The Connected Mom Life

When our friends experience something hard we want to show up for them. But figuring out how to do that can sometimes feel confusing and even a little overwhelming. In this episode, I'm sharing 5 ways to show up for friends when they're hurting so they can truly feel your love, care, and support as they grieve. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/109 Episode Mentions: Kate Bowler's Book: There's No Cure for Being Human CONNECTION CONUNDRUMS: Pursuing IRL friendship can sometimes be confusing, challenging, and uncertain. So, every other week on this show I want to address the ups and downs our community is experiencing. You can send me your questions or sticky situations and I'll respond to them in a future episode with some ideas and encouragement. Share Your Sticky Situation via Email or Instagram >> emily@theconnectedmomlife.com | @theconnectedmomlife LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Private Mom Friends Community FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave? FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Mentorship Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator

Part of why friendship in adulthood can feel so tricky is because we don't have any shared language to discuss what might be happening in (and to) our relationships as we navigate different seasons of life. In this episode, I'm joined by Alex Alexander, who is sharing with us a framework she has designed to give us exactly what we've been missing in our adult friendships: a clear way to think about and experience them so we can stop overthinking and assigning untrue stories, and start enjoying more of the authentic, life-giving connections we crave. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/108 Connect with Alex: Instagram @itsalexalexander Website + Friendship IRL Podcast CONNECTION CONUNDRUMS: Pursuing IRL friendship can sometimes be confusing, challenging, and uncertain. So, every other week on this show I want to address the ups and downs our community is experiencing. You can send me your questions or sticky situations and I'll respond to them in a future episode with some ideas and encouragement. Share Your Sticky Situation via Email or Instagram >> emily@theconnectedmomlife.com | @theconnectedmomlife LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Private Mom Friends Community  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Mentorship Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator

I recently carved out time for a personal retreat. And it was AMAZING. In this episode, I'm going to share the 5 questions I used to help guide me in planning it, how it actually played out, and what I will do differently next time (because, YES there will definitely be a next time!) SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/107 EPISODE MENTIONS: Episode 103: Vision Boards for Skeptics Episode 105: My Goals + Word of the Year Dr. Becky CONNECTION CONUNDRUMS: Pursuing IRL friendship can sometimes be confusing, challenging, and uncertain. So, every other week on this show I want to address the ups and downs our community is experiencing. You can send me your questions or sticky situations and I'll respond to them in a future episode with some ideas and encouragement. Share Your Sticky Situation via Email or Instagram >> emily@theconnectedmomlife.com | @theconnectedmomlife LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Private Mom Friends Community  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Mentorship Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator

Ever feel awkward trying to break into a conversation – especially when it feels like everyone around you already knows each other? It's definitely an intimidating feeling to try and join (or start!) a conversation from scratch. So, in this episode, I'm going to share a simple strategy I use in almost every scenario that gets me quickly plugged with minimal awkwardness. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/106 CONNECTION CONUNDRUMS: Pursuing IRL friendship can sometimes be confusing, challenging, and uncertain. So, every other week on this show I want to address the ups and downs our community is experiencing. You can send me your questions or sticky situations and I'll respond to them in a future episode with some ideas and encouragement. Share Your Sticky Situation via Email or Instagram >> emily@theconnectedmomlife.com | @theconnectedmomlife LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Private Mom Friends Community  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Mentorship Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator

My goal setting process seems to evolve every year and this year is no exception. In this episode I'm sharing how I approached goal setting this year, the prompts I used to surface what to focus on in 2024, and how I came to my word of the year. If you enjoy a good behind-the-scenes look at what someone else is leaning into (and out of!) in any given season, this one is for you. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/105 Mentions + Other Relevant Episodes >> Episode 23: My Annual Goal Setting Strategy (Plus, My 2021 Goals!) Episode 63 My Goal Setting Process: Looking Back to Better Look Ahead 10 Things to Tell You Podcast with Laura Tremaine Ep 198: 10 Questions for the End of the Year The Next Right Thing with Emily P Freeman Ep 309: How to Walk Into January Like a Soul Minimalist FRIENDSHIP AUDIT WORKSHOP | Wednesday, January 17thJoin us for this live workshop and get clear on who is filling you up, who is draining you, and who you might be missing in your circle so you can feel confident in WHO is going to get your limited time this year!  >> Register for the Workshop

