I’ll share three things I’ve been loving, reading, watching, and listening to lately, and a few rhythms and routines I’ve been experimenting with.

Fall began with Bailey’s first day trip to Duluth with some of her favorite friends. After grabbing some coffee at Amity, we headed for Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve—a lovely recommendation from a copywriter friend who knows Duluth inside and out.

We took the wrong path (which seems to be a theme with us) until we found the right trail, leading to a five-mile hike. We cooled off by Lake Superior by grabbing a late lunch at Sir Benedict’s Tavern, where Evan ordered a 5/5 Belgium sour beer (no small feat!). We finished our sandwiches, walked around Canal Park by the lighthouse, and stopped by Zenith, a dog-friendly bookstore, on our way out.

We’ve since taken day trips to visit Evan’s family in Wisconsin, explore the tiny town of Marine on St. Croix, and hit the open road to hunt for thrifted treasures. Fall seems to be our ideal time to travel both near and far.

Here’s a look at my other fall favorites:

What I’m loving

Joining a weekly Bible study

I’ve been a part of many church small groups before—ranging from neighborhood-based groups to Christian book clubs to video lesson-based groups—but none of them met weekly. There’s something special about meeting with an intimate group of people every week to study God’s Word.

I chose to participate in a co-ed small group that’s reading through the Gospel of Mark in a 12-week Bible study. We meet at our local church to discuss what God has revealed to us throughout the week based on our individual study time. It’s been such a joy and has given me a little more structure when I study Scripture during my Sabbath Fridays.

Sourcing art for our home

While it will be (literal) years until we repaint and redesign our living space, Evan has been on a mission to hang more art on the walls. Art helps him feel more at home, so we’ve been slowly curating a collection that represents us as a couple and individually.

After strolling through a Fall Art Festival in Edina, we purchased our biggest art piece to date! While it felt very spontaneous in the moment—especially because we had to drive back home to exchange my little Corolla for Evan’s mid-size SUV—we’ve had our eyes on this particular piece for almost three years.

We planned on waiting a while longer, but when we heard the husband-and-wife artist duo were retiring next year, we looked at each other and knew it was time to bring it home with us. This weekend, we’ll be hanging it on the tallest wall in our home—eek!

One-piece swimsuits

Okay, this one may not be geared toward fall, but I had to sneak it in anyway! The more I try on one-pieces, the more I ask myself, “Where have you been all my life?!”

As a six-foot-tall gal, they flatter my shape SO much more than two-piece swimsuits. Also, it gets bonus points for always being activity-ready! I found this cute brown wrap-style suit later in the season, so I haven’t been able to wear it yet, but I’m excited to whip it out for winter dips in the hot tub.

What I’m reading

The God of the Garden by Andrew Peterson

If you have a deep love for trees and plants, The God of the Garden should be on your to-read list. A songwriter turned author, Andrew beautifully weaves garden imagery into autobiographical stories, drawing on his everyday life. The book’s tone is both hopeful and melancholy, a balance I found to be realistic and endearing. I listened to this as an audiobook (which I highly recommend because he also shares songs from his albums), but I got so much out of Andrew’s storytelling that I want a physical copy for my shelves. I gave it a solid 4/5 stars only because it lacked deeper Scriptural analysis.

Relaxed by Megan Fate Marshman

Megan’s love for the Lord is SO apparent in her book, Relaxed: Walking with the One Who is Not Worried About a Thing. By examining themes of grief, hurry, and anxiety, Megan invites us to slow down and seek the Holy Spirit in all things. I gave it 3.5/5 stars because I really enjoyed the prayerful exercises at the end of the chapters, but the book’s message felt a bit repetitive.

Five Mere Christians by Jordan Raynor & Kaleigh Cox

If you love reading biographies as much as I do, you’re going to enjoy Five Mere Christians. I initially picked up the book because I wanted to learn more about our favorite neighbor, Fred Rogers, from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, but there were many other noteworthy stories. I gave it 3.5/5 stars since I connected with some biographies more than others.

What I’m watching

The Lost Kitchen (Max)

I’m so obsessed with the story behind The Lost Kitchen that I could give a TED Talk on it. I was first introduced to Erin French through Ina Garten on her (previously mentioned) interview show, Be Our Guest. I love her tenacity and how her greatest opportunities were born out of her greatest setbacks.

I’ve been slowly savoring Season 1, which follows Erin and her all-female staff as they host people from all over the world for unique farm-to-table dinners. It also shows how they navigate through the pandemic and face challenges head-on. I could share so many more details about why I love the show, but you’ll just have to watch it to see for yourself!

Motel Rescue (Max)

Have you felt a little burned out on watching the same home renovation show concept play out over and over? Motel Rescue provides a nice escape by redesigning motels instead of residential homes.

Some viewers don’t love the host’s interior design style, but I watch it more for the business breakdowns and the stories surrounding each owner. I especially loved the episode titled Suwanee River Redo, which featured an immigrant family building their motel into a multi-generational family legacy. Cue the tears!

Pilgrim Devotions (YouTube)

I’m calling it right now: Lawrence Blair of Pilgrim Devotions is THE honorary grandpa voice we all need. When I go on short afternoon walks with Bailey, his 15-20 minute video devotionals are the perfect companion. His voice is incredibly calming, and he takes his time while unpacking Scripture-based topics.

I’m listening through his archive this fall, but I really loved Is Your Life Overgrown with Weeds? and How to Hear God’s Still Small Voice in the Chaos of Life. He also calls his followers “pilgrims,” which I find so charming and heartwarming.

What I’m listening to

No AI lo-fi music

Fun fact: Lo-fi music is almost always playing in the background while I work. I produce some of my best writing thanks to this music genre. However, did you know many of the lo-fi music videos you find on YouTube are actually produced by AI tools? Ugh!

As a fierce advocate for human creativity, I go out of my way to find musicians who don’t use AI. My recent favorite is Yellow Cherry Jam because of their relaxing vibe, gorgeous settings, and their sweet golden retriever sidekick. I happen to be listening to them right now!

Redeeming Productivity podcast

If you’re tired of listening to typical productivity advice—like waking up at 5 a.m., writing three morning pages, or multitasking throughout the day—you’ll love Reagan’s Redeeming Productivity podcast. He talks about how to be more productive within a Christian worldview.

I love how he dissects popular advice from business leaders and philosophers while connecting each topic to current events and Scripture. Also, the episode length is almost always between 15 and 30 minutes, which feels so refreshing. His episode that covers the answer to What is Biblical Productivity? is a good place to start.

My Campfire playlist

What says autumn more than a vibey indie playlist? From acoustic gems to slow folk music, everything in my Campfire playlist screams fall.

I began curating this playlist about six-ish years ago when I started dating my now husband, and he agrees that it’s one of my best playlists to date. If you want to listen to music that feels like sitting near a cozy bonfire, this is it.

A season to remember

What have you been loving this fall?

Living to work typically conjures an image of someone anxiously toiling day in and day out, unable to savor life’s simple pleasures.

Working to live, however, often makes us think of someone who clocks into their job, works diligently, and clocks out when the day is done. They don’t take work or stress home with them, allowing them to enjoy their evenings and weekends.

When you align yourself with a “work to live” mindset, you value a life of leisure. And you’re in good company.

Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “The end of labor is to enjoy leisure.”

Over two thousand years later, we still exalt all forms of leisure, each more intoxicating than the next.

Today, it can look like an endless supply of quality time spent with family, lazy days at the beach, all-inclusive vacations, spacious homes we can relax in, long drives in luxury cars…

Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?

It’s not that all leisure is bad or sinful. In Ecclesiastes 3:13, Solomon says to “take pleasure in all [our] toil—this is God’s gift.”

Desiring to rest after our work is good—even fruitful.

But our relationship to leisure turns sour when we begin to idolize it.

Because when leisure becomes our ultimate goal, we must ask ourselves what we are willing to give up to get it.

Around my third year of business, I stumbled upon the FIRE movement.

FIRE is an acronym for “Financial Independence, Retire Early,” inspiring followers to prioritize extreme saving in hopes of retiring early.

Since I come from a long line of farmers who were haunted by a spirit of scarcity, this financial movement made sense to me. I was taught to live below my means, often wearing it as a badge of honor. I had already saved enough money for a rainy day, so the idea of building my savings around the goal of an earlier retirement seemed like a natural fit.

I started listening to FIRE podcasts and reading any article I could get my hands on.

Most of them featured everyday millionaires in their 30s and 40s who had successfully retired early by saving and investing their money wisely. No longer feeling the pressure of working for a paycheck, they were finally free to explore and do whatever their hearts desired.

After six months of going all-in, I found myself thinking about money constantly.

On the surface, the FIRE movement seemed like a smart way to live frugally and fight off greed, but the opposite was happening.

It warped my discernment and kept me hyper-fixated on how I spent every dollar and every second of my life.

It robbed me of peace and joy, making me feel like I would never have enough money or time to reach my audacious goal.

It promised the illusion of control, yet I had never felt more out of control.

In my pursuit to gain knowledge, I forfeited the wisdom found in God’s Word.

Thankfully, it was also during this time that I found myself increasingly drawn to Ecclesiastes. Its author is Solomon, a man who asks God for wisdom (1 Kings 3). By applying this wisdom, he amasses a fortune that would be valued at around two trillion dollars today.

This wealth allowed Solomon to test himself with every pleasure. In chapter two of Ecclesiastes, Solomon recalls enjoying many leisurely days and earthly pleasures most of us could only dream of. This includes planting vineyards, building many houses, gathering gold and silver, and having his fill of food and wine.

But this is the same Solomon who continually refers to life as a “meaningless vapor” throughout Ecclesiastes —38 times, to be exact.

Why does one of the wealthiest men in history say that life is fleeting, like a wisp of smoke, here today and gone tomorrow? By tasting every pleasure, he understood nothing outside of God could satisfy him.

“I kept my heart from no pleasure… Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

I soon realized that my growing obsession with leisure—whether gained through financial independence or early retirement—was not only unwise but also unbiblical.

In his exploration of the relationship between work and rest, John Mark Comer—whom I affectionately call “JMC"—writes in Garden City about the woes of early retirement.

“It’s striking to me that a number of people I know who made a bunch of money and retired young are unhappy… It’s like they lost something central to who they are.”

In other words, a life defined by leisure will never satisfy us. Instead, we are invited into a countercultural worldview where rest and work are equally valuable.

When leisure is out of balance, we become slothful and apathetic. When work is out of balance, we become greedy and prideful.

