The Feast Life

You can have the most beautifully organized home, the most efficient schedule, and all the best systems in place—but if your mind is in chaos, it will eventually spill into every area of your life. In this episode, we dive into the power of emotions—what they are, how they shape our actions, and why resisting or numbing them only makes things worse.. However you tend to buffer your feelings, you’ll learn how to shift into emotional adulthood—where you can respond rather than react and create a more peaceful, empowered life. Key Takeaways: Emotions Are Energy in Motion: Understanding that emotions are meant to move through us rather than be suppressed or feared. The Creation Cycle: How our thoughts shape our feelings, which then drive our actions and ultimately determine our results. Breaking the Three B’s: The dangers of bottling (suppressing), brooding (overthinking), and buffering (numbing) our emotions—and what to do instead. Emotional Childhood vs. Adulthood: Learning to take responsibility for your emotions rather than blaming circumstances or other people. Practical Steps to Process Emotions: Strategies like identifying feelings, allowing them to move through you, and choosing empowering emotions that align with the life you want to create. Resources Mentioned: Visit www.thefeastlife.me/blog/67 for additional resources and links Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in Subscribe & Review: “ I love Julie and the Feast Life.” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. This helps more people- just like you- find out about the show. CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to leave a five star reviews. Also, please subscribe so you never miss an episode. FOLLOW NOW Connect with Us: Website: A Gentle Feast Instagram: @agentlefeast Prefer video or closed captions? Watch all our episodes on YouTube. http://youtube.com/@TheFeastLife Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com.

In this heartfelt episode, Julie Ross shares how unconditional love can transform your holiday season and relationships. Whether it’s with your children, challenging family members, or even yourself, love is the most powerful gift you can give. Discover simple mindset shifts and practical steps to cultivate peace and joy during the holidays. 5 Key Takeaways: Unconditional Love Starts with Small Moments Your kids, even teens, value simple, intentional time with you—like looking at Christmas lights or sharing a favorite book. Unconditional love means they are loved, even when they’re not at their best. Change Your Thoughts to Transform Relationships When dealing with difficult family members, focus on the “next kindest thought.” Choosing empathy and curiosity can shift your mindset and bring peace to strained relationships. Extend Love to Yourself Show yourself the same compassion you give your children. Treat your heart gently, speak kindly to yourself, and allow space for rest and grace when things feel overwhelming. Protect Your Energy and Joy Don’t let others determine your mood or the tone of your holidays. Focus on what you can control—your mindset, attitude, and actions. Pause and Reflect Take time for a quick reset. Whether it’s five quiet minutes or journaling a gratitude list, reflection helps you focus on what truly matters during the season. Resources Mentioned: Visit www.thefeastlife.me/blog/58 for additional resources and links Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in Subscribe & Review: “ I love Julie and the Feast Life.” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. This helps more people- just like you- find out about the show. CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to leave a five star reviews. Also, please subscribe so you never miss an episode. FOLLOW NOW Connect with Us: Website: A Gentle Feast Facebook: Instagram: @agentlefeast Prefer video or closed captions? Watch all our episodes on YouTube. http://youtube.com/@TheFeastLife Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com. Sign up for our “Peaceful and Joyful Holidays” course http://www.thefeastlife.me/holidays

In this heartwarming episode of The Feast Life, Julie Ross explores the transformative power of learning to receive during the holidays. For many, the season can bring pressure to give endlessly, especially for homeschooling moms. Julie shares her personal journey of shifting from “doing it all” to graciously accepting help and blessings, leading to deeper joy and connection. Key Takeaways Keep It Simple and Savor the Little ThingsOvercomplicating the holidays can lead to burnout and frustration. Julie encourages us to “Keep it Simple, Silly” by focusing on meaningful, manageable traditions. Instead of trying to do everything, choose a few traditions that you and your family cherish and can sustain with joy. Embrace a Mindset of ReceivingHomeschool moms are often so focused on giving that they forget how to receive. Julie highlights the importance of letting others help and shower us with blessings. Learning to accept support—whether in the form of a meal, help with holiday preparations, or even a compliment—can foster deeper connections and reduce stress. Cultivate Gratitude and AweReclaim the holiday magic by nurturing gratitude and wonder. Julie reminds us to look for small daily blessings, from a child finishing a math problem to shared moments of laughter. Embracing awe for the season’s blessings opens our hearts to unexpected joys and new possibilities. Practice Working from Rest, Not StressApproach the holiday season from a place of rest rather than stress. Allow flexibility in your schedule to welcome spontaneous joy and memorable moments. By releasing the need to control every detail, you create space for meaningful experiences and deeper family connections. Resources Mentioned: Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/56 for additional resources and links Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in Subscribe & Review: “ I love Julie and the Feast Life.” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. This helps more people- just like you- find out about the show. CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to leave a five star reviews. Also, please subscribe so you never miss an episode. FOLLOW NOW Connect with Us: Website: A Gentle Feast Facebook: A Gentle Feast Community Instagram: @agentlefeast Prefer video or closed captions? Watch all our episodes on YouTube. http://youtube.com/@TheFeastLife Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com. Sign up for our “Peaceful and Joyful Holidays” course http://www.thefeastlife.me/holidays