Ever feel like your efforts to make new friends are going nowhere, despite showing up in all the right places? In this episode we'll unpack this oh-so-common frustration and explore why your efforts might not be getting you the connections you're craving – and what small shifts you can make to start seeing some traction in your friendships. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/104 Other Relevant Episodes >> Episode 19 - 5 Practices for Pushing Through the Awkwardness of Making New Friends Episode 20 - The Fear of Rejection is REAL. But How Likely is to ACTUALLY Happen? Episode 79 - Tackling our Mind Gremlins with Jess Critchlow FRIENDSHIP AUDIT WORKSHOP | Wednesday, January 17thJoin us for this live workshop and get clear on who is filling you up, who is draining you, and who you might be missing in your circle so you can feel confident in WHO is going to get your limited time this year!  >> Register for the Workshop

It's me. I'm the skeptic. After trying vision boards in the past, I had pretty much written them off as not for me. But recently, I'd seen some goal setting research that led me to think I should give them one more shot. But before I did, I wanted to talk to vision imagery expert, Maria Maldanado Smith about how I might approach it differently this time. If you've been on the fence about incorporating vision boarding into your goal setting process, this episode is a must listen. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/103 CONNECT with Maria >> Instagram Website Creating a Vision Board Workbook FRIENDSHIP AUDIT WORKSHOP | Wednesday, January 17thJoin us for this live workshop and get clear on who is filling you up, who is draining you, and who you might be missing in your circle so you can feel confident in WHO is going to get your limited time this year!  >> Register for the Workshop

New episodes of the podcast will be back TOMORROW! You might notice a few changes though, so I wanted to pop in quickly and give you a quick run-down on what to expect! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/102 EPISODE MENTIONS: Leave a Podcast Rating + Review (...and enjoy coffee on me!) CONNECTION CONUNDRUMS: Pursuing IRL friendship can sometimes be confusing, challenging, and uncertain. So, every other week on this show I want to address the ups and downs our community is experiencing. You can send me your questions or sticky situations and I'll respond to them in a future episode with some ideas and encouragement. Share Your Sticky Situation via Email or Instagram >> emily@theconnectedmomlife.com | @theconnectedmomlife LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Private Mom Friends Community  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Mentorship Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator

It's that weird week between Christmas and New Year's where time has no meaning and I'm not really even sure what day it is. This is also one of my favorite weeks to sneak away for an hour and enjoy some hot coffee, quiet, and do some good old reflection. So in this episode, I'm sharing the 5 reflection questions I ask myself at the end of the year to gain perspective on how I showed up in really meaningful ways for my people and myself this year (and how you did too!) SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/84   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Mentorship Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator

With the holidays around the corner, I wanted to share my favorite gifts to give to all the people in my life – from neighbors, to coworkers, to teachers, to party hosts, to close family and friends. Listen in to gain inspiration for gift-giving ideas that are consumable, functional, personal, and can fit any budget! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/81 LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Mentorship Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator

The holidays are a lot of things. They're fun, stressful, full-of-wonder, intense, and everything in-between. But a few years ago, I found myself feeling more of the stressful and anxiety-inducing parts than the full-of-wonder parts and knew that something had to change. Since then, I've experimented with some simple reflection and planning activities to better prepare me for the season. In this episode, I'm sharing the 6 simple prompts I use to help me plot out my ideal holiday season so I can feel more present, and less stressed - and I'm hopeful it will help you too. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/80 LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Mentorship Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator

Popping in with a short and sweet update on the pod! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/101 EPISODE MENTIONS: New Year, Slightly Adjusted Goals (+ My Word of the Year Dilemma) LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Coaching Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator  

The start of a new season is often an opportunity to reset, shake old patterns, and invest in some new things. But being prone to an all-or-nothing approach, I knew I wanted this transition to look a bit different this year. So, in an effort to not do a complete 180 from summer to fall, I adopted a mantra. It's been serving me so well in all ALL areas of my life – from kids, to home, to my community connections – and I'm excited to share it with you in today's episode! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/100 EPISODE MENTIONS: Free Workshop: The 3 New "Rules" of Friendship for Busy Moms Podcast Episode: 8 Questions for the End of the Summer LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Coaching Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator 1:1 Support: The Jumpstart + Monthly Friendship Mentorship

All moms are superheroes. But how do some seem to make it look easy? While motherhood is nothing but easy, there are some keys to making it feel and look manageable (most days!). In this episode, I'm joined by author of Secrets of Supermom, Lori Oberbroeckling to discuss small practical strategies to implement that have a BIG impact on daily mom life. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/99 MENTIONS: The Secrets of Supermom Book Connect with Lori on Instagram @secretsofsupermom Lori's Website LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Coaching Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator 1:1 Support: The Jumpstart + Monthly Friendship Mentorship

Habits. We're constantly trying to ditch bad ones and stick to healthy ones. But it's easier said than done. In this episode, I'm joined by habit and behavior change strategist, Emily Nichols to dig into how to create (and more importantly maintain) healthy habits. Listen as we discuss the number one question to consider before jumping into any new habit, the process for creating and sustaining habits that will work for YOU (and not the mom next door), plus you'll hear Emily coach me through how to approach two new habits that I've been having trouble sticking to! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/98 MENTIONS: Emily Nichols Website Connect with Emily on Instagram @emilynichols22 LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Coaching Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator 1:1 Support: The Jumpstart + Monthly Friendship Mentorship

It's hard to believe it's been a year since we left Texas! When we made the decision to move “back home” we had some hopes and dreams as to how life would look. So, in this episode, I'm sharing what of those expectations have become a reality (and which ones haven't!), plus an update on how our circle of community and friends is taking root. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/97 EPISODE MENTIONS: Episode 72: We're Moving!Episode 78: 3 Things I'm Doing Differently This Time as I Establish My Village LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Coaching Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator 1:1 Support: The Jumpstart + Monthly Friendship Mentorship

It's one thing to tell yourself you have all the time you need, and it's another to feel like you actually do. In this episode, I'm joined by expert Laura Vanderkam to discuss all things time management for moms. Join us as we discuss the 24-hour trap so many moms fall into (and how to avoid it), how-to build resilient schedules that don't crumble when kids get sick, simple strategies for making memories without adding more to our to-do lists, and much more. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/96 MENTIONS: Connect with Laura on Instagram @lvanderkam Laura's Website Before Breakfast Podcast Best of Both Worlds Podcast Time-Tracking Worksheet LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Coaching Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator 1:1 Support: The Jumpstart + Monthly Friendship Mentorship

I turned 41 last week! So, in honor of that milestone, I thought it'd be fun to reflect on and share 41 lessons, mantras, and philosophies that have gotten me to this point – and perhaps will carry me through the next 41 years too! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/95 EPISODE MENTIONS: Episode 6: My #1 Parenting Strategy Episode 86: We Need to Reframe How We Think About Consistency Episode 74 - How to Try-on Decisions Before you Make Them Episode 71 - Giving Yourself Permission to Take a Break (Guilt-Free!) LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  FRIENDSHIP + CONNECTION SUPPORT ⤵️ Take the Quiz:What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave?  FREE Guide: Create Your Village: 5 Keys to Creating IRL Friendships (and Fast!) FREE Template: Make Space for Friendship Each Month (without the overwhelm!) Community + Coaching Support: Join the Mom Friends Waitlist Courses:Squad from Scratch + The Friendship Accelerator 1:1 Support: The Jumpstart + Monthly Friendship Mentorship

