Hermit Haven

We all have dreams.






Some are big and sparkly. Some are quiet little dreams we’ve barely told anyone about. And some start as nothing more than a tiny thought: Wouldn’t it be cool if…?






But dreaming is only the beginning.






At some point, you have to start showing up for the dream. And then you have to keep showing up.






Not perfectly. Not without getting distracted. Not without changing your plan.






Just consistently enough that one day you look around and realize:






Wait… this thing I dreamed about is actually happening. 🤍






As we sit here recording Episode 99 and getting ready to celebrate 100 episodes of Hermit Haven, we’ve been thinking about how we actually got here.






It wasn’t one giant moment.






It was one conversation. One recording. One episode. One week. Then another.






We built this podcast while raising babies, working, managing families, living through busy seasons, dealing with sick days and technical problems, and figuring things out as we went.






We didn’t wait for life to become perfectly calm.






We kept making room for something that mattered to us.






In this episode, we’re talking about what it really means to pursue a dream and keep showing up for it, even when life gets messy.






In this episode:






Why everyone deserves to have dreams that are their own










The difference between dreaming about something and taking action toward it










What “keep showing up” actually looks like in real life










Why consistency doesn’t mean perfection










Building something while raising kids and living a full life










How to keep going when your original plan changes










Why you don’t need to know exactly how you’ll get there










How your consistent actions shape the person you’re becoming










What to do when you get distracted, discouraged, or off track










Asking yourself what your dream is actually asking from you










The full-circle feeling of being just one episode away from 100








We couldn’t have known when we started Hermit Haven that we’d one day be sitting here recording Episode 99.






We just kept showing up.






And maybe that’s the magic.






You dream about the life you want, you take the next step, you adjust when you need to, and you keep going.






Until one day you look around and realize -






Oh my gosh. We actually did it. ✨






xoxo,






Ashley & Jacqui







Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hermit-haven--6315196/support.

What if you said yes without knowing exactly how it would work out?






It’s so easy to want a guarantee before we begin. We want to know that the job will work out, the idea will succeed, the relationship will last, the dream will happen, or the effort will be worth it.






But we can’t control the outcome.






We can control how we show up, how much effort we put in, what we learn, how we respond when things don’t go according to plan, and whether we’re willing to try again.






And sometimes, even when something doesn’t turn out the way we hoped, we still walk away with something valuable.






An experience.






A lesson.






A new skill.






A new perspective.






A story we’ll probably laugh about later. 😂






In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when we stop requiring a guarantee before we’re willing to say yes.






We’re sharing our own experience with starting Hermit Haven, what we’ve learned from putting ourselves out there without knowing where it would lead, and why course-correcting doesn’t mean you’re failing.






Because you don’t have to know how something will end to know it’s worth experiencing. 🤍






In this episode:






Why we’re sometimes afraid to say yes to new experiences










The fear of failing, wasting time, or making the wrong decision










Saying yes for the experience, not just the outcome










What starting Hermit Haven taught us about taking a chance










The difference between controlling the work and controlling the outcome










What we can learn when something doesn’t work out










Why course-correcting is part of the process










The airplane analogy and why getting slightly off course doesn’t mean you’ve failed










Asking “What if it works?” instead of always asking “What if it doesn’t?”










Thinking about what you might be willing to say yes to








Maybe the goal isn’t to know exactly where every yes will take you.






Maybe sometimes you just have to take the first step and let the experience show you what comes next. ✨






xoxo,






Ashley & Jacqui







Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hermit-haven--6315196/support.

What if we stopped rushing toward the next thing long enough to actually notice the life we're living right now?






It’s so easy to spend our days thinking about what’s coming next. Getting through this week. Getting to the next season. Reaching the next goal. Waiting for things to calm down.






And sometimes we don’t realize how much of our lives we’re experiencing while we’re busy waiting for the next part to begin.






That doesn’t mean we have to love every moment. Some moments are hard, exhausting, messy, boring, or chaotic. We don’t have to romanticize those things or pretend they’re something they’re not.






But maybe there’s something beautiful about being present enough to experience them anyway.






The moments that become meaningful memories aren’t always the big ones. Sometimes they’re the ordinary conversations, the random adventures, the little family traditions, the people who surprised us, or the things we almost said no to.






