This episode is a “Remember When,” a monthly episode to honor About Progress turning 10 years old. Looking back at 2016, I’m filled with a mix of nostalgia and awe at the start of my journey with About Progress. That year marked the beginning of a new chapter, not just for my blog and podcast, but for my personal growth.

My first foray into blogging, followed by launching the podcast in November, was a leap into the unknown, full of technical challenges and self-doubt, yet it ignited a passion for creating a community based on real, unvarnished stories. Today, as I look back to where it all began, I’m proud of the progress and the supportive community we've built, proving that life truly is about progress, not perfection.

Here to Stay Drive: join the ⁠Supporters Club⁠ to keep About Progress around + participate in a whole month of special prizes. A little from many makes this work sustainable!

Get your Sticky Habit Rainstorm printable HERE 

Complementary past episode to listen to: First episode ever!; First interview ever!

Book Launch Committee: aboutprogress.com/bookcommittee

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

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Navigating the labyrinth of personal finance can often feel overwhelming, especially with societal pressures and the constant barrage of advice from various "experts." I myself have struggled with the anxiety of managing budgets and feeling as though I'm constantly missing the mark. Thankfully, Rebecca Palmer, a seasoned financial advisor, has shared insights that have reframed the way I view money. She highlighted that much of the stress stems not from personal failure, but from the systems that aren't designed to work with our unique lifestyles. In this episode we learn how to shift focus from attempting to perfect rigid systems to creating personalized systems that truly support our financial goals, leading to a more peaceful and grounded financial life.

 Here to Stay Drive: join the Supporters Club to keep About Progress around + participate in a whole month of special prizes. A little from many makes this work sustainable!

1-on-1 COACHING ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW! BOOK A CURIOSITY CALL NOW to be considered for one of my limited spots for 1-on-1 coaching this Winter.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

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Lysha Smith opens up about how perfectionism, grief, and daily stress can coexist with joy, creativity, and growth. This conversation blends personal development with self-compassion and shows how to be happier by finding outlets that restore your energy. A self-help podcast favorite for women learning how to stop being a perfectionist, build healthier daily habits, and explore self care for mothers through real life.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/lysha-smith

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Do Something List has been a game-changer, evolving from my personal challenge into a lifeline for so many women aiming to prioritize personal fulfillment. This year, I’m sharing new insights from our workshop to align with how our lives continue to shift. The simplicity of adding small, meaningful tasks to our lives—like embracing a “me day” or trying something new—enables us to reconnect with who we are. Let's make this year about reclaiming our lives in ways that truly reflect ourselves!

Get the ad-free video version of this workshop + the DSL Guide for free HERE

Podcast Anni: (Still ongoing!) Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won ⁠HERE⁠.

1-on-1 COACHING ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW! BOOK A CURIOSITY CALL NOW to be considered for one of my limited spots for 1-on-1 coaching this Winter.

Past episode to listen to: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/why-joy-isn-t-the-same-as-happiness-and-how-to-reclaim-it-even-during-a-difficult-time-with-tanmeet-sethi

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if joy in marriage isn't about chasing happiness, but embracing courage? Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife's enlightening perspective reshapes our understanding of joy—not as mere happiness but as a deeper, more embodied openness to love and goodness, even amidst life's challenges. This kind of joy is interwoven with eros love—an expansive, soul-reaching connection that pushes us beyond our comfort zones and into a realm of growth and self-discovery.

In my conversation with Dr. Finlayson-Fife, we explored how marriage becomes a fertile ground for joy—not by eliminating our differences but by choosing to love through them. By asking ourselves what we already know we need to do differently, we unlock the potential for profound personal growth and deeper marital intimacy, ultimately steering our relationships toward genuine joy.

Past episode to listen to: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/why-joy-isn-t-the-same-as-happiness-and-how-to-reclaim-it-even-during-a-difficult-time-with-tanmeet-sethi

Podcast Anni: (Still ongoing!) Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won ⁠HERE⁠.