As an avid reader of mommy blogs 10 years BEFORE I became a mom myself, the conversation around (and about) motherhood has done a lot of shifting in the last two decades. In this episode, I'm joined by journalist Zara Hanawalt to discuss these shifts. From new language that has emerged to help us paint a more realistic picture of mom life, to how best to consume all of the motherhood media available, to the topics still not getting the attention they deserve – we're talking about it all! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/94 MENTIONS: Zara Hanawalt Instagram: @zarahanawalt LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST?If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

Big days come with big expectations. And the key to actually enjoying those big days, starts with understanding our own expectations. In this episode, I'm sharing 5 questions to help you get in touch with your own expectations for the day so you can then share them or adjust them (or both!) so you can truly enjoy the day you deserve. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/93 LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST?If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

A few years ago, I was visiting my best friend from college and she took me to Grace Place – a mom's group she had recently started. But it wasn't your typical mom's group – it met on the weekends, it included moms of all ages, and it was truly one of the most welcoming and authentic environments I had experienced. In this episode, Christa joins me to share how she got started (despite not considering herself a natural leader), what she has learned matters most after 5 years of gatherings, and thoughts on ways you might consider starting or getting plugged into your own mom's group. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/92 Our Mom Friends Community is Open! (April 24- May 1) Enjoy encouragement + support you as you seek out the life-giving community connections and friendships you deserve. >> Join our Circle of Mom Friends Here

With the doors to Mom Friends opening next week, I wanted to bring you this special conversation with one of our members. When Rachel joined us she was craving more authentic and supportive friends in her community. After creating a plan that honored her preferences and capacity for connection, we had a front row seat to cheer her on as she put it into action! Fast forward a year, and A LOT has changed. Listen as Rachel shares what her connections look like today, the strategies that served her best, and what she says made the biggest difference in accelerating her new friendships. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/91 MENTIONS: Our Mom Friends Community Opens April 24thJoin the Waitlist Now for a Special Discount WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges. LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST?If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

What does it really take to feel better in friendship? Often, we imagine it will require a ginormous effort on our part. But the truth is that it's often simpler than we think. In this episode, I'll be sharing the 3 things that can quickly take you from feeling meh about your friendship life, to feeling really good. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/90 MENTIONS: Our Mom Friends Community Opens April 24thJoin the Waitlist for a Special Discount Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make and Keep Friends Quiz: What's Standing Between You and the Circle You Crave? WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges. LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST?If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

Do we really need a boatload of besties? Laura Tremaine doesn't think so. And this week, she's joining me on the podcast to share her philosophy on why creating a Life Council is a better focus for us to pursue when it comes to friendship. In this episode, we discuss the concept of a Life Council, who should be on yours, and the value of having both old and new friends in our circles. Plus, we dive into 5 friendship philosophies that can make our relationships feel easier! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/89 CONNECT WITH LAURA:Website | Instagram 10 Things to Tell you Podcast Listen to a Sample of the Life Council Audio Book WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges. LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST?If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

Success can be such a loaded word. We tie so much to it. Yet, what's often perceived as a success by our culture, may or may not actually be aligned with our own desires and values. In this episode, I'm joined by my IRL friend, Rebecca Field to talk about some different ways we might think about success. She'll share how she advocated for the work life balance she wanted, navigated choosing a path that didn't look like the traditional version of success in her career field, and how she's encouraging other moms to define success on their own terms whether they're working, staying-at-home, or something in-between. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/88 WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges. LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST?If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

The other day I found myself having all of the “should” thoughts… “I should call my parents, actually read the stack of books on my night stand, clean the dishwasher filter, etc.” Sometimes “shoulds” can be helpful nudges, and other times, they can load us up with unnecessary guilt. Recently I've been asking myself a question when I think I “should” do something that is helping me gain greater clarity on my next step, and release guilt if in fact I don't have the capacity to do the thing my brain thinks I should do. My hope is this question might prove helpful for you too! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/87 WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges. LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Circle of Mom Friends  ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST?If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

We are well into January and perhaps (like me) you've been attempting to lean into one or more habits in these first few weeks of the new year. So, this seems like a good time to talk about the word consistency. In this episode, I'm sharing two ways I've been reframing consistency (i.e. tricking my brain) into not seeing every missed day of a new habit or inability to accomplish a new goal as a failure. My hope is these two mind tricks might help you also feel like you're crushing it most days vs. failing! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/86 >> MOM FRIENDS Special New Year Offer >>Join Mom Friends for 50% of your first month in January. We've saved you a seat and would love to have you join us! MENTIONS: Episode 75: Realistic Priorities and Planning Practices with Katelyn Denning   WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges.   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

While “new year, slightly adjusted goals” doesn't have quite the same ring to “new year, new me” – it is a better depiction of how I like to approach the start of a new year. So, in this episode, I wanted to spend some time talking about ways we can think about the new year, plus share how this perspective is shaping my goals (and word of the year!) SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/85   >> MOM FRIENDS Special New Year Offer >>Join Mom Friends for 50% of your first month in January. We've saved you a seat and would love to have you join us!   WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges.   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

It's that weird week between Christmas and New Year's where time has no meaning and I'm not really even sure what day it is. This is also one of my favorite weeks to sneak away for an hour and enjoy some hot coffee, quiet, and do some good old reflection. So in this episode, I'm sharing the 5 reflection questions I ask myself at the end of the year to gain perspective on how I showed up in really meaningful ways for my people and myself this year (and how you did too!) SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/84   >> MOM FRIENDS Special New Year Offer >>Join Mom Friends for 50% of your first month in January. We've saved you a seat and would love to have you join us!   WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges.   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

I'm a HUGE fan of end-of-year best-of lists, so I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite finds of 2022. From favorite things I watched and read to the new gadgets I discovered (that now I can't live without) to the experiences I tried and now want to repeat – I'm covering them all in this episode! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/83   WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges.   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

One of my the most important things we can do as mothers is regulate our own nervous systems. But what exactly does that mean? In this episode, I'm joined by Christa Bevan to discuss exactly how our nervous system impacts our actions. Plus, signs we can look for to indicate that our nervous systems may be in a dysregulated state and what tangible steps we can take to get back to a regulated state so we can parent from a place of peace.   SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/82 CONNECT WITH CHRISTA Instagram + Website   >> MOM FRIENDS Black Friday Special Offer >>Join Mom Friends for just $7 through Monday, November 28th We've saved you a seat and would love to have you join us!   WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges.   LET'S CONNECT!Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST?If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

With the holidays around the corner, I wanted to share my favorite gifts to give to all the people in my life – from neighbors, to coworkers, to teachers, to party hosts, to close family and friends. Listen in to gain inspiration for gift-giving ideas that are consumable, functional, personal, and can fit any budget! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/81   >> MOM FRIENDS Black Friday Special Offer >>Join Mom Friends for just $7 through Monday, November 28th We've saved you a seat and would love to have you join us!   WANT MORE EPISODES? Subscribe to the Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! You'll support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges.   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

The holidays are a lot of things. They're fun, stressful, full-of-wonder, intense, and everything in-between. But a few years ago, I found myself feeling more of the stressful and anxiety-inducing parts than the full-of-wonder parts and knew that something had to change. Since then, I've experimented with some simple reflection and planning activities to better prepare me for the season. In this episode, I'm sharing the 6 simple prompts I use to help me plot out my ideal holiday season so I can feel more present, and less stressed - and I'm hopeful it will help you too. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/80 {NEW} The Connected Mom Life #RealTalk PRIVATE Podcast! Subscribe today to support the show and enjoy a candid look of the ups and downs of building a community from scratch-ish as a busy working mom. Plus enjoy extended guest interviews and responses to your most pressing connection and friendship challenges. Listeners who subscribe by Tuesday, November 8th can listen to the first month for just $1! (Episodes include stories about my first PTA meeting, navigating the back-to-school bash where I knew no one, and why I'm currently freaking out about our new neighborhood)   HOLIDAY RESOURCES + SUPPORT  Want to be guided through these 6 prompts in a supportive group setting? Join us this month in Mom Friends. We've saved you a seat and would love to have you join us.   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

Between worrying we're not doing enough as moms, to feeling like we're imposters in our work places, to stressing over whether that mom is actually interested in being our friend or was just being nice – Mind Gremlins are constantly by our side. In this episode, I'm joined by my friend and confidence coach Jess Critchlow to help us better understand what's actually happening when Mind Gremlins surface and what tangible steps we can take to combat them so we can move forward in taking brave action even if our palms feel a bit sweaty (okay, a lot sweaty!) SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/79   Connect with Jess! Instagram @JessCritchlow.Coach www.lightupwork.com   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Mom Friends Community     ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

Here we go again. After moving 4 months ago, I'm finally in a headspace where I can think about building our new village. But life doesn't look the same as the last time I attempted to do this, so I'm approaching it differently too. In this episode, I'm sharing 3 rules I've set for myself as I pursue our new community and how these boundaries are already helping me to feel less behind, giving me more confidence after a first meeting, and providing peace as I trust the universe that the community I crave is coming. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/78   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Mom Friends Community   ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

We crave community, but the reality is that we often feel a bit lost on how to pursue it in today's world of stressful jobs, privacy fences, and political climates. In this episode, Shannan Martin, author of Start with Hello, walks us through her own story of creating community – even as a self-proclaimed introvert who does not feel like being neighborly comes naturally at all – and offers us thoughts on simple, manageable, and practical ways we can pursue it too. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/77   Connect with Shannan! @shannanwrites www.shannanmartin.com Pre-Order Start with Hello (and Other Simple Ways to Live as Neighbors)   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Join our Mom Friend's Community   ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

Now that Mom Friends is officially open and welcoming new members, I wanted to introduce you to one of our moms, Gwen. After moving “back home” last summer, she wanted to re-establish a new circle of friends - and did she ever! In this episode she's sharing the biggest perspective shifts that made all the difference in feeling more satisfied in her connections, how she made space for friendships in the midst of juggling her job + young kiddos, and why she decided to join Mom Friends even after she was feeling content and confident.  SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/76   The Mom Friends Community is officially open! We've saved you a seat and would love to have you join us. ...and when you join by Tuesday, September 6th, you'll also snag a seat in Squad from Scratch (normally $97) too!   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

Join me and Katelyn as we discuss all things planning, priorities, and navigating the back-to-school season. This episode is PACKED with tangible practices and strategies to make this transition (and the year ahead) feel OH SO MUCH LIGHTER. Listen in as we discuss how to reframe priorities to make them easier to set, the #1 question to consider when attacking what's next on your to-do list, and the secret to finally finding that perfect planner. Plus, enjoy a special mantra you can use to help ground you in times of transition! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/75   The Mom Friends Community is officially open! We've saved you a seat and would love to have you join us. ...and when you join by Tuesday, September 6th, you'll also snag a seat in Squad from Scratch (normally $97) too!   Connect with Katelyn! @lovemothernurture www.themothernurture.com   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