Sometimes we don’t even realize we’re living a memory until we’re looking back on it.






In this episode, we’re talking about what it means to appreciate the moments we’re given and how being more present can make us more open to the people, experiences, and memories that make our lives meaningful. 🤍






In this episode:






Why we’re so quick to rush toward what’s next










The difference between loving a moment and being present for it










How being present can change the way we see other people










Letting go of first impressions and staying curious about people’s stories










Being more open to new experiences










Collecting memories instead of simply checking boxes










The little moments we don’t realize will become memories










Simple ways to slow down and notice the life happening around us








Maybe every moment doesn’t need to be extraordinary, but rather it just needs to be experienced. ✨ xoxo,






Ashley & Jacqui







Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hermit-haven--6315196/support.

What if magic is a little closer than we think?






Sometimes it’s not a big adventure or a perfectly planned moment. Sometimes it’s the tiny things that make an ordinary day feel a little more special — a favorite outfit, a personalized touch, something colorful, a little reminder on your desk, or simply doing something because it makes you happy.






That’s where whimsy comes in. 🤍






Whimsy is about letting more of your personality into your everyday life. It’s giving yourself permission to make things more fun, more personal, more beautiful, or simply more you.






Maybe you love getting dressed in a way that feels completely like yourself. Maybe you want to put little treasures around your home that make you smile. Maybe you have a silly tradition, a favorite color, a collection, or a tiny ritual that makes an ordinary Tuesday feel a little different.






None of it has to make sense to anyone else.






It just has to make you happy.






In this episode, we’re talking about the little ways we can bring more whimsy into our everyday lives and why those tiny sparks of personality might be some of our favorite forms of modern-day magic. ✨






In this episode:






What whimsy means to us










Finding magic in ordinary moments










Letting your personality show up in your everyday life










Making things more personal just because you can










Dressing in a way that feels completely like you










The little reminders and details that make us smile










Giving yourself permission to be playful and a little unexpected








You don’t need to reinvent your life to make it feel more magical.






Sometimes you just need to add a little more of you. 🤍







Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hermit-haven--6315196/support.

Do you ever see something from your childhood and immediately feel like you’ve been transported back in time? 🥹






A movie you watched a hundred times. A hobby you completely forgot about. The characters you loved, the things you collected, the little pieces of life that somehow still have the power to make you smile.






There are some things we never really outgrow. And honestly, we're kind of here for it. ✨






For this fun episode, we're taking a little trip down memory lane and talking about the things from our childhood that we're bringing along with us into adulthood. Some are hobbies we still love or want to pick back up, and some are simply those nostalgic comforts we reach for when we need to relax, feel cozy, or just need a little extra happiness.






Think Disney. Pokémon. Art. Stickers. Mary-Kate and Ashley movies. And all those wonderfully specific things that can instantly make you say, “Oh my gosh, I forgot how much I loved that.”






Maybe growing up isn't about leaving all of those things behind.






Maybe it's about figuring out which pieces still feel like home and making room for them in the life you're living now. 🤍






So if there's something you loved as a kid that still lights up a tiny little corner of your heart, consider this your sign to bring it back.






Your younger self might have had pretty good taste. ✨






xoxo,






Ashley & Jacqui







Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hermit-haven--6315196/support.

Some seasons are naturally busy. There are birthdays and holidays, school events and family plans, work and errands and all the little things that seem to multiply when life gets full.






But somewhere along the way, busy started feeling like something we were supposed to be proud of.






This episode is a little reminder that a full calendar doesn't automatically mean a full life.






🤍 Busy Isn't a Badge of Honor




We talk about the pressure to say yes, the guilt that can come with saying no, and how easy it is to fill every open space on the calendar simply because we can.






Sometimes we don't realize how busy we've become until we're exhausted and wondering where the season went.






🌸 What Actually Matters?




When everything feels important, it helps to come back to the things we actually want our time to hold.






Maybe that's:








Family dinners










Time with friends










Rest










Prayer










Reading










Exercise










Creative hobbies










Quiet mornings










Time at home








The list will look different for everyone. The important part is knowing what matters to you before your calendar decides for you.






📅 Protect It Before You Schedule It




Instead of filling the calendar and trying to squeeze in the things we care about afterward, what happens when we put those things on the calendar first?






