Hermit Haven

Have you ever looked around one day and realized life doesn't feel quite the same anymore?






Maybe the mornings are a little quieter now. Or maybe they're louder than they've ever been. The routines that used to fit don't quite work anymore, and the version of you that stepped into this season isn't the same one who's standing here today.






Change has a funny way of sneaking up on us.






One day you're packing swimsuits and chasing fireflies, and before you know it, you're pulling out cozy sweaters, filling the calendar with new routines, and wondering where the time went.






Maybe life works a little like that too.






In this week's episode of Hermit Haven, we're talking about one of our favorite reminders:






It's just a season.






Not because we want to rush through the season we're in, but because we've learned that every season has something to teach us. The busy ones. The beautiful ones. The messy ones. Even the ones we'd never choose for ourselves.






Maybe this season is inviting you to slow down.






Maybe it's asking you to let go of something you've been carrying.






Maybe it's preparing you for a chapter you can't quite see yet.






Whatever this season looks like for you, we hope this conversation reminds you that you don't have to fear what's next. Every season is quietly shaping you, stretching you, and preparing your heart for the one that's coming.






Because growth isn't about becoming someone new.






It's about paying attention to the person you're becoming.






✨ In this episode, we chat about:








Why every season of life has a purpose










Learning to adapt instead of resisting change










Reflecting on what this season has taught you










Letting go of what no longer fits your life










Building routines that support the season you're in










Entering your next chapter with intention instead of pressure










Asking yourself better questions as life changes








Before you head into your next season, we want to leave you with four questions we're asking ourselves, too:






🍂 What is this season teaching me?






🍂 What am I grateful for?






🍂 What am I leaving behind?






🍂 What am I making room for?






If this episode encouraged you, we'd love for you to share it with someone who's stepping into a new season of life. And as always, thank you for letting us be a small part of your journey.






Remember, every season has a purpose... even the one you're in right now. 🤍






xoxo,






Ashley & Jacqui







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

Some days have a way of pulling your attention toward everything that's going wrong.






The coffee spills before you've had a sip. The to-do list somehow gets longer instead of shorter. Plans change. Someone says something that sticks with you all day. Before you know it, one frustrating moment has quietly convinced you that the whole day is ruined.






We've both been there.






In this week's episode, we're talking about the quiet power of gratitude—not because it makes life perfect, but because it helps you find your footing again.






The hard moments still happen. The disappointment is still real. But when gratitude becomes a way of seeing the world, it has a beautiful way of helping you bounce back a little faster. Instead of getting stuck in frustration, you begin to notice what's still beautiful, what's still good, and what's still worth holding onto.






We're sharing the ways gratitude has changed how we navigate difficult seasons, why looking for the silver lining isn't about pretending everything is okay, and how one small shift in perspective can bring more peace, resilience, and joy into everyday life.






If you've been carrying a little more than usual or feeling weighed down by life's challenges, we hope this conversation reminds you that one hard moment doesn't have to become a hard day—and one hard day doesn't have to become a hard season.






The silver lining isn't always obvious.






Sometimes, it's something we choose to look for.






✨ In this episode, we chat about:








Why gratitude is so much more than saying "thank you"










How gratitude helps you move through hard moments instead of staying stuck in them










Finding the silver lining without ignoring reality










The connection between gratitude, resilience, and emotional well-being










Simple ways to practice gratitude in everyday life










Choosing a perspective that brings more peace and joy








If this episode encouraged you, we'd love for you to leave a review, share it with a friend, or tag us on social media. Knowing these conversations are reaching women who need them means the world to us.






Remember, you're doing better than you think. 🤍






xoxo,






Ashley & Jacqui







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

When was the last time you felt like you were fully in your day instead of just trying to get through it?






Lately, we've both been craving a slower pace. Not because we want to do less or dream smaller, but because we realized we were spending so much time rushing through life that we weren't fully experiencing it.






In this week's episode, we're talking about what slower living has been teaching us. We chat about the pressure to always be busy, why rest can feel strangely uncomfortable, and how we've started making small changes that have brought so much more peace into our days.






From slow mornings and reading instead of scrolling to leaving a little more white space in our schedules, we're sharing the little things that have helped us feel more present, more creative, and more connected to the people we love.






We've also been realizing something we didn't expect...






The more we slow down, the more clearly we can hear ourselves.






We make decisions from peace instead of panic. We notice the little moments we used to rush past. We stop reacting to life and start choosing how we want to live it.






Because maybe slowing down isn't taking you further away from the life you want.






Maybe it's helping you become more present for it.






🤍 In this episode, we chat about:








Why being busy isn't always the same as living intentionally.










The quiet pressure to always be doing more.










How slowing down has changed the way we experience motherhood, work, and everyday life.










The unexpected gifts we've found in creating more space.










Small, simple ways we're choosing a slower pace without putting our dreams on hold.










Why rest, presence, and peace might be exactly what helps you move forward.








This week's gentle reminder:






You don't have to earn a slower day.






