 100% on one side or the other, versus kind of understanding a balance of the two. Can there even be a balance?
That’s a wrap on my updates so far, friends! I hope that you have a fantastic rest of your Friday and have a wonderful weekend! Don’t forget to check my IG Stories a little later today to see those few items that I’ll be sharing from the surprise box, if you are interested!
![Thoughts on 2020 & My Word for 2021 BEFORE READ-MORE Let’s be honest, 2020 was a tough year! I had a whole lot of beautifully-laid out plans that unfortunately just didn’t happen. Partly because of the pandemic, and partly because of my mindset. I found myself just sort of depressed and couldn’t really find the motivation I needed. Thankfully, ever since the holidays, I’ve felt like this universal shift is coming and things are going to be so much brighter this year. I’m definitely pouring all of my positive energy into making my goals happen this year, no matter what things look like with the pandemic. I have to realize that it’s not within my control what happens in the world. I just have control over myself. I wanted to share with you my biggest takeaways from last year. I want to stay mindful of these three things during 2021, and beyond. Plus, I’ll be sharing my word for this year at the bottom! Take Care of Your Loved Ones This past year tore us away from our family and friends. It was heartbreaking for so many, especially to those who are now grieving over some of them. As each year passes, it is almost always on my mind that some of my loved ones may not make it to see another year. That probably sounds very morbid and daunting, and is probably just a result of my life experiences. But it has opened my eyes to really pay special attention to those I love the most. I want to show them that I care while they are here. I want them to know without a doubt that I’m there for them and will do anything in my power to help them. I work very hard to not take anyone for granted because we never know when our time is up. Protect Your Peace I learned how important protecting my peace was last year. I felt like I was going through a multitude of things. Some of the things that were bothering me the most, I couldn’t even control and didn’t directly involve me. They involved loved ones. I’m sure many of you have had similar situations where you have family members that can sometimes play a toxic role in your life. As a result, I really needed to rely on creating healthy boundaries and sticking to those. It’s an ongoing difficult situation for me, but I have truly handled it better than I ever have before. I hope to continue to grow in this area and get better with those healthy boundaries. Try to Control What You Can Control (Not What You Can’t) This one is pretty much directly tied to what I just mentioned about protecting my peace. I’ve spent so much time (that I can never get back) stressing myself out over things I can’t control. Mostly in regard to loved ones, but also the world as a whole. While I choose not to talk politics in this space, I think we all can agree that things have just been a mess in the United States for the past year and even right now. The pandemic, the mud-slinging, all of the sad news that’s plastered all over the tv or our social media...it’s just exhausting. I just had to cut out most of the news because it was so depressing. Short of voting and praying for things to get better, that’s really all I can control. The rest of it will be what it will be, and I’m really trying to remind myself that each day. My Word for 2021 is Growth I’ve been flip-flopping between ‘change’ and ‘growth’ for my word this year. I realized what I wanted for this year was way more like ‘growth’ than ‘change.’ My thought process on using ‘change’ was that I was creating these new habits that were going to be life-changing and help really boost me to achieving my goals. When I thought about it a little more, I realized ‘growth’ really summarizes what I want to embody this year the best. It still requires change to happen, but it just seems like a better fit to choose ‘growth.’ [PIN] I hope you’ve gained a little something from reading this post, friend. I’m wishing you an amazing week filled with lots of joy. ust on a fun side note, I’m looking forward to watching The Bachelor and WandaVision this week. Do you have any fun shows/things in general you’re looking forward to? Let’s Chat! Do you identify with any of these takeaways from 2020? Have you chosen a word for this year? Fun question: Have you been watching The Bachelor this season?](https://i0.wp.com/www.makelifemarvelous.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Thoughts-on-2020-and-Word-for-2021.png?fit=150%2C126&ssl=1)
I would love to hear a series on hustle culture! I have learned that sometimes we need to not strive and rest. God call us to do this! So yes on this topic. Congrats on your feature and will try to watch your stories today. Happy weekend Ashley!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much for your thoughts, my dear friend! Yes, I absolutely agree with what you said! God continually reminds us to lean on Him and not to stress, and while it’s probably impossible to not stress at times, I feel like we often get more stressed if we are constantly striving and hustling for success. Hope you have the very best weekend, Kathrine! 🙂
I would be very interested in a series on Hustle Culture.
Thanks, momma! 🙂
I definitely strive for a balance so I’m not about hustle culture. But it can be easy to be inadvertently swept into trying to succeed. I’d love to see a series on it!
Love hearing your perspective Laura, and I agree with you! I’ve found so much more peace since I started being more intentional, versus driving myself into the ground to be successful. Thank you tons!
Would love to hear all about the hustle culture! I would like to think I see both sides and I think I partake in both at different times in my life.
Thank you tons, Autumn! I can truly relate. I feel like I was 150% for hustle culture (like no balance at all) awhile back, and then I’ve certainly had slower times where I’ve just tried to protect my peace. I like to think I’m somewhere in-between the two most of the time now.
Maintaining a sense of balance is beneficial. I enjoyed hearing your viewpoint, Laura.
https://www.melodyjacob.com/
Balance is really important and I think it can definitely be found in the midst of hustling to get where you want to go, and yet, being more intentional and slowing down. Thanks so much Melody!
I am always interested in mindset and hustle culture! Some things I have been thinking about lately and have been listening to podcasts about is getting more done in less time, remaining consistent even when no results vs increasing work time thinking that will help. Having belief in yourself.
Thank you tons, Kristina! I love all of that friend, it’s so very true!
I like the idea of hustle culture in terms of you giving your opinion on the topic. I think people tend to go and strive and forget about what is most important in life, taking care of yourself I have a chronic disease and I know first hand that regardless if we like it or not, we have to put ourselves first and rest as much as we can. Our body is like a car, it needs fuel and can break down. So by taking it easy more and recharging we can be better off in the long run. Have an amazing weekend. https://www.bauchlefashion.com/2023/03/controversy-surrounding-discontinuing.html
Thank you tons for your input, Heather, it means so much! I feel for you, I can only imagine how difficult it would be to have a chronic disease. Absolutely agree with you that it is a necessity to take care of ourselves, even if it’s the last thing we want to do at times. Love your analogy here and it is so very true. My weekend went well, and I hope yours did too, friend!
It’s great you had the feature! I think that the series on hustle culture sounds like it would be really interesting, and you would definitely do it justice! I’d like to read your thoughts on it!
Thank you tons on both notes, that is so kind of you!! I appreciate that so much!
I know what you mean about hustle culture I feel like I never have the time to slow down, and I always like I am behind the 8 ball. But I do use Sundays to decompress: no phone, no social media, no work, no computer. I just chill and binge Netlfix.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Definitely! It can be so tough to balance for sure, but I absolutely love that you use Sundays to decompress. That sounds fantastic and I bet it is so helpful!! I need to try that!
I’d love to see your Hustle vs. Slowing Down series! I will say, I am one that def. could slow down… I’m kind of a busy body type of person, though. Ha, ha! That EC box is so pretty, esp the tulips cover you shared. Congrats on your feature again!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you tons, friend! Haha, yes, you are always a busy bee, but honestly you mostly don’t have a choice with a lot of stuff! The tulips are so so pretty, and thank you again on the feature note! 🙂
The series on hustle culture sounds interesting.
Annie,
Annies Food Diary
Aww, thank you Annie!! I appreciate the feedback so much!
Congrats on your feature, Ashley, and I would be very interested to read your thoughts on hustle culture. I am definitely leaning towards slowing down this year and enjoying the moment!
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Thank you tons Julia, on both notes! I am right there with you in many cases, or at least somewhat of a balance. I feel like I really have to hustle on this blog, but in other areas, would love to sort of calm that a bit.
Congrats on your feature! Will check that out next! I would love to read a series on hustle culture and any tips on finding a balance!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Aww, thank you SO much Jill! I truly appreciate that and will definitely be sharing the hustle culture series and will be sure to include those tips!
Oof, you’ve touched on a topic that has been plaguing me for the past year. It’s so difficult to stop and rest – or even indulge in a hobby – when hustle culture tells us we should always be working and monetizing. I’d love to read a series on this!
-Alyssa
wayward
Thank you SO much for your feedback, Alyssa! 🙂 I’m working on it right now as I’m typing this to you, so the first post should be out soon! I can completely relate – there are such conflicting viewpoints and I’m hoping we can find a nice balance on this by the time we finish the series!