Schedule the dinner.






Schedule the rest.






Schedule the quiet morning.






Schedule the time with the people you love.






Then let everything else fit around it.






🕊️ It's Okay to Say No




Not every invitation needs a yes.






Not every event needs your presence.






Not every opportunity needs your time.






Sometimes saying no means you're choosing to protect the energy you need for the people, moments, and commitments that matter most.






And choosing peace doesn't make you selfish.






☕ Rest Is Part of the Plan




Rest can be easy to push aside when life gets busy, but it shouldn't always be the first thing to disappear.






We talk about creating little pockets of rest, quiet, and slowing down—especially as we head toward the holidays and all the beautiful chaos that comes with them.






Because maybe protecting your peace isn't about having a perfectly calm life.






Maybe it's about leaving enough room to actually enjoy the life you're living. 🤍







Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hermit-haven--6315196/support.

There’s something comforting about a new week. Even when the last one was messy, busy, or didn't go quite how we wanted, there’s always that little feeling of “okay… let's try again.”






In this episode, we're talking about the weekly reset rituals that help us feel a little more prepared for whatever the week decides to throw at us. 😂






A reset doesn't mean fixing your life or suddenly becoming the most organized person on the planet. Sometimes it's just putting the house back together, checking the calendar, clearing out the mental clutter, or giving yourself a quiet moment to figure out what you actually need.






And the best part? Your reset can look completely different from ours.






🏡 Resetting Your Home




Sometimes a calmer week starts with a calmer space.






We chat about the little household things that make us feel more prepared, like:








Tidying up










Laundry










Fresh sheets










Getting the kitchen back in order










Grocery planning










Prepping a few things for the week










Putting things back where they belong








Not a giant deep-cleaning marathon. Just enough to make Monday-you feel like Sunday-you did her a favor. 😂






🧠 Resetting Your Mind




There are also all the things happening inside our heads.






We talk about checking the calendar, getting thoughts out of our brains, planning ahead, and creating a little mental breathing room before the week begins.






Sometimes a reset is less about doing more and more about finally giving yourself a chance to think.






❤️ Resetting Your Heart




This might be our favorite part.






A new week is an opportunity to look back without beating yourself up over everything you didn't accomplish.






Celebrate what went well.






Let go of what didn't.






Give yourself some grace.






Figure out what you need.






You don't have to earn a fresh start.






☕ Our Favorite Little Rituals




And then, of course, we get into the fun stuff—the cozy little rituals that make a reset actually feel enjoyable.






Favorite drinks, candles, playlists, planning, walks, reading, meal prep, family routines, comfort shows while folding laundry... whatever makes you feel like you're gently gathering yourself back together.






Because a weekly reset doesn't have to feel like another chore.






It can be a little ritual that says:






Okay, we're here. Let's take a breath and begin again. ✨






Come hang with us for Episode 93! 🤍







Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hermit-haven--6315196/support.

There are some things you remember from childhood that you couldn't tell someone how much they cost, what year they happened, or even why they were such a big deal.






You just remember them.






Maybe it was a certain meal your family made every year. A place you went together. The way your house smelled on Christmas morning. A Friday night tradition that seemed completely normal at the time but somehow became your thing.






And now we're on the other side of it, getting to create those little moments for our own families. 🥹






In this episode, we're talking about creating traditions that actually matter and how they don't have to be elaborate, expensive, or perfectly planned. Sometimes it's the simplest things—the pumpkin patch every fall, Friday night pizza, decorating the tree together, or a cozy little tradition you made up on a random Tuesday—that become the things everyone looks forward to.






We're also chatting about how traditions change as life changes. Families grow, kids get older, we move, seasons shift, and sometimes traditions have to evolve right along with us. And that's okay. There's something really sweet about making room for new traditions while carrying a few old ones along with you.






Because at the end of the day, a tradition doesn't have to be impressive.






It just has to mean something to the people doing it. 🤍






In this episode, we chat about:






What actually makes something a tradition










Why the simplest traditions can become the most meaningful










Creating traditions without adding more pressure to your life










How traditions change as families grow and life shifts










Making new traditions during new seasons










Why some of the best traditions happen on completely ordinary days








🍂 Hermit Haven Reminder: Don't wait for the perfect holiday, the perfect house, or the perfect Pinterest moment. Pick something small, do it with the people you love, and then do it again next time.