You don't have to fill every empty moment.






And you don't have to rush through the life you've been working so hard to build.






Maybe the life you're hoping for isn't waiting on the other side of doing more.






Maybe it's waiting in the moments you've been too busy to notice. 🤍













xoxo,






Ashley and Jacqui







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

Have you ever caught yourself thinking...






"I'll do it when I feel more confident."






"I'll start when I'm more organized."






"I'll post it when it's better."






We've both been there more times than we can count.






This week's conversation is about something we've been learning lately: perfection has a funny way of convincing us we're being responsible, when really it's just keeping us stuck.






We talk about the dreams we've delayed, the fear of being judged, and why so many of us wait until we feel "ready" before we let ourselves be seen. The truth is, growth rarely happens before we begin. It happens because we begin.






Some of the people we've connected with most in life weren't the ones who had it all together—they were the ones who were willing to show up, learn as they went, and let others see the beautifully imperfect middle.






We're also sharing what this has looked like in our own lives, from motherhood to building Hermit Haven, and why we're learning that confidence doesn't usually show up before the first step... it grows every time we choose courage over perfection.






If you've been waiting for the perfect time, the perfect version of yourself, or the perfect plan before you begin, we hope this conversation reminds you that growth isn't something you earn before you start.






Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is take one imperfect step forward and trust that you'll become who you're meant to be along the way.






You already belong exactly where you are. 🤍







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

Some of our favorite moments lately have been the ones that probably don't look all that exciting from the outside. Slow summer mornings.






Packing snacks before heading out the door. Trying to answer emails while someone needs a hug. Getting out of the house with a toddler. Watching our boys play. Folding laundry while dreaming about what's next. Finding little pockets of time to work on the podcast we love.






Life has looked a little different for both of us lately, so we thought it would be fun to bring you along for a glimpse of what our days actually look like.






In this episode, we're sharing what a typical day looks like as two moms in different seasons of motherhood. Ashley is navigating life with a one-year-old, while Jacqui is soaking up summer with her five and ten-year-old boys.






We talk about the routines we've found ourselves loving, the challenges we're still figuring out, and the little things that help us create lives that feel meaningful.






Somewhere between motherhood, marriage, podcasting, endless to-do lists, and trying to remember to take care of ourselves too, we've both realized that fulfillment isn't found in having everything perfectly balanced.






It's built in the ordinary moments. The slow mornings. The walks. The conversations. The tiny moments that remind us we're building a life we genuinely love.






In this episode, we talk about: • A realistic day in the life of two moms in different seasons • Raising little boys while building a podcast • Slow summer mornings and creating simple family memories • Getting out of the house with a toddler • Balancing motherhood, work, home, and everything in between • Making space for hobbies, creativity, and self-care • Building a life that feels fulfilling instead of just busy






Whether you're folding laundry, driving to work, going for a walk, or hiding in your pantry for five quiet minutes (we've all been there 🤍), we hope this conversation reminds you that there is beauty in the life you're building, even on the ordinary days.






xoxo, Jacqui & Ashley







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

What does it actually look like to show up for yourself? Not in a perfect way. Not in a "completely transform your life overnight" way. Just in the real-life, everyday moments that slowly shape who you're becoming. In this week's episode, we're sharing some of the things we're currently working on in ourselves—from mindset shifts and emotional growth to habits, hobbies, routines, and the small choices that are helping us feel more grounded, intentional, and connected to ourselves. We're talking about learning to trust ourselves more, letting go of perfectionism, protecting our energy, spending less time on our phones, creating healthier routines, and finding joy in things that have nothing to do with productivity. Because the truth is, personal growth isn't just about becoming better. It's also about becoming more yourself.
In this episode, we talk about:
• The mindset shifts we're actively working through
• Letting go of perfectionism and negative self-talk
• Learning to trust ourselves more • Being less reactive and more emotionally grounded
• Journaling, reading, walking, and other habits helping our mental health
• Spending less time on our phones and being more intentional with our attention
• Finding hobbies and interests outside of motherhood and productivity
• Why confidence comes from keeping promises to yourself
• The power of small habits and tiny changes
• Growing without putting pressure on yourself to be perfect We also share some of the things we're still working on because, just like you, we don't have it all figured out. This isn't a conversation about fixing yourself. It's a conversation about supporting yourself. One small choice, one habit, one mindset shift at a time. Because the little ways you care for yourself today slowly become the person you're becoming tomorrow
🤍 xoxo, Jacqui & Ashley

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

Have you ever gone through a season of life and looked around thinking, "I don't even know who I am anymore?"






Whether it's motherhood, burnout, grief, anxiety, a major life transition, or simply a season that stretched you in ways you never expected, sometimes life changes us so deeply that we feel disconnected from the person we used to be.






In this week's episode, we're having an honest conversation about what it looks like to let go of old versions of yourself and find your way forward again.






Because if we're being honest, there can be a lot of grief in realizing that you aren't the same person you once were. We miss old versions of ourselves. We compare ourselves to who we used to be. We wonder why things that once felt easy now feel hard.