But when rest and work are interconnected, feeding into one another as God intended, we prosper.

Our goal shouldn’t be to eliminate work from our lives for the sake of gaining more leisure. JMC says, “When we stop working, we lose a part of who we are.”

What if we began to see work as a part of our becoming?

Yes, even our toilsome, gruntworthy work deeply matters to God.

We may be tempted to overvalue leisure, but these wise words from Elisabeth Elliot, a true titan of faith, point us to a healthy perspective on leisure.

“The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest.”

We can’t enjoy leisure without engaging in the good work God has called us to do.

Today, let’s thank God for both the work and the rest He designed.

A moment to reflect

What forms of leisure feel most intoxicating to you? What are some of the indicator lights in your own life that signal when your desire for leisure is becoming too great?

I wish someone had told me that after unpacking boxes and hosting a housewarming party, the same folding table would become somewhat of an albatross.

What was once a band-aid solution has become a mainstay in our home. 

Now, almost two years later, the folding table is still nestled under a cheap chandelier held up by bungee cords—a MacGyver hack from the previous homeowner. In full view of the dining room window, the table is placed by a large out-of-tune piano—a surprise “gift” left behind for the new tenants.

And to its credit, the folding table does its job, but that doesn’t stop it from slowly grating on me.

When guests initially toured our home, I immediately launched into our vision for each room.

Surely they’d understand we didn’t intend on keeping the neon green carpet, lily pad wallpaper, and quirky cabinetry, right?

I divulged my plans to anyone who would listen while my husband chuckled in the background.

I didn’t realize it then, but this compulsive need to explain myself was born out of a creeping sense of embarrassment.

It felt vulnerable to show people the “before” state of our home. 

Would we be judged? Would we be mocked? Could we convince others to picture what we saw when we first walked through the door?

In my attempt to control the narrative, I grew increasingly discouraged with how slowly we were moving through our renovations. And our dining room—with its folding table and chairs—was at the very bottom of the list.

As an early HGTV addict, weekends were for envisioning my future home alongside my dad. 

We talked about building a tiny house with a lofted office. We dreamed of buying an old warehouse and converting it into apartment units. We even talked about designing a lake house just outside of the Twin Cities—a dream that was once his before it became my own.

The trends came and went—like all-white kitchens, sliding barn doors, and neutral subway tile— but each year brought a greater oversaturation of interior design content with it.

From YouTube videos to Instagram Reels, it seemed like no matter where I turned, I was surrounded by messages telling me how my home was supposed to look before I even had one.

All of these television shows and influencers convinced me that, in the snap of a finger, you could take your home from drab to fab.

And I bought into the lie, hook, line, and sinker.

Growing up, my mom never believed she had the right space in her home for hosting.

Her living room was too quaint. She didn’t have a half-bath on the main floor. Her patio was spacious but could only be used a few months out of the year in Minnesota. Her house didn’t have an open-concept layout, and there never seemed to be enough places for people to sit. 

I used to roll my eyes when she listed her many grievances, but now I realize I’m no better.

In America, our standards for hosting and entertaining are impossibly high. 

Some may blame the internet, social media, past generations, or all of the above, but the impractical ideals remain. 

We’d rather wait until we can host Pinterest-worthy gatherings than meet people where they are in the small spaces we already have. We put hosting into the “someday soon” category and pray for the day we can invest in a bigger home with better furniture.

But what we really need is more of a focus on hospitality than entertaining.

In one of my recent favorite Reels, author and theologian Phylicia Masonheimer says, “Entertaining is about me and how I can impress you [with] a perfectly set table and a gourmet meal. But hospitality is about the other.”

True hospitality looks like extending a warm welcome to guests by offering your home as a humble gathering place. It also means welcoming strangers without the desire to dazzle and impress them.

Phylicia reminds us, “If entertaining says, ‘Look at me,’ hospitality says, ‘Look at you.’”

She goes on to talk about how we often see dirt (or, in our case, dog hair) on the floor, a tiny living room, or ugly furniture, but guests only remember a feeling of safety and belonging.

So, what would happen if we let go of cosplaying as the picture-perfect host and embraced simple hospitality instead?

I’ve come to accept our folding table. 

I haven’t scoured Facebook Marketplace for other dining table options for months. I’ve put away the tape measure. I don’t even pin inspiration photos.

Meanwhile, we welcome more people into our home than ever before. 

We invite neighbors over for soup and board games. Evan hosts biweekly Magic: The Gathering game nights. I host all-day readathons and a reading year-in-review party. We become the go-to New Year’s Eve spot and host rivalry football games (Skol Vikings!).

I no longer sulk or make excuses for our folding table. Most of the time, I don’t even cover it with a white linen tablecloth as I leave it unmasked in the dining room. 

And who knows? With all of the meals and laughter we’ve shared around the folding table, someday I might even miss it.

A moment to reflect 

What does true hospitality look like to you? How can you meet people right where they are this week? 

I’ll share three things I’ve been loving, reading, watching, and listening to lately, and a few rhythms and routines I’ve been experimenting with.

Spring began with a well-anticipated trip to New Hampshire to celebrate my dear friend Emily’s first event for New Hampshire Magazine’s BRIDE. To see her artistic vision come to life at The Social Hour was something I’ll never forget. Let this be your sign to celebrate friends in every milestone moment—it’s well worth the flight!

While in New Hampshire, I was also able to see my sweet friend Alison again. We bundled up and talked about our latest adventures in work, creative projects, The Traitors, and so much more. These ladies make it easy to keep coming back to New England.

After flying back home, April was filled with fun copywriting projects for two local nonprofits. Both were a welcome addition to my typical for-profit business client roster. Then I flew out to Dallas/Fort Worth to visit two close friends from high school and spend some quality time with their twin boys.

Little did I know that I’d return from my trip with the flu turned bronchitis, wiping me out for all of May. Spring looked different than I expected—with canceled plans, TV show binges, and lots of midday naps—but I’m grateful for the time to slow down and savor the sun.

Here’s a look at my spring favorites:

What I’m loving

My first tattoo

I couldn’t be happier with my memorial tattoo. It's exactly what I envisioned. In the weeks leading up to my dad's passing about three years ago, I had this unshakable sense that I needed to get a tattoo of his handwritten signature. I immediately knew I’d place it inside my right forearm, allowing me to see it while I'm writing. 

I'm sure I'll have more to say about to experience at a later date, but it was special to get my tattoo alongside my mom. She chose a different design featuring two hearts with one in parentheses, symbolizing “I carry your heart within my heart”—simple and beautiful, just like her. But for those of you asking: (1) Yes, it hurt, and (2) No, I don't think I'll get another one anytime soon!

Berry salads

It's finally berry season, which means you can find me putting berries on everything. Salads, coconut milk yogurt, smoothies, dairy-free ice cream... I can't be stopped.

My classic chicken berry salad is a go-to, topped with balsamic glazed pecans, walnuts, dried cranberries, and fresh raspberries and blueberries. I finish it off with a lovely strawberry vinaigrette—perfect for springtime.

Fresh lilacs

You can almost smell the lilacs just from looking at this photo, right? We are lucky enough to have light purple and pink lilacs growing in our yard, but this snap was from a recent neighborhood walk with our pup Bailey.

I'm hoping to find more ways to utilize lilacs. I've seen them used as garnishes in drinks or as a scent in candles, bath soaks, and soaps. I may not get to it this year, but I sure love looking at them outside of our windows.

What I’m reading

The Last Bookseller by Gary Goodman

What a charming collection of stories from one of the last rare booksellers after the boom of Amazon. I was delighted to read about his stores in Stillwater—arguably my favorite city in MN—and never knew it was classified as a Book Town before the 2000s.

Goodman focused most of his essays in The Last Bookseller on his travels while hunting for rare used books. I would’ve loved more stories about the day-to-day operations of running a secondhand bookstore, but it was still a fascinating read for literary lovers.

With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God by Skye Jethani

You know when you pause while reading a book to soak in everything that’s being said? I had that experience multiple times within this book. While I thought the first half of the book had the most impact, it’s well worth the read in its entirety.

Jethani’s insights into the four postures of the heart—Life Under God, Life Over God, Life From God, and Life For God—bring an all-new clarity to the many ways we can live out of alignment with God while seeking control. There’s a little something for everyone in With, no matter if you’re faithfully seeking the Lord or curious about spiritual walks of life.

Magnolia Journal

One of my favorite recent discoveries is that my library’s Libby app allows you to borrow copies of popular magazine issues. Unless I’m planning on making an artistic collage, a digital issue works perfectly fine. The Magnolia Journal is a go-to choice, chock-full of recipes, interior design, gardening, travel explorations, and more.

Their newest issue (Boundless, No. 35) features a stunning cover set at the lake, which gets me excited for this summer. There are a few berry-themed mocktail recipes I want to try soon (full-circle moment!), and the Dreaming Big interior feature reminded me of the warehouse design ideas I had with my dad growing up.

What I’m watching

Be My Guest with Ina Garten (Max & Food Network)

My close friend Ashley is a long-time admirer of Ina, and now, I can see why. After reading Ina's memoir last year (which I loved) and watching her interview-style cooking show, I'm officially a fan.

Ina has many cooking shows to choose from—Barefoot Contessa being her most popular—but Be My Guest has been my go-to comfort show while being sick. The pacing is slow, and it's as cozy as can be. I highly recommend the Nathan Lane, Erin French, and Jennifer Garner episodes.

Loot (Apple+)

A multi-billionaire woman who publicly promises to give away all of her money? I'm immediately in! This feel-good show is exactly what I needed while sick.

Loot follows the glamorous life of Molly as she navigates a new season of life after a (very) public divorce with lots of humor and glam. Maya Rudolph is an incredible lead for the wholesome show, and I loved following along with this tight-knit crew of nonprofit employees. A must-watch!

Haley's Corner (YouTube)

I used to hunt more for secondhand books than vintage clothes, but now it's the other way around. Thrifting has been a great joy and a creative way to find my new personal style. It’s still a work in progress, but that’s the fun part!

While I haven't been able to thrift since this spring due to travel and illness, I’ve been living vicariously through YouTubers who create thrifting vlogs. My current favorite is Haley's Corner because in each video, Haley shops with a specific crowd-sourced aesthetic in mind. I especially liked the creativity of her Fishermen and Mamma Mia aesthetic videos. So fun!

What I’m listening to

Bad on Paper Podcast

Surprise, surprise—I'm bringing you another book podcast! I love listening to them anytime I'm doing things around the house.

Bad on Paper is hosted by two first-time authors who share everything from their favorite reads to their yearly goals. I like how the podcast hosts open up about their personal lives alongside their book recommendations. It's easy to get into, but their Best Books of 2024 episode might be a fun place to start.

Good Hang Podcast with Amy Poehler

Wait, Amy Poehler has a new podcast? YES, and it's worth immediately subscribing. I know there are so many celebrity podcasts out there, but this one lives up to its title.

I can freely admit that I love consuming feel-good, wholesome media. It's what I reach for in hard seasons, so Good Hang is joining the ranks. I especially loved her interviews with Quinta Brunson and Jack Black.

The Garden Within Audiobook

The Garden Within is a look at mental health through a spiritual lens. It’s as good as it sounds! It's incredibly well-researched yet so accessible, weaving plant imagery into important conversations about emotional wellness, mental illness, and the biological effects of our emotions on the body over time.

This audiobook was a fascinating listen, and I wish I could've highlighted my own physical copy. While this is geared a little more toward those who have yet to seek therapy, I still got a lot out of it.

A season to remember

What have you been loving this spring?

From binge-worthy TV shows to fast-action movies to overstimulating short-form video clips, it’s no wonder we feel frenzied—even when we sit down to relax.

Have you noticed how media companies will do anything to keep our attention once they have it? They’ll use everything from loud sound effects and strobe lights to jump scares and fast editing to hook us in.

The result? Sensory overload.

When I started to notice how agitated and overwhelmed I was while watching certain shows, I set out to (1) watch less TV and (2) consciously choose low-stimulant shows.

So, here’s my ever-growing list of slow-paced, feel-good TV shows.

Slower Entertainment Alternatives

Each curated Slow TV category—from green-thumbed gardeners to soulful foodies—will feature a detailed summary of three TV and/or video series that are a seamless fit.

You’ll also find a:

• Personal rating: On a scale of 1-5/5 (with five being the shows I recommend most)

• Three MPH rating: Slow, Slower, or Slowest (reflected by its pace and *vibes*)

• Worth Mentioning list: Additional shows beyond my top three

Am I being over the top with this? Absolutely, but life is more fun when you let your freak flag fly.

So without further ado, let’s dive right in.

For green-thumbed gardeners

Growing Floret (Max & Discovery+)

It’s not just a docuseries about a family-run flower farm; it’s a visual masterpiece. It truly earned its Emmy nomination for Outstanding Cinematography. I’ve never witnessed a show like this. Featuring a gorgeous display of flowers—including the most beautiful dahlias you’ve ever seen—the show gives viewers an inside look into Erin’s decision-making process as a business owner as she scales her operation. It’s an unforgettable series, and it will inspire you to go all-in with your creative interests.

• Personal rating: 5/5

• Three MPH rating: Slowest

Retro Plant Shop (Max & Discovery+)

This show made me want to quit everything, buy a mini RV, and launch a plant nursery like Mikey, Joanna Gaine’s sister. It was fun to watch Mikey start a business from the ground up while caring for her six kids. I loved following her journey, starting from humble beginnings to opening her new storefront at the Magnolia Silos. If you are a midcentury modern enthusiast who loves plants, this is a must!

• Personal rating: 4.5/5

• Three MPH rating: Slower

Homegrown (Max & Discovery+)

If you dream of growing a sprawling garden in your yard, you will love this show. Based in Atlanta, host Jamila helps families transform their lawns into functional backyard farms. It’s perfect for viewers who dream of starting a homestead where they can grow their own food but don’t have the acreage for it. The message of this show is that you can do a LOT more than you think with the space you currently have. You’ll learn so much!

• Personal rating: 4/5

• Three MPH rating: Slower

Worth Mentioning:

• The Big Flower Fight (Netflix) - 3.5/5, Slow

• The Garden Chronicles (Max) - 3/5, Slower

• Garden Hike (YouTube) - 5/5, Slower (It’s my uncle’s YT channel!)

For free-spirited travelers

Inn the Works (Max & Discovery+)

This series follows Lindsey, a design agency owner turned innkeeper who teams up with her three siblings to restore a motel property. It’s truly as heartwarming as it sounds. She adds a flair of midcentury design (love!) while honoring the lodge-inspired finishings. If you like this show, watch her other spin-off called Motel Rescue.

• Personal rating: 4/5

• Three MPH rating: Slower

Bespoke Inns (Max & Discovery+)

If you love visiting cute B&Bs—or someday dream of opening your own like my husband and I—then you’ll love this show. Each episode is less than 15 minutes long, so you can easily jump in and out of this series. As luck would have it, Episode 1: Foxfire Mountain House is my favorite because of the ethos and story behind the inn. But if you want to see an incredibly ambitious and artistic concept come to life, you’ll like Episode 6: The Maker.

• Personal rating: 4.5/5

• Three MPH rating: Slowest

Storefront Stories (Max & Discovery+)

Are you a wandering traveler who loves to explore boutiques and storefronts wherever you are? You’ll LOVE this show. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. It follows multiple store owners as they tell the stories behind their retail spaces along with the inspiration behind their designs. I especially liked the episodes featuring Pistils Nursery and Collier West.

• Personal rating: 4.5/5

• Three MPH rating: Slowest

Worth Mentioning:

• The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy (Apple TV): 4/5, Slow

• Down to Earth with Zac Efron (Netflix): 3/5, Slow

For DIY enthusiasts

Making It (NBC)

If you’re crafty—or at least admire crafty people like I do—this show is for you. It’s hosted by none other than Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. While this show is technically a prize competition, you’d never know it since all of the makers are so friendly and kind to each other. It’s very heartwarming! I’d be the first one in line to sign a petition so NBC adds Making It to Peacock.

• Personal rating: 4.5/5

• Three MPH rating: Slower

Flea Market Flip (Hulu & HGTV)

Everyone on this show makes furniture flipping look WAY easier than it probably is! It feels like I get to live vicariously through them whenever the contestants peruse flea markets and select their pieces. As a business owner, I also like how they explore setting the right price and negotiating with potential customers. It’s a very easy show to hop into if you’re looking for something lighthearted and creative.

• Personal rating: 4/5

• Three MPH rating: Slow

Bargain Block (Max & HGTV)

My dad and I used to love watching this down-to-earth home-flipping show. While other shows focus on luxury finishings and big budgets, partners Evan (builder) and Keith (designer) take a more budget-friendly approach. It’s not uncommon to see them living out of the homes they’re working on, moving their few possessions by wagon from house to house. Their goal is to revitalize Detroit neighborhoods one crumbling home at a time. Keith especially has an incredible eye for design!

• Personal rating: 4.5/5

• Three MPH rating: Slow

Worth Mentioning:

• Fixer Upper (Max & HGTV) - 4/5, Slower

• Ariel Bissett Renovation Videos (YouTube) - 4/5, Slower

• Happy to Be Home (Max & Discovery+) - 3/5, Slower

• Lone Fox DIY Videos (YouTube) - 3.5/5, Slower

• Good Bones (Max & HGTV) - 3/5, Slow

• For the Love of Kitchens (Max & Discovery+) - 3/5, Slow

For soulful foodies

The Big Brunch (Max)

There are SO many chef competition shows out there, and while I haven’t watched them all (not even close), this is my favorite rewatch. It’s hosted by Dan Levy (love!) and features diverse chefs from multiple culinary disciplines to cook a variety of delicious brunch dishes. Since it’s a competition, each chef shares why they’re competing and how they’d use the winnings. From hosting cooking classes to starting a restaurant pop-up to writing a cookbook, it’s cool to hear about their unique business plans.

• Personal rating: 5/5

• Three MPH rating: Slower

Baking It (Peacock)

What’s more festive than a holiday-themed baking show? No matter if you watch this leading up to the holidays or if you want to enjoy Christmas in July, you’ll love Baking It—a sister show to the previously mentioned Making It. The first season was hosted by Maya Rudolph and my first celebrity crush, Andy Samberg, but Amy Poehler joined Maya for the second season. It’s fun to watch what all of the home baker teams come up with.

• Personal rating: 3.5/5

• Three MPH rating: Slower

Drink Masters (Netflix)

This earns the top spot in my favorite rewatch competition show during the pandemic. I originally started watching in hopes of taking my cocktails (and mocktails) to the next level, but this was not that. The contestants aren’t your average at-home mixologists; they are experts at their craft. Some competition prompts allow the mixologists to work a couple of hours on ONE drink. It’s extraordinary. I wish I could sample every drink!

• Personal rating: 4.5/5

• Three MPH rating: Slower

Worth Mentioning:

• The Great British Baking Show (Netflix) - 4/5, Slower

• Be My Guest with Ina Garten (Max & Food Network) - 3.5/5, Slowest

What are your favorite slow, low-stimulant shows?

Tell us in the comments below. You may see it featured here soon!

You’ve probably seen this style of end-of-year recap before. I’ve never participated in the trend, but I felt compelled to create one this year.

Why? Because my heart needed it.

This may sound too familiar, but my 2024 was hard—capital “H” hard. However, its difficulties can’t snuff out the goodness that’s come from the past year, too.

Rather than allow a melancholic disposition to sneak into the new year, I want to begin by recalling the blessings 2024 gave me.

Because if we don’t look for the lovely, we may not savor it fully.

Welcoming our first niece

We were so excited last year when we heard Evan’s sister was pregnant! As luck would have it, our first niece was born on Valentine’s Day. So, instead of spending the day at a crowded restaurant with overpriced food, we took off from work and raced to Wisconsin to celebrate with Evan’s family in the hospital.

After grieving the loss of my dad and grandma, it felt so special to add to the family this time. As she was placed in my arms, I couldn’t help but envision what “auntie life” could look like. Since we live in Minneapolis and don’t see our niece as often, Evan and I talked about different day trip ideas and sleepover themes we could host as she gets older. The list is a mile long already. What a gift!

Gaining a sister-in-law

In addition to welcoming our niece into the family, we also officially gained a sister-in-law! She’s been a part of the family for as long as I have been. She started dating Evan’s brother a few weeks before Evan and I had our first date, so she’s always been a Mitchell in my eyes. It felt surreal to see them tie the knot while being married ourselves.

Standing by her side as a bridesmaid was one of my favorite moments of 2024. Not only was Evan asked to be the best man, but he also officiated the wedding. He did a wonderful job officiating, but his best-man speech was equally hilarious and tear-jerking. If I could relive this day over and over, I would!

Intergenerational friendships

One of the best blessings of living in our new neighborhood is my unexpected friendship with Tom, my 82-year-old neighbor. He’s proof of a life well lived.

We immediately connected over our love for dogs, but I was fascinated when he talked about co-authoring a book about his mom’s legacy at 81. After reading a gifted copy of the book, I knew Tom would be in my life for a long time. He teaches me so much about contentment and patience, and he expands my perspective on life.

From taking my pup Bailey to the dog park to playing hooky from work to riding in his new sports car to grab hot chocolate, it's a joy to simply be in his presence. If only God could have told me I’d be waiting a little longer during our home search so I could gain a once-in-a-lifetime friendship like this. It’s made the move even more worth it.

Date night wagers

Like most married couples, Evan and I found ourselves falling into a rut with our date nights. Our default was to eat at new restaurants, but after we settled into our home, we decided to shake things up a bit.

We called it the “Mitchell Games” which allowed us to plan four date nights each. After each date night, we’d privately record our ratings in categories like (1) atmosphere, (2) entertainment, (3) service, (4) food, (5) drink, and (6) overall experience.

The winner would get bragging rights and have a chance to double their holiday spending budget for the year—Christmas for me, Halloween for Evan.

While we should’ve put a budget range on the date nights (whoops!), we had a lot of fun with the wager. Life got busy, so we never tallied the scores to see who won, but now I know what we’ll be doing in the new year!

Our 9 ft tall Christmas tree

I’ve always dreamed of having a Christmas tree that’s taller than me. Since Evan and I give ourselves a holiday stipend of $150 every year, I blew almost all of it on a secondhand gorgeous 9 ft tall tree (thanks Facebook Marketplace!).

It is GLORIOUS. The tree lived a past life where it was featured at posh holiday parties for real estate agents and angel investors. Now, it sits in our quiet, humble family room while the fireplace roars. I hope it enjoys its second life here.

Seeing two of my favorite people meet

I’m no stranger to long-distance friendships. While living nearby isn’t a friendship deal-breaker for me, it’s difficult to introduce those you love when you live in different states. But this year, our fall trip to New England allowed my husband to meet one of my closest friends, Emily.

We explored historic downtown Exeter, shopped in Portsmouth, enjoyed the seaside view, and ate our weight in burrito bowls. Evan’s highlight was attending her family’s infamous Halloween party where we dressed up as the Step Brothers. While I’ll be flying back to New Hampshire in March to see Emily again for a work trip, I’ll always cherish this particular trip.

Meeting my long-time friend’s twin boys

I’ve known my friend Katie since eighth grade—yes, while I was still in braces—which makes her my oldest friend. She moved from Minnesota to Texas shortly before announcing she was pregnant with twins, and I couldn’t have been happier for her and her high school sweetheart.

While it’s been tough to be away for many of the milestone moments since we live on opposite sides of the country, I was so blessed to meet her twin boys during their first trip back to Minnesota. I’ve never held two babies at a time, and after only a couple of hours, I had ALL the respect in the world for how well they continue to care for their boys.

Sabbath Fridays

Sabbath Fridays are the best part of my week. It’s been a sacred weekly spiritual practice in my life for the last five years. Sabbath is more than a command from the Old Testament; it’s a holy gift that invites us to rest, delight, worship, and just be.

The simplest definition of Sabbath is to abstain from work, but it’s so much more. If you want to learn more about observing the Sabbath, I recommend starting with these Sabbath Practice videos. I can’t say enough about it, and I’ll likely have more essays dedicated to Sabbath experiences in the future.

Lavender lemonade

This was my official drink of the spring and summer, completed with aromatic lavender sprigs grown in my GreenStalk vertical planter. All that's needed is sparkling lemonade (preferably from Aldi) and lavender syrup (which I source from HomeGoods).

To make it a cocktail, add a shot of triple sec and an optional shot of vodka to make what my mom calls a “LemonEv”—lovingly named after my husband who created it. It's perfect for patio season—or any season, really.

Lasik

It's been one year of glasses-free living thanks to my Lasik surgery. I spent most of my twenties contemplating the surgery, but with the encouragement of Evan, I finally mustered up the courage to go under the laser.

Needless to say, this five-minute procedure has been life-changing! I hardly remember life before Lasik, and the cherry on top has been wearing fun, non-prescriptive sunglasses.

Throwing a second book launch party for my close friend

I believe all of life’s milestones are worth celebrating. While we often throw parties for new couples and new babies—which I LOVE—I try to look for opportunities to celebrate friends in other accomplishments that may otherwise go overlooked.

In 2022, I had the idea of creating a book launch party for my friend Evening to unveil her first book. Since it was so successful, we decided to look for a bigger location to host her second party and launch her new 30-day devotional. I hope to host more of these gatherings and celebrations for years to come.

Accidentally hiking a tall mountain

Wait, how did we do this on accident, you ask? Well, I created a White Mountain Forest travel itinerary that included walking paths, but after Evan expressed interest in hiking his first mountain, we scrapped my plans and quickly found another trail on an easier 2,000+ ft mountain.

We set out on the freshly fallen snow trail with lots of slippery rock scrambling—only to realize we missed our turn and climbed the wrong mountain! At least the view from Mount Jackson’s 4,000+ ft summit was astonishingly beautiful.

My vintage white linen shirt

I’ve been on the hunt for a soft, well-loved linen shirt for years, and I found one this year that feels like an old friend.

It’s even more special that I found it at the Minneapolis Vintage Market with two dear friends of mine. It’s become an instant staple piece in my closet, but it does not travel well in my suitcase. Lesson learned!

Board game nights

I want to be a board game person. There, I said it! Luckily, we have some friends who already love board games and have introduced us to many new ones.

I’m slowly learning what my board game tastes are. I seem to enjoy a mix of cozier and strategy-based games, but Bob Ross: Art of Chill is a recent favorite. We have yet to play Fog of Love—a two-player rom-com-style game that has my name written all over it—so that's an at-home date night idea for this winter.

Temporary office space

I’m currently training Bailey to be a sweet office pup. After working mostly from my laptop so I could keep an eye on her, I had an idea: What if I temporarily moved my office desk to the family room where she loves to perch on the couch?

Now Bailey can watch the wildlife and nap peacefully while I work on client projects and host client calls on my desktop. It's not the home office I originally pictured, but I'm grateful for our flexible spaces!

My first Three MPH photoshoot

I’m embarrassed to admit this, but my last professional headshots were taken back in 2017. Even so, I knew I wanted to capture new photos for Three MPH. As I pinned photo inspiration, a clear concept emerged.

When my client and newfound friend Aly of Aly Cross Photography expressed an interest in working on more branding shoots, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for us to experiment! It felt like Three MPH came to life when I saw the photo gallery for the first time. I’m so grateful for her contribution.

Readathon days

You may have seen the recent 24-hour readathon TikTok trend, but years ago, our readathon tradition was born. It began when my friend Ashley and I spent a 12-hour day silently reading in each other’s company.

Each time, we put a seasonal ambiance video on the TV (like this), read our individually selected books, and take frequent breaks for cooking and chatting. It’s been one of the greatest joys to open our home to more friends for this cozy weekend tradition.

Holiday movies

This year was the first time I put up holiday decorations before Thanksgiving. Since I was in the holiday spirit early on, I watched a LOT of holiday movies—sometimes two or three times each. While I don’t have an official number, I would imagine I watched around 20 holiday movies.

Most of them were the classics—The Grinch, Christmas Vacation, Jingle All the Way (set in Minneapolis!), and The Holiday, to name a few—but this year’s most-watched movie was The Family Stone.

I also hosted a Christmas movie marathon with a close friend, and we’re hoping to make it a new yearly tradition. While I don’t love holiday books, there’s something about holiday movies that seem to scratch an itch!

Vikings games at the US Bank Stadium

Evan won several brownie points when he surprised me with tickets to the Vikings vs. Colts game as an early birthday gift in November. As if it couldn’t have been any better, he made sure my mom and brother were able to join us.

While the first half wasn’t great—and very reminiscent of the 2022 historic comeback game we previously attended together—we had an exciting second half to celebrate. There’s nothing quite like the energy of a live football game!

My Cocktail Hour playlist on Spotify

Some people randomly add songs to their playlists and call it a day. Not me! I thoughtfully assemble my playlists, ensuring every song has a similar vibe and effortlessly flows from one track to the next.

I usually start with an emotion I want to convey through music. In this case, I wanted to capture the feeling you get when playing mixologist during an at-home date night where the only light comes from the fireplace. (See? I get oddly specific.)

The result is this Cocktail Hour playlist. It isn’t finished or perfected, but I’ve been enjoying the journey of crafting it.

The Office on repeat

I can hear Evan’s eyes rolling from the other room as I put this on my list, but it deserves a spot. While I’m no stranger to rewatching sitcoms, The Office will forever be my top comfort show.

In November, I even met Kate Flannery who plays Meredith in the show! Next year, I hope to turn our half-bath into a fun Office-themed bathroom. I promise to keep it (mostly) classy.

Library used book sales

While I have many unread books at home (no judgment zone, right?), I’m still a library enthusiast. One of my favorite events at our local library is the semi-annual used book sale. This year, before Christmas, our library decided to host a gift-quality book sale.

I walked out feeling like I hit the jackpot. I almost didn’t go to the sale because we were hosting a Friendsgiving for dozens of Evan’s coworkers later that night, but he knew I’d be happier and more energized if I went. He was right!

My favorite part of the day was when I met two older women who were also perusing the literary fiction table. They were excited to share their recommendations with me, and one commented that we were creating a little book club right there in the aisle. When I think about my favorite chance encounters of the year, this moment ranks high on the list.

Daily manna

When I’m in slower, more challenging seasons of life, I consider them my “daily manna” seasons. Like the Israelites journeying through the wilderness, we all encounter unexpected hurdles and setbacks in life.

In these drier seasons, we must see what’s in front of us as enough. God gave manna to the Israelites in the desert as a means of provision, even when they grumbled about its plainness (as I have often done this year). In his lovingkindness, he gives us exactly what we need for each day—no more, no less—and invites us not to hoard it out of anxiety or scarcity but to take only what we need for the day ahead.

“Daily manna” seasons are a constant practice in humility, gratitude, and self-denial. But it produces more fruit than the “easy” life I so often crave, so I’m thankful for the ongoing lesson.

This Three MPH community

After over a decade of online community building, this is one of the smallest yet most engaged communities I’ve had the honor of participating in.

I’m so grateful for every comment, newsletter reply, and conversation that has come from these Three MPH essays. If I don’t say it enough, thank you for being here.

What are some of your greatest blessings from 2024—both big and small? Tell me in the comments!

Is there a certain amount of money that will make us feel content while giving us a sense of safety and security? 

Many have studied this topic, and for almost a decade, we thought we had a clear, conclusive answer—finally. 

In 2010, two economists published a popularized study showcasing how money could only improve happiness to a certain point. Their findings capped peak happiness at around $75,000.

But now, over a decade later, economists say it’s much higher. 

Blame it on the rising inflation, competitive housing market, or our post-pandemic reality. No matter your prediction, a 2023 study found that happiness plateaus around $500,000. That’s a significant jump. 

Yet you’ll still find researchers arguing whether $100,000 is a more accurate predictor of happiness. When I became an entrepreneur in 2015, this number would’ve resonated with me.

The six-figure frenzy 

I entered online entrepreneurship during the online course boom which touted the idea of making a six-figure income from your passion. At the time, this wasn’t just a goal; it was the goal of every small business owner.

We were told reaching six figures would be a rite of passage. Not only was it possible, but you could stretch and go for seven—heck, even eight figures if you’re lucky!

Throw in a flexible schedule, part-time hours, poolside work dates, and flashy conferences, and you’ve got yourself a dream job!

Inevitably, one by one, entrepreneurs flocked to Instagram as they crossed the threshold. They always shared the same battle cry: “I made six figures this year!” The proclamation was usually paired with photos featuring the number 100 in balloons or lots of paper confetti.  

Hundreds of likes and comments would naturally flow in, but then the dust would settle. Instead of feeling like they had finally made it—like they had arrived—they were filled with an insatiable hunger to hit the next milestone.

As a former Twitter chat host and community builder, I had many private conversations with six-figure entrepreneur friends who were breaking down behind closed doors.

While their stories were unique, they had a few things in common.

They couldn’t take the pressure. They were losing sleep and struggling with their mental health. They didn’t feel at all how they thought they would feel.

And they couldn’t stop thinking about money. 

Sneaky forms of idolatry 

Entrepreneurship is unique because there’s no glass ceiling, no limit to what you can earn. But limitations are healthy for us as followers of Jesus.

Without limitations, we may begin to worship little gods.

Most of us aren’t fashioning gods out of gold and silver like the Israelites did in Exodus, but we still worship other idols in our lives. We aren’t immune to its temptation.

This is why we’re instructed to “keep ourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21) and “put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to [our] earthly nature.” (Colossians 3:5) And greed is certainly on that list.

We must heed this warning because Psalm 115:8 tells us “Those who make [their idols] become like them; so do all who trust in them.” This convicting truth should cause us to approach money differently than the rest of the world.

You may be reading this thinking your desire to make six- or seven-figures to provide for your family and bless your community doesn’t fall into the category of greed. You want to work diligently and give generously, and you know it takes money to accomplish that. 

I agree that we must not make an enemy out of money but rather resist the love of money. This means attaching our happiness to earning a certain amount of money is probably tied to a false sense of safety, security, and contentment—an idol.

There’s a reason why we’re called to manage and steward our money, not worship it. 

Paul plainly states, “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” in 1 Timothy 6:10. Jesus also warned against the love of money in 11 of his 39 parables, making up 15% of his recorded teachings.

And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus refers to the love of money as “mammon.” 

Understanding mammon

“Mammon” is a Hebrew word translated from the Aramaic word “mamon” and the Greek word “mammonas.” It’s been used to describe anything that promises material wealth, a love of riches that is opposed to the will of God.

In modern Biblical translations, we’ve been taught that “you cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24), but this verse really comes to life when you replace “money” with “mammon.”

You can’t serve these two masters because mammon will always distract you from becoming who God created you to be. It will distort your vision of God’s goodness and steer you toward a modernized definition of “financial freedom” which isn’t freedom at all.

As an entrepreneur, mammon can look like…

• Accepting a project that promotes something that goes against your values and beliefs because of the financial payoff.

• Being anxious about your financial future instead of putting your trust in the hands of your provider, your Jehovah-Jireh.

• Not paying a living wage to your independent contractors so you can profit more. 

• Promoting a low-quality product you don’t believe in because it was gifted to you.

• De-prioritizing rest without limiting work hours because you don’t have “enough.”

We need to ruthlessly eliminate the love of money from our lives.

Or, as Paul would say in 1 Corinthians 10:15, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” 

We can start by giving generously, praying consistently, and surrendering completely.

Consider where mammon may be tempting you.

Maybe it has tried to threaten your identity in Christ. Has it changed the way you view yourself and your ability to provide and invest in your family and community? Does it tempt you to put your value in what you earn?

Mammon is deceptive in nature, so take this moment to reflect and repent in the loving presence of Jesus.

When it’s brought into the light, that’s when we can experience true freedom in Christ—freedom beyond what the world (and mammon) could ever offer.

A moment to reflect

In what ways does money try to rule your thoughts, decisions, and actions? How can you healthily resist the temptation to put money first in your life?

You’ll begin by asking yourself practical questions.

Does the flow of the kitchen and bathrooms make sense? Can you see how your furniture might fit in the space? How about waking up to the view outside your bedroom window?

These ponderings are important, but the longer you spend touring a house, the more you’ll encounter deeper questions.

How does this home make me feel? How might I gather loved ones under this one roof? What kind of memories will we make here?

Once you’ve successfully envisioned a life within these walls, you’ll muster up the courage to boldly make a home offer.

But when the offer is rejected, you’ll wonder why you foolishly imagined your life inside a house that was never yours.

I still remember the first houses we toured.

A week before Christmas in 2022, we met our incredible realtor Sara for four showings on a quiet Friday night. The first snowfall marked the start of winter, creating a snowglobe effect as we drove.

We didn’t feel pressure to put in an offer on night one. Instead, we saw the evening as a blissful opportunity to compare notes before a date night in Stillwater—our favorite town in Minnesota with its riverside charm and historic roots. 

After getting our drinks—a gin cocktail for me and a locally crafted brew for Evan—we toasted to our future. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror along the back of the bar, wearing a hopeful smile that was unashamed of its glee.

As a kid, I thought searching for my first house would be a starry-eyed adventure, something straight out of House Hunters but with an extra dash of fun and excitement.

Our journey was anything but. 

As winter gave way to spring, every week was littered with showing appointments, texts, and phone calls with our realtor. Sometimes we’d work on multiple offer letters at a time. I tweaked my buyer letter story so many times that the carefully curated words no longer held their original meaning.

It was tiresome when we were ghosted by sellers after giving them what they wanted. It was tiresome when we received stacks of rejection letters every week, but having our shot at owning a lakeside home slip through our fingers in the final hours was devastating.

We were shell-shocked. We thought it was a done deal, but another buyer swooped in with an all-cash offer at the last second. Losing this particular home stung even more because we heard the news the day before we needed to decide to move out or renew our apartment lease.

It felt like the circumstances had forced our hand. 

We were filled with confusion, believing we had faithfully waited to search for homes after grieving an unexpected loss the year prior. No one could argue that we weren’t being proactive and obedient, but the length of our search caused some concern.

One friend suggested that maybe God didn’t want us to have a house. Another family member urged us to call it quits and wait until the market corrected itself.

Everyone seemed to have an opinion, but no one had to experience the pain of rejection like we did.

After seeking guidance in prayer, we renewed our lease with the shortest three-month option to give ourselves more time. We decided to yet again expand our radius, rethink our budget, and pray more for the neighborhood than the house itself.

Little did we know that in two weeks, we’d tour an outdated 1980s home that would soon become God’s best yes for us—immediately following the lake home rejection.

We just celebrated one year of being in our home two weeks ago.

Our house still has neon green carpet in two rooms and hideous wallpaper on most of the walls. We’ve hit some snags in the renovation process and put most of our money into “unsexy” projects—like adding gutters, replacing a few windows, fixing our chimney, and getting a new roof. 

But we’re making progress—albeit slowly—and consider ourselves blessed to be here. 

With some elbow grease and TLC, we believe this could be the home we will spend decades in. The kind of home where we’ll make updates based on what we envision versus what’s best for resale value, a home that will tell the story of our growing family as it evolves alongside us. 

Whenever I wonder if we’re in the right place, I’m filled with peace, knowing there must be a reason why this was our yes amidst a sea of no’s. And day by day, we get to discover why we were entrusted to steward over this home—and not any other.

A moment to reflect

What gives you hope during a waiting season?

I’ll share three things I’ve been loving, reading, watching, and listening to lately, and a few rhythms and routines I’ve been experimenting with.

Surprisingly, our summer began with a multitude of gloomy days spread throughout June. One after another, they led us to reschedule our plans, spend more time inside, and slow down.

While I’m not one for gloomy afternoons or driving in a downpour, the herbs in my vertical planter have been thriving. The dahlia buds are beginning to bloom. All the while, the vision for our backyard is slowly coming together.

Surrounded by a canopy of mature trees, we welcome the rich green of summer growth into our windowed view. While I could do without the swarms of mosquitos swirling in the yard—surely due to our proximity to the pond—it’s a small price to pay for our wooded oasis in the city.

This summer, I hope to take our pup on greater adventures and get reacquainted with road-tripping as a primary means of travel. I wish for day trips to become a mainstay on our summer calendar. I also want to build momentum for a digital product I’m creating behind the scenes, all while adjusting to a slower-paced timeline this time around.

With wondering things on the way, here’s a look at my summer favorites:

What I’m loving

Family-centered weekends

Evan and I have always put family first, and this summer has been no different. It’s been full of quality time, especially with Evan’s family in Wisconsin. We’ve had many opportunities to dote on our first niece. We danced the night away with his extended family at his godmother’s wedding (before Evan injured his knee on the dance floor… oops!). We had puppy play dates with both sides. We grilled food, ordered takeout, and tried our first trivia night with my mom and brother. We’ve shared the kind of memories we’ll treasure forever—even the ones scarcely captured on camera.

My love for mocktails continues

If the spring was all about lavender lemonade, then this summer has been all about making copycat Starbucks pink drinks at home. Not only has it been much more affordable than a walk to the nearby Starbucks, but I can adjust the ingredients to get just the right sweetness. This has been my favorite three-ingredient recipe so far, but it’s also fun to switch up the juice depending on your preferred palette.

