About Progress

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! 

Special links: Sourdough Cookbook; Cinnamon foccaccia recipe (can use without sourdough); Undereye patches; Check to see if you won a prize from our Favorite Things Giveaway. 

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Full Show Notes

Transform your space now. Go to Quince 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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In my experience, women often carry the mental and emotional weight at home, which goes unnoticed. This burden leads to feelings of being undervalued, even when performed willingly. Sharing this labor isn't just about dividing tasks evenly, but about mutual recognition and appreciation for every contribution, fostering a genuine sense of partnership within the family.

When I embarked on this journey to balance the labor in our home, it became clear that change must start with me. Through open conversations, I encouraged my family to recognize the invisible labor and prompted them towards owning more responsibilities. This process is gradual, but change arises from understanding our roles, communicating with compassion, and being willing to adapt together.

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


More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off

Leave a rating and review

Check out my ⁠workshops⁠!

Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!

Book Launch Committee

Full Show Notes

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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This episode is a special shortened preview from More Personal, Monica's premium, private, ad-free podcast for the Supporters Club, starting at just $5 a month. Join the HERE TO STAY: 250 SUPPORTERS DRIVE and help ensure About Progress doesn't just make it to its 10 year anniversary this Fall, but make it so it's here to stay. Join the club ⁠HERE⁠.

What if the point of hobbies isn't to be good at them? (A novel idea for us recovering perfectionists, I know . . . )

Ever start a hobby with excitement, only to face the harsh reality that you're not good at it? Welcome to my February Hobby Year update.

This month I dove into sketching wildflowers, and QUICKLY discovered I'm bad at it. Really bad. But here's the twist: I promised to send these amateur drawings to new Supporters as handmade cards. Cue the inner perfectionist panic.

In this episode, I'm sharing what happened when I sat down with my sketch book, why promising these cards to people accidentally turned my hobby into a job, and the permission I had to give myself to be bad at something and share it anyway.

Plus: a ballet class update (spoiler: I haven't been back yet), why February was supposed to be my "easy hobby month" (oops!), and my plans to tackle quilting in March.

If you've ever struggled to make time for hobbies, felt embarrassed about not being instantly good at something, or wondered if it's okay to enjoy imperfect pursuits—this one's for you.
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What if learning how to feel happy starts with letting go of perfectionism? In this conversation, we talk about personal growth and development for moms who are tired of carrying unrealistic expectations. You’ll hear how daily habits, self-compassion, and intentional self care for mothers can lead to real self improvement — without sacrificing your family. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop being a perfectionist and create space for personal development that actually fits your life, this episode will help you simplify and start again.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-simplify-in-motherhood-with-rachel-nielson

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Looking back on 2017, it's hard not to feel nostalgic about the immense growth and learning that happened during About Progress's first full year as a podcast. As I opened up behind the mic, it was a year where I stepped into the world of podcasting more confidently, juggling both personal and professional challenges. From interviewing new voices like Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife to pushing myself in ways I hadn't anticipated, it was a time of intense learning and adaptation.

Fast forward to now, it's wild to think about how the lessons of 2017 have influenced the trajectory of my life and work. It's a reminder that dreams do require work, but they are also what make the journey so deeply fulfilling and worth every moment.

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

Old episodes to support: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/finlayson-fife-perfectionism; https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/selling-out-my-views-on-sponsorship; https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/christopher-clark-creating-a-happy-life-in-spite-of-incurable-disease 

Get your Sticky Habit Rainstorm printable HERE

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


More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off

Leave a rating and review

Check out my ⁠workshops⁠!

Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!

Book Launch Committee

Full Show Notes

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