I was recently talking to my health/life coach Melissa (If you need your life to turn around or some help in any situation, trust me, she’s the one who can make it happen). I’ve been working with her for over 5 years now and whenever I get in a pickle, she works me through it, one step at a time.

Last week, I went to her with the “problem” that I am literally always working or on the go Monday-Sunday from when I wake up until I go to sleep. I feel like I have very little me-time and I want more of it. The caveat? I don’t want to cut back on work, blogging, or my consulting practice. So how is that possible?

She shut me up and said, “Julia! What if you don’t need 2 day of pampering each week, what if you just take mini-breaks throughout the day where you unplug and do a few yoga poses. You’re in a season of ‘Killing it’ and you should own that!”. She had a point. . .

For the first time in my life ever I feel happy in every area of my life. I’m prone to high anxiety and drama but right now, I feel very little of it. I love my job, my marriage is in an amazing place, living in the suburbs makes me incredibly happy, and so many Lemon Stripes opportunities pop up every day. I know that sounds so braggy but I’ve literally never in my life felt so fulfilled and I’m proud to share that!

Nourish Snacks is taking off like crazy and it’s been so incredible to see the growth since we launched in May. Not only am I learning so much about marketing for a start-up but I’ve made some incredible friends and had such a blast along the way. For the frist time ever ever ever, I’m in a place where I get excited to go to work on Monday mornings. I didn’t even know that was possible. PSA: You guys, if you haven’t tried the snacks yet, you MUST!

Moving to the suburbs was such a good decision for my marriage. Anel and I are both way less anxious and now that we have more space to live in (hellloooo separate bathrooms!), we aren’t constantly in the same room driving each other insane. I tell everyone that if you can survive a one-bedroom Manhattan-sized apartment, your marriage can survive anything!

Note: The photo above is an image of our Christmas card this year. So cute right? We got them on Minted.

Since moving to the ‘burbs, I’ve obviously been cooking much more but I found I was gaining lbs like a champ because I no longer walk everywhere or have to endure a 5th floor walk-up. In the last two weeks, I’ve been getting back on track with the help of my friend and virtual personal trainer, Alex.

You guys should check her out. I get an email every day with my workout for that day and the day after. I told her that I’m crazy busy so my weekday workouts are never longer than 30 minutes. That being said, I’ve already seen a difference in my body. Her site only shows running plans but she can do regular work out plans too. I highly recommend!

On the blog front, so many opportunities from some of my favorite brands keep popping up and I feel like all I do is do photo shoots and create content for this darn blog and my Instagram. It is what I love doing and I cannot tell you how blessed I feel.

I don’t have kids yet and as you can see, everything seems to be going so well. So why cut back? I think I feel like I should want to want a break but I don’t. Does that make sense?

‘Tis the season for killin’ it, y’all!

Don’t forget, all of my holiday gift guide picks (plus more!) can be found on this Pinterest board. Keep an eye on it because I add new pieces every day.