1-on-1 COACHING ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW! BOOK A CURIOSITY CALL NOW to be considered for one of my limited spots for 1-on-1 coaching this Winter.

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if becoming your best self didn’t require perfection? In this personal growth podcast clip, Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife and Carolyn Bever explore how to feel happier and more fulfilled by leaning into the process, not the outcome. Their conversation touches on self-compassion and the kind of personal development that actually lasts. If you’ve been trying to stop being a perfectionist or looking for self-help podcasts that feel uplifting instead of overwhelming, this moment is for you. It’s thoughtful, relatable, and full of practical self-improvement ideas for women.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-strive-for-excellence

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As I sat glued to the couch with my flu-stricken voice, I found myself reflecting on my goals for 2026 with unexpected waves of fear and overwhelm. Goals and I have had a complicated history; they once defined my life, yet I stepped away from them for nearly a decade. However, the Do Something List, born from a need to explore rather than achieve, has become an anchor in my life.

Looking back at 2025, I marvel at how this list has helped me stay grounded through another transformative year. As we approach 2026, I'm filled with hope and anticipation. There's so much ahead—turning 40, the podcast's 10th anniversary, and a book launch, among other things. My focus for the year is to embrace rest and hobbies, ensuring my Do Something List reflects these needs. Join me as we embark on this year of growth and exploration together!

Past episode to listen to: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/why-joy-isn-t-the-same-as-happiness-and-how-to-reclaim-it-even-during-a-difficult-time-with-tanmeet-sethi

Podcast Anni: (Still ongoing!) Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won ⁠HERE⁠.

Join the free ⁠⁠DSL Training for 2026⁠⁠! Join me for 90-minutes on January 16th to learn what a Do Something List is and create your own for 2026

1-on-1 COACHING ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW! BOOK A CURIOSITY CALL NOW to be considered for one of my limited spots for 1-on-1 coaching this Winter.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, I battled with the idea that being ambitious made me appear too eager and self-serving. But I've learned that real ambition should ebb and flow, much like nature itself. It's okay to redefine ambition as a desire for more life, while also allowing ourselves periods of rest and recalibration.

From my discussion with Amina AlTai, it's clear that ambition must be intentional and aligned with our true values. Releasing the need for perfection and instead embracing recovery and personal growth has been transformative. I've seen firsthand that our bodies often signal when our ambitions are misaligned, acting as guides toward a more sustainable path. As we lean into our strengths and gifts, let's transform ambition from a toxic force into a purposeful journey that expands our lives and those around us.

Learn more from Amina and get her book HERE.

Join the free ⁠⁠DSL Training for 2026⁠⁠! Join me for 90-minutes on January 16th to learn what a Do Something List is and create your own for 2026.

Podcast Anni: (Still ongoing!) Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won ⁠HERE⁠.

1-on-1 COACHING ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW! BOOK A CURIOSITY CALL NOW to be considered for one of my limited spots for 1-on-1 coaching this Winter.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s on the other side of fear, food rules, and constant self-criticism? In this personal growth podcast clip, we talk about how self-compassion, nuance, and letting go of perfectionism can create more mental space, deeper connection, and lasting happiness. 

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/the-power-of-eating-without-fear

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey.

Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too! 

Here to Stay Drive: join the ⁠Supporters Club⁠ to keep About Progress around + participate in a whole month of special prizes. A little from many makes this work sustainable!

Podcast Anni: (Still ongoing!) Celebrate 9 years of About Progress by submitting to our annual Favorite Things Giveaway! Simply leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts. Favorite things + details on who won ⁠HERE⁠.

Join the free ⁠⁠DSL Training for 2026⁠⁠! Join me for 90-minutes on January 16th to learn what a Do Something List is and create your own for 2026

1-on-1 COACHING ENROLLMENT OPEN NOW! BOOK A CURIOSITY CALL NOW to be considered for one of my limited spots for 1-on-1 coaching this Winter.

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices