Favorite Things & Resources for You - January 2024 Edition

Hello, and happy 2024 everyone! Over a rare slow weekend where Kyle was making all the carbohydrates, I got inspired to write a personal and business update on how 2024 is going for me so far.

Next thing I knew I had a whole page of exciting things I wanted to share and here it is.

Personal Update:

After a busy, hectic last quarter of 2023, I was really happy to take some time this January to slow down, soak up time with my family and figure out my business plan for 2024.

It’s been so nice to lean into the dream space and start embodying my word of the year, settled.

I’ve definitely been feeling more settled, mixed with moments of looking for what’s wrong and needs to be fixed. My hunch is that it will continue to be an ebb and flow of leaning into settledness, and periodically being pulled back into worry.

Inviting Space

Another word that keeps coming up in my daily journaling practice - space.

Space, space, space. I didn’t realize how little space I give myself during the week and found myself being so grateful for the extra space I had in my calendar recently.

I’m recognizing there is probably a link between settledness and space. Note to self.

Bringing in Creativity

I’ve never really seen the appeal of “going shopping” but this year Kyle and I are doing some updates and upgrades to the house so I’ve been making more outings to antiques stores and Home Goods.

I have to admit, it’s been pretty fun getting creative in that way again!

Back in September, I cleaned out all the stale decorations that have collected dust for years and definitely did not spark joy anymore, but I never replaced anything!

So we’ve been living in a bit of a blank slate and it’s now driving me crazy. I’ve had several fun shopping dates with my mom and sister (the definitive decorators in our family) and Kyle and I have made several trips looking for new appliances.

The first two years in our house was nothing but construction and updates, so after three years of coasting as things are, we’re ready to start dumping time and money back into this cute little gem. In addition to new appliances, we’re hoping to do backsplash in the kitchen, new tile in the upstairs shower and redo the crickety old stairs.

The stairs feel like the biggest (and most important) project, but also the most overwhelming. Where does one even start when replacing stairs?? I’m sure we’ll find out!

8 Years, Baby!

In addition to space and some fun home updates happening, Kyle and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary this month! It was pretty chill this year since Kyle left the day after our anniversary for a work trip. We spent the evening at one of our favorite restaurants, Wooden City, and wrapped it up with lots of playtime with Winston - I wouldn’t have it any other way.

And A Big Birthday

Lastly, am I counting down the last days of my 30s? Yes. I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting on this decade of my life, which has been my favorite by far, and I’m looking forward to sharing more about that in the coming weeks. Make sure you’re on my newsletter list to hear all my thoughts and feels.

Biz Update:

As it typically goes, the month went by in a flash and I’m still trying to figure out what I want the heck I want to focus on in my business in 2024.

One thing I know for sure is I want to do things differently.

Right now, I feel really bored and annoyed with Instagram and am realizing the ROI is just not there. It never really has been. Painful but true.

So I’m most likely going to stop posting on Instagram as a marketing strategy and focus more on personal updates and connecting with my peeps - FOR FUN!!

Plus, Instagram does not fulfill my personal (and biz) value of Connection.

As a matter of fact I often feel disconnected and disassociated after just a few minutes on Instagram, not to mention the thoughts of “why the fuck did I just waste 30 minutes of my precious time looking at this crap?”

Looking for True Connection

Instead of going BIG and focusing on a global reach, this year I’ve decided to focus locally and build a referral network.

I attended a womxn-only networking event this month with Tacoma Boss Ladies and it was so amazing! It feels great to be making in-person connections again and I met so many incredible women business owners that I’m stoked to support.

I’m already looking forward to next month’s event. With that being said, my focus will be on collaborating with other women business owners who share my values.

If you are interested in collaborating and want to pitch me an idea, message me here with the subject line “would love to collaborate.” Can’t wait to hear from you!

More Insight (Timer!)

You’ll also be seeing me a bit more on Insight Timer in 2024.

Last year, I needed to take a step back from Insight Timer because 1) I was spread too thin and, 2) there were changes made on IT that I didn’t agree with and did not support the creators, the very people that make IT what it is.

Since then a lot has changed, including my attitude and energy levels. Hooray! And honestly, the longer I’ve been away, the more I miss it!

I love-love-love the community we’ve built over there and I’m really excited to create new meditations as well. Make sure you’re following me here so you’ll get notifications of when new classes are scheduled.

And if you’re not on Insight Timer yet - awesome news - it’s FREE!

Next Steps - I’d Love Your Thoughts 💜

A few other wonderful things floating around in my mind regarding biz are:

Well, I actually know the answer to that last question, which is YES! I will be hosting my first retreat in November this year! Stay tuned for more info dropping in April.

For the other questions, I’m giving myself until the end of February to make those decisions. I’m finding there to be so much freedom in not rushing the process!

And with that, I’ve had SO many ideas for new products I want to create! The list is long so I’ll be spending February narrowing it down so make sure you come back next month to hear what I’ll be creating in 2024!!

A Writing Update

Lastly, this is a bit of a business + personal update, but I hired a writing mentor coach for the second time, the amazing Megan Hayes, and I’m really excited to work on a book / project as well as improve my craft. Could there be a finished product by the end of 2024?! We’ll see!

Things I’m Loving:

Ok, now onto the products, classes and other random goodness I’ve been loving this month!

💜 If there’s something YOU loved this last month, make sure you tell me in the comments below! 💜

The Best Books

I recently started The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest and although it’s a bit more “heady” than I was initially expecting, I’ve had some stopped-dead-in-my tracks moments while reading it. So far, I recommend.

When I was visiting with my sister a couple weeks ago she handed me Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta and said, “read this and tell me if it makes you cry.” Well, I’m halfway through and I haven’t cried yet, but it’s a great book!

A Book That Takes It’s Time by Irene Smit and Astrid van der Hulst is just one of those cozy books you could come back to and read over and over and over again.

I LOVE how interactive it is! It literally asks you to slow down, be playful and engage in life. Couldn’t recommend this book more!

A Few More Favorite Finds

Random awesome finds on Amazon this month goes to the Cordless Hand Blender. We made the most delicious pasta sauce with this thing! Great quality!

I’m really excited about this 5-day Embracing Imperfection course happening in February through Grateful.org!

That’s all for this month, amazing humans. I hope you enjoyed these little updates. Happy January (soon to be February) darling faces!

Happiness & Positivity, InspirationAshley LookerComment