That's how the magic starts. ✨






xoxo,






Ashley & Jacqui







Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hermit-haven--6315196/support.

What if the life you're wishing for is actually the life you once dreamed about?






It's so easy to spend our days looking ahead. Waiting for the next milestone, the next vacation, the next season, or the next version of ourselves. We tell ourselves we'll slow down when life gets less busy, we'll enjoy it more when things settle down, or we'll finally appreciate it once we get "there."






But what if there is already here?






In this episode, we're slowing down to notice the beauty that's been quietly surrounding us all along. From morning coffee and school drop-offs to grocery store runs, bedtime stories, and family dinners, we're talking about the ordinary moments that don't seem like much today—but often become the memories we treasure most.






We'll also chat about how social media can make everyday life feel small, why we're always chasing what's next, and simple ways to romanticize the life you're already living. Because a meaningful life isn't built from a handful of extraordinary moments—it's built from thousands of ordinary ones.






So whether you're folding laundry, driving to work, or taking a quiet walk around the neighborhood, we hope this conversation reminds you to pause, look around, and realize that the little moments might just be the big ones after all.






In this episode, we chat about:






Why we're always looking ahead to the next milestone










The everyday moments that quietly become our favorite memories










How social media can make ordinary life feel like it's not enough










Simple ways to romanticize your daily routines










Finding gratitude and joy in the life you're already living








🤍 Hermit Haven Reminder: A beautiful life isn't something you arrive at one day. It's something you create, one ordinary moment at a time.






xoxo,






Ashley & Jacqui







Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hermit-haven--6315196/support.

Okay, okay... we know it's August. 😂






But have you seen Disney?! The fall decorations are out, the pumpkins are making their grand entrance, and honestly, if Disney says it's time for fall, who are we to argue? 🎃🍂






So we're getting a little ahead of ourselves, but we're officially ready for cozy sweaters, cute spooky things, crisp mornings, candles, and all the little traditions that make this season feel a little extra magical.






In this fun episode of Hermit Haven, we're talking about one of our favorite seasons and all the things that make fall feel a little extra special.






We love the cozy vibes. We love the cute spooky things. We love the crisp mornings, the candles, the sweaters, and all the little traditions that make this time of year feel special. And, yes, we're absolutely the kind of people who could probably keep the spooky decor going all year long. 😂






But one thing we kept coming back to is how quickly these seasons can fly by.






Life gets busy. The calendar fills up. The kids need things. There are errands to run and laundry to fold and approximately 700 snacks to distribute. And suddenly, you're looking up and wondering how an entire season passed without doing any of the fun things you were excited about.






So maybe we have to plan the fun, too.






Maybe we put the pumpkin patch on the calendar. Plan the cozy movie night. Make the apple cider. Go for a drive just to enjoy the changing leaves. Take the family pictures. Wear the silly Halloween pajamas. Do the little things that make us smile.






Because the fun doesn't always happen by accident.






Sometimes we have to make room for it.






And one day, those little moments we're intentional about creating become the memories we wish we could bottle up and keep forever. 🤍






So grab your favorite fall drink, put on your coziest sweater, and come hang out with us as we chat about our Fall Bucket List and all the cozy, spooky, fun things we want to make time for this season.






Here's to pumpkin patches, family traditions, cute spooky things, and remembering that life is allowed to be celebrated, too. 🍁🎃✨






In this episode, we chat about:








Why we both love fall so much










Our favorite cozy and spooky fall vibes










The fun things we want to do this season










Making memories and creating family traditions










Why it's important to plan the fun before life gets too busy










Being intentional about enjoying the season we're in










Making sure the seasons don't pass us by without celebrating them















The Hermit Haven Fall Bucket List:






🍂 Make time for cozy family traditions






🎃 Embrace all the cute spooky things






☕️ Enjoy a favorite fall drink






🍁 Get outside and soak up the changing season






📸 Take pictures and document the little moments






🎬 Plan a cozy movie night






🤎 Make memories with the people we love






✨ Leave a little room for fun and spontaneity, too













xoxo






Ashley & Jacqui







Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hermit-haven--6315196/support.