Regular trips to plant nurseries

In addition to planting my vertical garden in the spring, we’ve made a few more trips to the garden center in search of a wide variety of perennials, mulch, potting soil, plant food, and beyond. We’ve also added hanging citronella plants to the patio in hopes of keeping the mosquitos away with minimal success. Every trip to the nursery feels like a nod to my dad. He had an enviable green thumb and would create the most beautiful container plants every year. He’d be proud of the small steps of progress we’re making with the unkempt lawn we inherited from the past owner (who lived in the home until she was 99 years old—yes, NINETY-NINE—so she has all of our grace and understanding).

What I’m reading

Al Fresco: Inspired Ideas for Outdoor Living by Julie Pointer Adams

If beautifully photographed coffee table books are your thing, you’re going to love Al Fresco. Each feature transports you to a dreamy outdoor scene filled with special moments and meals shared among loved ones. Alongside the stunning photographs are recipes, written interview responses, and inspiring quotes about dining outside. I aspire to put a screened-in gazebo in our yard with a long dining table for hosting guests, but a picnic in the park with our pup is a joyful alternative for now.

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

If you need a feel-good summer read with heart, The Lager Queen of Minnesota is IT. While I’m not a beer drinker, I loved reading this multi-generational tale of two sisters and their families after one sister talks their father into getting the entire inheritance to start a brewery. The only thing you need to know is it features a group of grandmas who come together to brew beer! If that sounds as heartwarming to you as it was to me, then pick this one up.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Now for something completely different: a YA fantasy duology called Divine Rivals! After hearing a recommendation from a trusted friend and seeing all the hype on Bookstagram, I picked this up and read it in one day. It centers on a closed-door workplace rivals romance—meaning it has no steamy scenes—and is set in a WWI-style war-torn region. It mixes mythology with magical typewriters and darker themes explored in a lighter tone. While I didn’t love the sequel Ruthless Vows quite as much, it was still a worthwhile read for atypical fantasy readers.

Substack Feature of the Month

by

Janelle is such a breath of fresh air. In addition to her fun Weekly (Joy)Caps, she writes about faith, motherhood, and slow living. I dare you to read her essay on When Self-Help Ain’t Helping and try not to nod along. It’s so convicting!

What I’m watching

The King of Queens

Evan and I have only ever watched reruns of The King of Queens, so watching it from the beginning on Peacock has been fun. He’s a long-time fan of Kevin James who plays Doug, but Leah Remini’s character, Carrie, and her father Arthur are my favorite. Since I’m a sucker for a good flashback episode, I enjoyed watching how Doug and Carrie met in an episode titled “Meet By-Product,” but there are so many good ones, especially in season two.

The Big Brunch rewatch

Who else adores everything David—I mean, Dan Levy—creates? If you’re a foodie or just someone who loves going out to brunch, you’ll love The Big Brunch on Max. Although it’s a cooking competition show, this diverse set of chefs are all so kind toward one another. Each chef was chosen based on their unique entrepreneurial dreams, but it’s about so much more than winning the money. If you’re looking for a cozy show featuring comfort food (and vibes), this is a good one.

Home library tours

To bide my time until I can create a home library and office of my own, I’ve been watching library tours on YouTube. The channel Homeworthy has some great ones, like this compilation of 6 Home Library Tours, but many YouTube creators are known to share a behind-the-scenes look at their shelves. I love tours that have built-in character or showcase an interesting organizational system, but there’s always a little something for everyone.

What I’m listening to

Three MPH playlist

I thought it was about time I created a Spotify playlist to pair with this newsletter. I plan to add more tracks as I go, but here’s a peek at the song lineup: Walk Slow, Not in a Hurry, Letting Go. My hope is for this playlist to create a calming place of presence and peace in any season.

Tom Lake audiobook

As if I couldn’t love Ann Patchett’s work anymore, she goes ahead and snags Meryl Streep as the narrator for Tom Lake. Iconic! While I had some bones to pick with the book—like the three sisters sounding like young teenagers rather than women in their early twenties—the Michigan lake setting made for an atmospheric read. I listened to it while scraping the very last wall of its wallpaper in our future bedroom, so it will always mark a celebratory moment in time for me.

Cozy Club podcast

My only regret is finding the Cozy Club after the co-hosts have seemingly retired from the podcast. While I’ve loved listening through Monica and Regan’s archive, I’m nearing the end of their available episodes. I’d love for them to restart the show, but in the meantime, they’re also fun to follow on Instagram at @peruseproject and @monicakim.jpg.

A season to remember

What have you been loving this summer?

Math was an ever-evolving puzzle with more variables added each year, making the equations harder to solve. Science required us to follow instructions during experiments, but my hands failed to repeat the same steps I had just watched.

I didn't have the memory recall to ace history, and despite being in the 99th percentile for height all my life, it didn't afford me the athletic prowess one might expect for gym class.

I was anything but remarkable. But with age, I grew more comfortable with not being the best at anything. I slowly realized it came with a lot less pressure.

I learned to sit quietly in rooms with experts who knew more than I did, and I loved being in the company of those with more experience. But before you assume I'm a glowing picture of humility, know there's a clink in my armor.

I don’t need to be the best, but I cannot stomach being the worst at something.

I’m unsure of its origin, but I remember a key moment when being the worst at something nearly broke my spirit.

In seventh grade, our class project was to create a ceramic piece inspired by Greek mythology. We spent the next two weeks molding clay into a bowl-shaped vase with a small lip and handle.

As I sculpted my vase, I compared its quality and design to those around me.

Halfway through the unit, I could see I was days behind most of the other students.

Picking up the pace, I worked for the next week on getting the handle just right. I'd roll the clay in my hands, shape it to a desired thickness, and attempt to smooth the fingerprint-indented creases—but the handle never looked quite right.

I did this dozens of times while my classmates moved on to painting their vases.

One day, I went to the teacher in search of guidance. Maybe a pointer or two could help me get back on track.

I put my vase and vulnerability in her hands, and she crushed them both.

"Class, listen up," she said standing up from behind her desk, projecting loudly across the room. "This is an example of what not to do."

Then she inspected my vase in closer detail before turning her attention toward me.

"You'll only receive a passing grade if you start over, but you don't have the time. I suggest doing what you can to salvage what’s here."

As I walked back to my seat, my shoulders already hunched in defeat, she pierced me with four little words:

"You're not an artist."

It wasn't the first time my art or work had been critiqued, and I never dreamed of becoming an artist, but her words still struck me with a blow.

For the rest of seventh grade, I walked shamefully into art class. I'd had a sinking feeling I was the least talented in the class, but with her public proclamation, it felt like my insides were turned outside.

Now everyone could see I was a girl who masked her lack of talent with tireless effort.

The same vase sits behind a pane of glass in my mom's hutch cabinet.

I’ve asked her to give it to me several times—with the full intention of breaking it into pieces and hiding the evidence—but she says she’ll hold onto it in case I change my mind later.

She assumes it’s my passion for minimalism talking, a sneaky way to get rid of any relic of my youth that I deem unnecessary right now. She thinks one day I’ll regret it.

But how do I tell her it goes deeper than that?

Years ago, a close friend’s newfound love for ceramics had pulled her from the depths of burnout and despair.

Her eyes danced as the stories spilled out of her, tales of the many treasures she’d crafted on the pottery wheel.

Not sensing my discomfort, she asked if I might join her someday. It was a simple invitation, but I had encountered the pain of my incompetence before. I didn't think I could do it again.

While my tenuous relationship with ceramics remains unchanged, I became somewhat reacquainted with it during a surprise date night.

Earlier this year, to celebrate our dating and engagement proposal anniversary—both conveniently land on February 15th—Evan took me to Upstairs Circus in downtown Minneapolis. With a tagline like “Where DIY Workshop Meets Bar,” I knew this setting meant I’d be creating art in public again.

As Evan ordered our cocktails and excitedly skimmed the “project menu”—a list of DIY art projects you can build in an hour or two—my nerves began to set in. With his encouragement, I selected a concrete-style jewelry tray made of clay.

I know this should’ve been an opportunity for us to create handmade trinkets for our home, but I didn’t see it that way. I was terrified I was going to screw it up. I second-guessed my ability to correctly read the instructions. I set multiple timers on my phone to ensure I stayed on task.

I even looked to Evan for constant reassurance as if he knew the right way to complete the project. He knew even less than I did as he turned back to finish his own: a Packer-themed magnetic key holder for our garage.

As the night came to a close, I finished coloring the stenciled cactus outline on my tray—inspired by my Arizonian roots—and hurriedly painted the sides in a terracotta hue. Then we took a quick selfie photo with our projects before heading home.

When we arrived home, Evan promptly nailed his key holder to the wall while I zeroed in on my tray’s obvious flaw.

All of the painted sides were blended well—except for one rogue stroke. And, as luck would have it, the brush stroke was right in the front of my tray.

Evan reassured me it still turned out beautifully, but all I could see was my rushed mistake. (I promise I’m usually much more fun on date nights!)

When I tried to hide the tray behind books the next day, he relocated it to our entryway, making it the first thing guests saw when they entered our home.

The tray and its key holder counterpart are still displayed in our home.

I pass by them every day—warts and all—and I can’t believe how much power I gave it. I let a kind gesture—like my husband planning a thoughtful anniversary date—turn into a chance to prove my worth in hopes my art teacher had it all wrong.

I don’t know if we can ever silence our doubts until they are imperceptible, but we can try to quiet them so they’re not louder than the voices of love and compassion.

I’ve had more practice with this since then.

I practiced when my husband secretly signed us up for a volleyball team as I fretted over my complete lack of experience. Or when I was limited in what floral arrangement I could create after unexpectedly slicing my finger open an hour before the workshop. Or when I made an easier dish for a foodie-themed book club knowing fully well it would be the most lackluster thing there.

And I survived it.

As I make new friends and take on new challenges, I’m introduced to a whole new world of things I’m the worst at. And I’ve learned the only thing worse than being the worst at something is opting out because of it.

A moment to reflect

Can you remember a time when you were the worst at something? How did you overcome that feeling and create a more affirming experience?

There are hundreds of good reasons—if not thousands—to explain why we routinely find ourselves in a frenzy, but many researchers acknowledge the Industrial Revolution as the tipping point.

The result? Modern hustle culture.

When I first entered entrepreneurship, hustling had a positive connotation. It was worn like a badge of honor to show others you were important enough to be busy. 

Today, more people are beginning to see hustling as the completely unsustainable practice it is. 

Hustle culture has always encouraged us to work tirelessly at the expense of our physical and mental well-being, all in the name of efficiency.

“Get up and grind” isn’t just a cute saying on a coffee mug; it’s the tired anthem of those who work in a society that prizes productivity at all costs.