We're back! After a 5-month break to move my family across the country, I'm excited to say that the podcast is back! This was truly a summer of BIG changes. And with these changes, came lots of new decisions. So, in this episode, I'm sharing an update on what life has looked like the last few months, changes coming to the podcast and our Mom Friends community, and my favorite decision-making practices I've used to help guide me in making these changes confidently (and spoiler alert - these practices can be applied to any decision YOU might need to make too!) SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/74   Doors to our Mom Friends Community are Opening Soon! Join the Waitlist for a special discount   EPISODE MENTIONS: Episode 72 - We're Moving!   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

As busy moms craving life-giving connections, it can be hard to find them in a world full of so much difference - not just politically, but in parenting! That's why I was so excited to welcome back Sarah and Beth from Pantsuit Politics to the podcast to talk about how we can manage to still connect deeply with those around us, despite our divisions – and maintain sanity and hope at the same time! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/73   Pre-Order Beth & Sarah's New Book! Now What? How to Move Forward When We're Divided (About Basically Everything)    EPISODE MENTIONS: Episode 21: Navigating Political Differences in Friendship T1D: A Life Changing Diagnosis Pantsuit Politics Website Connect with Pantsuit Politics on IG   Want More Behind-the-Scenes Details of our Move? Join my email list to follow-along while the podcast is on a break.    LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife   ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

Over the years, I've been transparent about what it looks like to live far away from family while raising a family of our own. There's lots of really great things about it! There's also some hard things too. And recently, it became more and more obvious that the hard was starting to outweigh the great for us. So in this episode, I'm sharing the behind-the-scenes of our decision to move our family “back home” after 13 years away. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/72   Want More Behind-the-Scenes Details of our Move? Join my email list to follow-along while the podcast is on a break!   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

I just got back from a last-minute trip to see one of my dearest friends! But in saying yes to that trip, I knew I'd be saying no to being able to do the podcast I had planned. So I wanted to re-play the episode I had in my head when I made the decision to say YES to this trip, knowing it'd mean I'd need to give myself permission to take a break from my original plans. So I thought in lieu of my planned episode, I'd play that episode. Because in my experience, us moms need to give ourselves more permission to take breaks! But knowing when to take a break and for how long, isn't always the easiest thing to figure out. In this episode, I'm sharing 3 questions to help you determine when you might need a break from something in your life, and my best tip for how to give yourself permission to actually take it, guilt-free! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/71   THE DOORS TO MOM FRIENDS CLOSE TODAY (2/28)! Join our built-in circle of support for busy moms pursuing the local friendships they crave and never mom alone again.    LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

We literally only have so much time for close relationships. So in this episode, we'll take a deeper look at what the research says about exactly how much space we have for meaningful connections, how romantic relationships and size of our extended families impact the size of our friendship circles, and what this all actually means for maintaining friendships as a busy mom. Because when we can understand why it feels so hard to maintain all the communication with all the people - we can give ourselves some permission to release the guilt and pressure when we can't keep up - because we weren't meant to! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/70   THE DOORS TO MOM FRIENDS ARE OPEN! Join our built-in circle of support for busy moms pursuing the local friendships they crave and never mom alone again.  But hurry! Doors close February 28th (and won't open again until late Summer!)   MENTIONS: Atlantic Article: You Can Only Maintain So Many Friendships   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

As a brand new mom living in a state with no friends or family, I had to build my circle from scratch (and stat!). So in this episode, I'm looking back on what it actually took to build the circle of support I have today. Including, the one thing I did that I think made all the difference in accelerating my early friendships, the one regret I have about where I didn't attempt to find mom friends (and should have!), and the constant thread I see in all of my friendships that ultimately stuck! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/69   THE DOORS TO MOM FRIENDS ARE OPEN! Join our built-in circle of support for busy moms pursuing the local friendships they crave and never mom alone again.    LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

Today I'm all about making friends on the internet. But this wasn't always the case. I had to sort through all sorts of feelings before I could wrap my head around reaching out to a stranger online. So in this episode, I'm sharing how I got here and what it has looked like to go from follower to friend, how frequently we connect (and how!), and how my internet friends fulfill my circle in ways my local friend can't. Plus, I'll share the steps you can take to make your first (or next!) internet bestie if you're ready! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/68 Join the MOM FRIENDS Waitlist! ...and receive a special waitlist-only bonus offer when the doors open on Monday, February 14th!   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