But what if the goal isn't going back? What if the goal is getting to know the version of yourself that this season is creating?






In this episode, we talk about: • The identity shifts women experience through motherhood, burnout, grief, and life transitions • Missing old versions of yourself and learning to let them go • The guilt and shame that can come with slowing down or struggling • Why we put pressure on ourselves to "bounce back" • Feeling disconnected from who you are • Small ways to reconnect with yourself again • The role of rest, creativity, boundaries, friendships, and joy in healing • Why rebuilding yourself doesn't have to happen overnight • Learning to meet yourself where you are instead of where you think you should be






We also share some of our own experiences navigating seasons where we didn't feel like ourselves and what helped us slowly find our footing again.






If you've been feeling lost, stuck, overwhelmed, or like you're still trying to find yourself after a hard season, we hope this episode feels like sitting down with friends who understand.






One thing we hope you take away from this conversation is this: You are allowed to outgrow old versions of yourself. You are allowed to change. And you are allowed to become someone new without feeling guilty for it. 🤍






Because maybe the goal isn't becoming who you used to be. Maybe it's meeting the version of yourself this season is creating.






xoxo, Jacqui & Ashley







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

Have you ever felt like there's more you want for your life, but something keeps holding you back?






In this week's episode, we're talking about the comfort trap and how staying in what's familiar can sometimes keep us from growing into the person we're meant to become.






Because if we're being honest, comfort feels safe. It feels predictable. It feels easier than taking a risk, trying something new, or stepping into the unknown.






But what if the very thing you're craving is waiting on the other side of a little discomfort?






This conversation was such a good reminder for us that growth doesn't always feel exciting in the moment.






Sometimes it feels uncertain. Sometimes it feels slow. Sometimes it feels like questioning the version of life you've gotten comfortable with and asking yourself if it's actually what you want.






In this episode, we talk about:






• Why we naturally choose comfort and familiarity • How we unknowingly limit ourselves through fear and self-doubt • The stories we tell ourselves about what's possible • Why wanting more doesn't make you ungrateful • Letting go of timelines and trusting the process • The difference between what's comfortable and what's aligned • Small ways to step outside your comfort zone • How growth often starts with one uncomfortable decision One thing we kept coming back to throughout this conversation is that you're not meant to stay the same forever.






You're allowed to evolve. You're allowed to want more. And you're allowed to become someone you've never been before.






If you've been feeling stuck, playing small, or waiting for the "perfect" time to make a change, we hope this episode encourages you to take one small step toward the life you're dreaming about.






Because sometimes the biggest transformations begin with the smallest acts of courage 🤍






xoxo, Jacqui & Ashley







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

Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling a little off, but you couldn't quite figure out why?






In this week's episode, we're talking about gossip, friendships, and the kind of conversations we want to create more of in our lives.






This is one of those topics that can feel uncomfortable because if we're being honest, we've all participated in gossip at some point. It's easy to fall into, especially when it's become such a normal part of everyday conversations, social media, and even friendship dynamics.






But this conversation isn't about judgment. It's about awareness.






We're talking about the difference between venting and gossip, why gossip can feel like connection in the moment, and how it can quietly impact trust, relationships, and the way we show up in our friendships. We also share ways we're personally working on being more intentional with our words, redirecting conversations that don't feel aligned, and creating deeper friendships built on trust, encouragement, and genuine connection.






In this episode, we talk about:
• The difference between venting and gossip
• Why gossip feels so tempting and normalized
• How gossip can quietly affect trust in friendships
• The connection between insecurity, comparison, and judgment
• What healthy, life-giving conversations look like 
• How to redirect conversations without creating conflict • Protecting your peace and being intentional about what you engage in
• Choosing friendships rooted in trust, kindness, and depth






At the end of the day, we're not striving for perfect friendships. We're simply trying to create relationships that feel safe, supportive, and aligned with the kind of women we're becoming.






If you've been craving deeper conversations and more meaningful friendships, we think this episode will really resonate with you 🤍






xoxo, Jacqui & Ashley







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

This week’s episode is basically a big summer catch-up with your internet besties ☀️🤍

 We’re talking all about the vibes we’re bringing into this season of motherhood, the little things making life feel good lately, and what summer is realistically looking like for us right now as busy moms.

From slower mornings and pool days to family routines, summer plans, trying to romanticize everyday life a little more, and finding joy in the small moments, this episode felt like such a fun and cozy conversation. 
We also talk about:

• what we want this summer to feel like
• balancing motherhood while still enjoying the season ourselves
• realistic summer routines Jacqui & Ashley
• making memories without pressuring ourselves to do “the most”
• embracing slower, simpler moments
• the little things currently bringing us joy ☀️

This episode is definitely more lighthearted and chatty, but honestly it also became such a sweet reminder that life doesn’t have to be perfect to feel really good.
If you’re in your “trying to enjoy the season I’m in” era, come hang out with us 🤍
We’re so happy you’re here.
xoxo 

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