While hustle culture affects people at every level, the effects can be harrowing for entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and the self-employed.

Entrepreneurship was sold to us as the land of milk and honey, giving us unfettered access to the freedom and flexibility we’ve always dreamed of. But nobody told us it's a double-edged sword.

On one hand, you can control your schedule more than those with a nine-to-five job, but you’ll pay for it through your on-call availability.

You’ll start to believe since you can technically work from anywhere at any time, you probably should. When you inevitably overbook and overwhelm yourself, you’ll feel like you’re the only one to blame.

Work trips will soon become synonymous with vacations, usually focused on attending large, overstimulating conferences which leave you with a feeling of information overload. And sure, you may be at the pool during your breaks, but you’ll still be on your laptop logging in more hours or writing emails.

Let’s face it: it’s still work, just with a better view. 

Still, we buy into the lie that this can still be considered “time off.”

In an article sharing three ways to achieve work-life balance when taking time off as an entrepreneur, the second strategy read, “If you have to work regardless, you might as well travel more often.” The author touts this as a way to “have your cake and eat it, too.”

But when we step back, we see what’s wrong with this picture. 

If we’re required to respond to emails and messages as quickly while we’re away as we are at home, we’ll never be able to unplug.

Nearly a decade ago, a survey found that while 57% of business owners planned on taking a vacation, only 9% would follow through. Today, I’m willing to bet these numbers are even more abysmal.

Some entrepreneurs don’t even remember what a real vacation looks like. 

With no supervisor advocating for you to take time off, you may find yourself lost in an endless sea of to-do’s, wondering when you can finally come for air.

It’s hard to mentally “check out” when your daily responsibilities and routine are so intertwined with your work, but we need not be dismayed. At the risk of sounding like a bad infomercial, there’s a better way forward. 

That’s what we’ll explore together through these essays.

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I created this anti-hustle space to connect with other entrepreneurs and creatives who want to ditch burnout and thoughtfully design a slow-paced business and life. 

If that sounds like you, I’m so glad you’re here.

I’ll have much more to say on this subject, but for now, I’d love to connect in the comments and hear your own hustle culture story. 

A moment to reflect

How has modern hustle culture affected the pace at which you live and work? In what ways can you counterbalance this by intentionally setting your own pace?

As she carefully walked me through her list, I thought about how often I discarded and redrafted my goals—sometimes multiple times throughout the year. 

I almost had to laugh.

Surely she couldn’t be serious with this list, right?

But she was.

And only a few years in, she was already well on her way to a perfect score. 

Mind you, these weren’t small goals, either. 

She wrote down things like buying a house, becoming a mother, starting a business, and learning new skills that take years to master.

Some of the goals seemed out of her control, and yet they were crossed off one by one.

The secret to her goal setting seemed to rest in her ability to envision an in-between future—something further than a year but shorter than a lifetime.

An in-between future may not feel like it’s within immediate reach, but at a moment’s notice, it can feel as if it could be—and that’s what’s so intoxicating about it.

Shortly after we talked, I decided to create my own ten-year goal list. 

Yes, right there on the spot.

My initial plans consisted of re-reading Big Magic on the patio while drenched in sunlight with my phone turned off. But goal setting seemed like a more productive way to use the retreat, so I thought I’d try my friend’s method and focus on the in-between future.

It was dreadful.

The whole exercise made me feel untethered rather than inspired, leaving me with a plan I would surely scrap in a few months.

I spent most of the time blankly staring at the page, willing my brain to come up with a fresh vision for my life, but revelation never came.

So I left my in-between future in the rear view as we traveled home from the retreat.

Today, I couldn’t tell you a fraction of the goals I set during the retreat.

The list must be buried somewhere in a tattered journal. I might have looked at them once before placing the papers in my drawer.

If I had to guess, I probably wrote down things like finding a partner, getting married, and buying a home—all things I’ve done since then. 

But now I think about the things that should have been on my list: going to therapy, observing a weekly Sabbath, taking time off to grieve an unexpected loss, and incorporating an energized puppy into my schedule. 

These weren’t on my radar at the time, but oh how essential they’ve become!

While the allure of accomplishment and self-improvement remains, I’ve come to realize how little I know about my in-between future. And I’m finally okay with it.

Now, when friends tell me their five-year and ten-year goals, I smile.

Whether their goals stay the same or evolve, whether they’re checked off in chronological order or become a distant memory, I celebrate them all the same.

A moment to reflect 

How do you feel about goal setting? What emotions come up when talking about your goals?

I had just retrieved a cart, making my way to the back of the store. 

After grabbing eggs and oat milk, I maneuvered around two elderly women in the dairy aisle as they chattered about their upcoming weekend plans. Their voices danced with delight as they conversed easily with each other. 

It wasn’t as if time stood still; it was as if it didn’t exist.

They hadn’t realized their carts were blocking the rows of sliced cheese. Although I’ve been dairy-free (and gluten-free) for over two years, my Wisconsinite husband considers pepper jack cheese a weekly staple in our home, so I didn’t want to leave without it. 

Balancing on one foot, I hovered over their carts to select the right variety.

One of the women stopped herself mid-sentence and said, “Oh, dear, we didn’t realize we were in the way!” I assured them they were right where they needed to be and went on with my shopping.

As I worked through the rest of my list, I continued to bump into them—sometimes literally.

We saw each other in the pasta and soup aisle, the snack aisle (my personal favorite), and the breakfast foods aisle. They extended an affectionate greeting each time, joking about putting their cart’s brake lights on and assuring me that despite what it looked like, they weren’t intentionally trying to follow me.

Near the bread aisle, we met again. The more talkative of the two said, “There you are! We’ve seen you so many times, it’s like you’re a part of our family.”

Warmth flooded my body.

“That’s it. I’m adopted now. I guess I’m coming home with both of you,” I teased.

They got a kick out of this, laughing heartily down the aisle before apologizing that they needed to cut our conversation short. One of the women had forgotten an item on her list and had to track it down. 

Before leaving, she called over her shoulder, “We shop on Wednesday mornings if you want to join us again, sweetheart.” I beamed and told them I might have to make it my new grocery day.

Upon entering the self-checkout area, I noticed every other shopper had their heads down, their hands hurriedly bagging each item.

I made a conscious effort to bag my groceries slowly, hoping to meet someone in the eye and perhaps share a smile, but with no luck. They chose convenience over conversation much like I often do.

As my receipt printed, I was delighted to see the women rounding the corner. 

“Look, it’s our sweetheart,” she announced, pointing toward me for her friend to see. Both of them waved.

I waved back and said, “It was nice to meet you, ladies. Have a wonderful rest of your day!”

After packing the groceries in my car and taking a left onto the highway, I was struck by how this simple set of interactions could change the trajectory of my day. 

I felt lighter. I felt more joyful. I noticed my tone was kinder when speaking to a friend and softer when redirecting my dog on our walk—all because these full-of-life women gave me the gift of their presence. And, in turn, I was able to offer my own.

What if I would’ve put my earbuds in, listening to a podcast to pass the time?

What if I gave my attention to a screen instead of meeting the gaze of my neighbor?

I would have missed it—that rare, serendipitous moment when a stranger becomes a newfound friend.

The funny thing is I normally shop on Mondays at a different grocery store two blocks away. 

But this chance encounter has inspired me to try Wednesday mornings. Maybe I’ll see them again in their puffy coats and wool mittens, waving me over to welcome me once again into their joyfully mundane.

A moment to reflect 

What is one way you can stay more present and embrace the moment while you’re out in public? How can you make something as simple as running errands feel significant?

As a conscious digital consumer, I love getting curated recommendations from other Substack authors rather than trying to make sense of the firehose of suggestions coming from social media. You too? You're in good company. 

Here, I’ll share three things I’ve been loving, reading, watching, and listening to lately, and a few rhythms and routines I’ve been experimenting with.

Spring began with a quick girl’s trip to Nevada with my mom where we spent most afternoons by the pool with a good book.

Even though we had an oddly mild winter, I’m looking forward to a longer spring (minus my seasonal allergy flare-ups).

Our lilac shrubs are just starting to blossom, and it recently warmed up enough for me to plant an herb and veggie garden in my GreenStalk Garden vertical planter.

This spring, I want to perfect my lavender lemonade recipe, change my scenery more often, frequent the library, and eat lunch outside on our shaded patio.

With wonderful things on the way, here’s a look at my recent favorites:

What I’m loving

Nightly mocktails

As a puppy parent, I’m always looking for ways to tell my brain it’s time to rest and relax. To spice things up, I started mixing mocktails at night—complete with fancy glasses, fruit-infused ice, and homemade dried citrus garnishes! The viral Sleepy Girl Mocktail gets a 5/10 from me, but I love this Stonewall Mocktail with a sugar and cinnamon rim. 😍

Work sessions at the library

I used to work from the library a few days a week before the pandemic hit. As a beverage goblin who’s always snacking, the library is my haven since I can bring food and drinks from home. I’ve been going to the library closest to our new home at least once a week, and it’s been amazing. If you frequently work from the coffee shop, switch it up with the library.

Vintage shopping with friends

I’m in my thrifting era! My favorite things to thrift are glassware, sweaters, denim, decor, and books (obviously). On a recent trip with a friend, I bought an Italian 1980s denim dress that’s *chef’s kiss* and a burnt orange Italian 1990s suede jacket from Moth Oddities. I also went to the outdoor Minneapolis Vintage Market last weekend with two friends. I found an item I was on a mission for—the soft white linen shirt of my dreams which I’m currently wearing—and a 1960s vintage seersucker blazer that fit perfectly.

What I’m reading

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Anne begins Bird by Bird with a promise: to teach us everything she knows about writing. With a mix of fictional writing exercises and hard-fought wisdom, Anne candidly shares her journey in hopes of inspiring our own. Even though I’m not a fictional writer, I still gleaned a lot from these pages. On Writing Well and Writing for Busy Readers are up next for Q3!

Evidence by Mary Oliver

I haven’t written much poetry since I self-published Brave Little Bones in college, but one of my 2024 reading goals is to read more poetry. Mary Oliver is my all-time favorite, but this collection of hers was particularly breathtaking. In her signature style, Mary explores the beauty of nature in free verse.

The Little Book of Big Dreams by Isa Adney

I love it when a friend writes a book and you genuinely LOVE it. Crafted over nine years, Isa interviewed entrepreneurs, Disney executives, athletes, and others in search of what makes big dreamers unique. She then turned the stories into a narrative non-fiction book called The Little Book of Big Dreams. Some features had me tearing up, and I devoured it in two days. You’ll love it!

