An update of my life from the wildest year yet!
Wow has 2020 been an absolute whirlwind both mentally, emotionally and socially. We have learned how to adapt, overcome but also take a step back and address what is and is not working for us. Whether it is becoming a social activist and raising awareness for issues that we find not acceptable; to rallying behind our friends struggling with a Covid 19 loss; even as far as spearheading a new business with the additional time we have found ourselves having. Time might be going slow and we might be self isolating but we are also self discovering and self dominating.
This year has been an interesting one for me personally. I started off the 2020 just consulting for my consulting firm, finding new clients had deemed challenging and I was finding myself in isolation long before it was mandated. I was feeling lost, trapped, alone, etc. All the things you feel as an entrepreneur. I still consider myself a new mom because I am learning new things every day on how to be better, how to give myself grace and how to laugh in the face of total destruction of my picture perfect living room.
So once the pandemic hit in March of 2020, I decided to dip my toe into the workforce again. Yes, call me crazy on the timing but it FELT right. It felt like it was something I needed to do for me. Selfishly FOR ME, after being selflessly about everyone else but me for so long. I always knew my life would be all consumed by my little dude, and honestly I am okay with it 99% of the time; it’s that 1% that gives me anxiety and triggers my depression (that I have been battling for almost 15 years). While that 1% is so so small, it is mighty when it comes to my self depreciation.
Need tips on time management? Please click here.
In May 2020, I started working for an amazing local nonprofit that works with transitioning Veterans. It was the perfect fit. I had witnessed my husband transition without as much guidance as he deserved and I wanted to change that for other Veterans. I wanted to apply my 8+ years of marketing skills for a purpose and my purpose (beyond motherhood and being a wife) has been found. If you would like to donate, please click here! Every $1 counts when it comes to our cause.
What I wasn’t expecting, even being part-time, the physical and mental drain I would feel day in and day out. Leaving my baby everyday after not leaving him for the first 18m of his life was a new type of hurt that I had never experienced. Some days I have to leave before he wakes up and it really messes with my day to not enjoy that first giggle every morning singing the good morning song and getting those much missed snuggles that I craved all night long when he was sleeping. Yes, I am totally obsessed with my little Logan and I am not ashamed of it for a minute!
The most challenging learning curve that I have had to face was dinner. I know, so simple but so mighty. What the hell am I going to make for dinner every night, how am I going to keep things wholesome after a long day, how am I going to keep introducing new things to Logan? So if you haven’t noticed I have been posting my nightly dinners on IG stories, IG Reels and TikTok so I can share the simple but delicious happenings in my kitchen as of late. I am sharing so that way I can hopefully inspire another Mama that it doesn’t need to be complicated. Following in the footsteps of my favorite cooking icon, Sandra Lee, I am making everything “semi homemade” because who the hell has time for more? Check out my reels on IG.
Need tips on how to improve your work/life balance? Check out this post.
What else have I been doing to achieve that balance? I started taking Peloton cycling classes a couple months ago. That high I get from pushing those pedals is UNMATCHED! Even if it is a quickie 20 minute ride or if I am going the distance, it really is that little piece of self care that has been missing without the gym the past few months. As some of you know, I was an athlete for a good portion of my life, yah girl had ABS! But now I am more flabs than anything but that’s a whole other self deprecating situation in my life that has no space here. However, I am taking care of myself. I might not have abs but I have strength both physical and mental. That’s all that matters at the end of the day right?
So now we are in the back half of 2020, so close to the “THE END” of the most challenging year for so many around the world. It is not missed on me that the world is ending in so many ways. People are getting so bold with their words, so brazen in their acceptance of things that are unacceptable and Trump (enough said). So during this time I have become an advocate for social change as much as I can. Not feeling “safe” to protest when everything happened because I am high risk but putting my money where my mouth is and using my platform/community I have built to bring awareness of issues that need to be addressed.
With 2020 coming to a close, next month, I will have a 2 year old, I will also have hit 4 years in marriage. In 5 months I will be 30. & maybe, just maybe I might crash my hesitation at having another child (don’t quote me, it’s not in the plan).
I am working on meeting moments with the same ferocity and intention that they deserve and I am working on being more transparent with the world on how it aint all glitter but more so a piece of shit covered in glitter most of the time but guess what? When you make shit sparkle, you can sell it like gold!
Stay in touch & as always, slide into the DMs! I love connecting with all of you, even when life is shit covered in glitter just as much as when life is flawless diamond in the rough.
XO, Ashley