If something is feeling “off” about your friendships these days, it could be because something is missing. In this episode, we'll dig into the 4 things every friendship needs. Because when you know what truly defines a friendship, it can serve as a roadmap to help you make new friendships, intentionally grow friendships more easily, repair friendships that aren't feeling great, and even step back from the friendships that have run their course. SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/67 Join the MOM FRIENDS Waitlist! ...and receive a special waitlist-only bonus offer when the doors open on February 14th!   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

In just a few short weeks I'm going to be opening the doors to a brand new community of built-in support for busy moms who are pursuing the local circle of friends they crave! And in today's episode, I'm sharing more of my heart behind it, how your DMs, emails, and conversations over the last year inspired it, and what exactly you can expect when you join us in MOM FRIENDS! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/66 Join the MOM FRIENDS Waitlist! ...and receive a special waitlist-only bonus offer when the doors open in February!   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

Here's the truth: my goals don't change much from year to year. But the systems behind them definitely do. So in this episode, I'm sharing the habits I'm focusing on this year to continue to grow more into the person I want to show up as each day. Plus, the systems I've put in place to help me actually practice these habits! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/65   Join the FREE Friendship Focus Challenge Bring your friendship dreams to life in 2022 with a clear plan so you can enjoy the life-giving connections you crave (and deserve).   MENTIONS: Episode 23: My Goals for 2021 (and My Word of the Year)   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

I FINALLY committed to my word of the year after a month or so of wavering. So in this episode, I'm sharing what it is, plus some reflections on last year's word and how it ended up serving me, the word that I kept trying to make work before I couldn't deny that my heart was pulling me in another direction, and my hopes for how it will serve me in the coming year. Plus some thoughts on ways to surface your word of the year if you're interested in giving it a try without it feeling too forced! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/64   Join the FREE Friendship Focus Challenge Bring your friendship dreams to life in 2022 with a clear plan so you can enjoy the life-giving connections you crave (and deserve).   MENTIONS: Episode 63: My Goal Setting Process: Looking Back to Better Look Ahead   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

I love using the beginning of a new year as a time to look ahead and set some intentions and goals for the coming year! In this episode, I'm sharing how my process for setting goals has changed over the years (and what it looks like today), the four reflection questions I use to help me surface new goals and priorities for the coming year, some of my biggest takeaways from 2021, and why I ditched setting goals before January 1st this year! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/63   Join the FREE Friendship Focus Challenge Bring your friendship dreams to life in 2022 with a clear plan so you can enjoy the life-giving connections you crave (and deserve).   MENTIONS: Episode 32: Finding Your Authentic Style with Dacy Gillespie 10 Things to Tell You Podcast with Laura Tremaine: 10 Questions for the End of the Year   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!

We're wrapping up the managing stress series with one of my most favorite strategies of all time: Batching! I truly believe batching is the key to me not going crazy as I juggle my 9-5, two kids, a house, and this podcast! In this episode, I'll share all the different ways you can batch different areas of your life, plus some easy ways to start incorporating batching into your daily and weekly rhythms of life! SHOWNOTES: https://www.theconnectedmomlife.com/62   Join the FREE Friendship Focus Challenge Bring your friendship dreams to life in 2022 with a clear plan so you can enjoy the life-giving connections you crave (and deserve).   LET'S CONNECT! Instagram @theconnectedmomlife Facebook @theconnectedmomlife Join the Connected Mom Life Community    ARE YOU A FAN OF THE PODCAST? If you loved today's episode, would you head to your favorite podcast app and leave a rating and review? The more ratings and reviews the podcast gets, the more moms will be in-the-know that we can stop "playing it cool" and actually connect!