Substack Feature of the Month

by

I interned for Lindsay many years ago, and it’s been fun following along with her slow business journey as a brand designer and new mom. I especially liked her essay Why Don’t We Hang Out Anymore? about how to redefine togetherness in the digital age.

What I’m watching

Finished Parks and Recreation (again)

After watching The Office for the eleventh time (my ultimate comfort show), I decided to switch it up with Parks & Rec. It might be my fifth or sixth time watching the series, but it cemented Ben as my favorite character in the show. Few moments have made me laugh more than Ben’s Claymation scene. The Cones of Dunshine subplot is also iconic.  

House renovation videos from Ariel Bissett

I love watching home reno videos while taking a break from my renovation projects. Ariel Bissett, who’s currently renovating her 1850s farmhouse, is a BookTuber turned interior design YouTuber. She considers her style “eclectic maximalist” which couldn’t be more different from my own (cozy cottage minimalist with a mid-century modern twist), but her videos are SO delightful. Start with her Updated House Tour and Building the Perfect Reading Nook videos.

Romcom movie marathons

I firmly believe romcoms are a great choice any time of the year, but they’re especially cozy in the spring. I’ve been rewatching 13 Going on 30 (because we all wanted to be Jenna Rink, right?), Legally Blonde, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. And who else watches The Holiday even after the holidays? *confidently raises hand*

What I’m listening to

Book Girl audiobook by Sarah Clarkson

Book Girl, among other non-fiction audiobooks, has kept me company as I remove wallpaper from our primary bedroom. It’s a tedious job, but listening to a bookish author and theologian share her favorite classics felt like a lovely retreat. I wish I had a print copy I could refer back to for each book list, but it was a simple and enjoyable listen even though our reading tastes are a bit different. 

Stick Season album by Noah Kahan

Noah Kahan has been on repeat lately. He’s been selling out shows left and right, so this isn’t an “underground” recommendation, but it’s an honest one. All My Love is my go-to song from this album, but Catastrophize is my favorite lesser-known gem. Thanks, Hannah, for the recommendation!

The Collaboratory podcast by Emily Jamieson

If you’ve never tried a listening prayer exercise, please tune into The Collaboratory. With season two already underway, you’ll have plenty of episodes to choose from, including Release Control and When God is Quiet. They’re a wonderful way to begin your slow morning.

A season to remember

What have you been loving this spring?

It slowly emerged after navigating through a difficult season of career burnout over eight years ago.

At just twenty-three years old, my work had already become my identity. I worked seventy to eighty hours a week, devoting all my time to building large online communities while trying to make a name for myself.

I was successful at it…until I wasn’t. And then it all came crashing down. 

I thought I was walking with God since He called me to entrepreneurship, but really, I was doing whatever I wanted to do and asking God to bless it. I learned how wrong I was after reaching a breaking point in my mental health.

I’ll unravel this story in more detail later, but know this newsletter idea was born out of a time of great vulnerability and humility.

While I didn’t initially set out to create an anti-hustle space, I felt inspired to share more of my intentional living journey around my mid-twenties.

Naturally, I wanted to dive right in but was afraid to repeat the same burnout cycle I had just put an end to. So I surrendered the idea and laid it down in prayer, asking God to tell me when to pick it back up.

I listened for His voice, but when a few months turned into a few years, I wondered if the idea wasn’t meant for me. Maybe I had gotten it wrong.

I wish I’d known I wasn’t supposed to write the story yet; I needed to live it first.

A couple of years into the pause, I stumbled across a sermon recording on YouTube. Embarrassingly, I can’t remember who preached it—mostly due to my habit of watching almost daily sermons at the time—but I remember its message.

In the middle of the sermon, the pastor said…

“Jesus accomplished the greatest mission the world has ever seen, and he did it at three miles an hour.” 

Then he continued his message as if he hadn’t said the most profound thing. Fearing I would forget it, I quickly jotted it in my journal. But weeks later, it was still on my mind.

As I journaled more and read the four Gospels, it struck me how unhurried Jesus was. From meeting with the woman at the well to healing the woman with the issue of blood (yes, even while He was on the way to yet another healing), Jesus never changed His pace.

He never rushed from appointment to appointment. He didn’t succumb to the frenzy of the world. He chose to walk among crowds in the same way He walked to solitary places to pray (Mark 1:35).

This man who could do anything made the conscious decision to live His life slowly. 

His pace was remarkable then, and even more so now.

So I had to ask myself…

What would it look like to live at His pace? 

This simple question took me on a multi-year exploration, leading me back to the idea I had once surrendered.

There’s so much meaning in a name, but getting it right can feel like a fool’s errand.

On rare occasions, an obvious name may appear early in the brainstorming process, but any entrepreneur will tell you not to fall in love with a name until you’ve done your research.

With over 543,000 new businesses launching monthly, you’ll likely stumble upon a name already in use. And as you research, you’ll quickly see why they say there’s nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Since I had previously heard the concept of moving at three miles per hour, I had a sinking feeling the domain name was already taken.

When I began my search, I first typed in “3mph.com.” It was indeed taken, but it wasn’t active. I decided to contact the current owners of the domain but was quickly quoted a price of almost $30,000—far beyond the reach of a passion project.

I feared I had reached a dead end, the finality of an idea that never existed. 

Over the next few nights, the name would not leave me alone.

It kept coming to mind, disrupting my sleep and sanity. I couldn’t seem to let it go. 

Paying for the original domain name still felt out of the question, but what if I looked at the name from another angle? Then I considered spelling out the number three, something that hadn’t occurred to me initially. 

I typed in “threemph.com,” and yet again, it was taken. But this time, it redirected to the owner’s website. I was tempted to write this off as another dead end, but I figured if I had already reached out to one owner, I could try to contact another.

I wrote a short email about my interest in the domain name, held my breath, and sent it. I didn’t think I’d hear back, but three days later, I got a reply. 

The owner mentioned he previously had a plan for how to use the name but didn’t think he’d ever get to it, so he asked about my mission. He wanted to ensure it would go to a good “home” if he let it go.

My next reply detailed my idea and quoted a maximum price of what I was willing to spend. He responded that he deeply related to my mission and was willing to transfer it to me at no cost. 

I was dumbfounded. This stranger—a man I’d never met with a face I’d never seen—was willing to forgo a domain name sale because he simply wanted me to “create something beautiful with it.”

All he asked in return was to share in whatever I created next. 

I left out an important detail. 

Amid this simple email exchange, God hadn’t told me to pick up the idea.

I know, I know, old habits die hard and all that. 

But because of His infinite grace, I recognized God had moved mountains to give me this name—something I didn’t deserve in my moments of impatience.

Refreshed with gratitude, I promised the Lord I wouldn’t do anything more with it until He gave me the green light.

No brainstorming. No outlining. No designing. And, hardest of all, no writing.

It was a year and a half before the Lord gave me the green light. It came in the form of an ordinary walk around the neighborhood trails with my pup Bailey. 

On a chilly December morning in the silent woods, I heard whispers of revelation and encouragement, confirming it was time to walk boldly into Three MPH.

And with that, I cautiously picked it back up.

If I started this space when I had wanted to, it wouldn’t look like it does today. 

It would’ve been centered around my story instead of encouraging others to share theirs. I probably wouldn’t have talked as overtly about my faith. It’s possible it would’ve morphed into another opportunity for monetization since I have a laughable tendency to turn all of my hobbies into businesses.

But as the name suggests, Three MPH needed time to develop; it couldn’t have been rushed.

In truth, Jesus has already invited all of us into a life where we can work and rest at a distinctly different pace than the rest of the world. 

And if we’re willing to “ruthlessly eliminate hurry,” we may reap the eternal rewards of a simple life together.

A moment to reflect 

Where do you sense impatience or distraction in the ideation process?

Our lives are marked by the pace at which we live them.

As a child, we heard fables that championed the tortoise, but everything in our society promotes the way of the hare—the relentless pursuit of more.

It should come as no surprise that our default pace is often hurried and harried.

From mind-numbing scrolling to noisy advertisements, we feed into algorithms and systems designed to create hurry sickness and chronic burnout. 

This addiction to what Ronald Rolheiser called “pathological busyness” is even more common among creatives and entrepreneurs. Call it an occupational hazard, but its long-term effects can be disastrous. 

How many of us pick up our phones first thing in the morning or aimlessly scroll our nights away? Still, no matter how much time we give our devices, there always seems to be more content to consume.

It can feel as though we’ll never catch up.

In a digital age where distractions abound, the healthiest response is to go against the grain and create a Three MPH life.

What does Three MPH mean?

Three miles per hour represents the distinct difference between moving at an average walking pace vs. an all-out sprint. But in a world of great urgency, walking can feel countercultural.

Consider how often we use the word “run” in our daily conversations.

We’re “running” the race while “running” our businesses as if hustle is required for the long “run”—until we completely “run” out of steam.

When the very fabric of our society prioritizes speed above all else, rejecting the rat race is not only rare; it becomes radical.

To “ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life,” as Dallas Willard recommends, you must be willing to pause, reflect, and confront hustle culture head-on.

Thankfully, as you find yourself on this unconventional journey, you won't have to travel alone. Here, we explore how our work and lives can be enriched by moving at the sustained pace of Jesus.

Instead of pursuing convenience and ambition at all costs, we’ll cultivate a quiet, contemplative way of living that produces our best work. It won’t be easy, but it will be simple. 

At Three MPH, we believe…

• Bigger is not better. 

• Rest is essential for deep work. 

• Hurry is the enemy of rest. 

• Intention restores our attention. 

• Every decision we make is a part of our formation.

To create an unhurried life, we’ll need to marry the practical with the purposeful. That’s what we’ll aim to do together.

By subscribing to Three MPH, you’ll receive an ongoing collection of essays written by a fellow slow-living enthusiast and recovering workaholic who aims to demystify the journey ahead. Consider me less of an “expert” (we don’t need more of those) and more of a friend along the way.

Some essays will be deeply personal while others will be written in a collective voice. Some speak against modern hustle culture while others turn ordinary experiences into everyday lessons. Most will reveal the challenges and joys of intentional living, but all essays end with a moment to reflect and participate in the conversation.

Starting a large movement and amassing followers is certainly not the goal here. Instead, we intend to foster community, create intimate spaces, and openly share what we know—all in hopes of creating a Three MPH life.

Won’t you join us?

A moment to reflect

What is one decision that’s helped you intentionally decrease the pace of your life or business? Share it with us in the comments.