In this episode, Julie Ross, founder of A Gentle Feast, shares four essential tips to help homeschooling moms navigate the holiday season with grace, joy, and sanity. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by holiday expectations, this episode will guide you to a more peaceful and memorable Christmas season. Key Takeaways: 1. Maintain Some Routine: Children thrive on routine, and completely abandoning it during the holidays can lead to stress and disruption. Instead, keep some parts of your day consistent, like morning time or read-alouds, to create a sense of security for your kids—even if you’re traveling or busy. 2. Set Realistic Expectations: Avoid setting the bar too high. Unrealistic holiday expectations often lead to disappointment. Rather than trying to create a picture-perfect holiday, embrace the reality of your family’s needs and simplify traditions to make them manageable and meaningful. 3. Focus on Love: Amidst the busyness, remember that what matters most is the love and warmth your family feels. Create a loving atmosphere by being present, patient, and compassionate—both with your kids and with extended family members, showing them the true spirit of the season. 4. Prioritize Self-Care: Julie’s bonus tip is vital: schedule time to care for yourself. Whether it’s reading, listening to music, or just sitting quietly with a cup of tea, make this a non-negotiable part of each day to recharge and show up as your best self for your family. Resources Mentioned: Visit www.thefeastlife.me/blog/54 for additional resources and links Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in Subscribe & Review: “ I love Julie and the Feast Life.” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. This helps more people- just like you- find out about the show. CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to leave a five star reviews. Also, please subscribe so you never miss an episode. FOLLOW NOW Connect with Us: Website: A Gentle Feast Facebook: A Gentle Feast Community Instagram: @agentlefeast Prefer video or closed captions? Watch all our episodes on YouTube. http://youtube.com/@TheFeastLife Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com. Sign up for our “Peaceful and Joyful Holidays” course http://www.thefeastlife.me/holidays

In Episode 51 of The Feast Life, host Julie Ross chats with Jenifer Breaux, owner of JB Travel Pros, about traveling with neurodivergent children. Jenifer shares her personal journey as a mom of two children with special needs and how she learned to make travel a possibility and even a joy for her family. With her expertise as a travel agent and author, she offers practical advice on planning trips, accommodating sensory needs, and creating stress-free routines for your next family vacation. If the idea of traveling with neurodivergent children feels overwhelming, this episode is full of tips and encouragement to help you feel empowered and ready for adventure. Key Takeaways: Start Small: Ease into traveling by beginning with short, local trips and single-night stays. This helps both you and your children get comfortable with the travel experience before tackling larger trips. Prepare with Social Stories: Create a social story for your child, showing pictures of the trip destination, transportation, and activities to reduce anxiety and provide a sense of familiarity. Routine is Key: Establish a vacation routine similar to what your children are used to at home. Balance high-energy activities with downtime to avoid sensory overload. Special Accommodations: Many resorts and travel services, like Royal Caribbean cruises and Beaches resorts, offer special accommodations for families with neurodivergent children. Take advantage of these options to make your trip more manageable. Empower Yourself as a Parent: You are already an advocate for your child in everyday life—extend that advocacy to travel by starting small and celebrating each victory along the way. Just get started, and you'll find travel becomes easier with experience. Connect with Jenifer Breaux: Instagram: @iamjeniferbreaux Website: https://www.iamjeniferbreaux.com/ Resources Mentioned: Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/51 for additional resources and links Just Getting Started? Get our FREE Charlotte Mason and You Workshop to see if this powerful approach can transform your homeschool. https://www.thefeastlife.me/opt-in Subscribe & Review: “ I love Julie and the Feast Life.” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing the show on Apple Podcasts. This helps more people- just like you- find out about the show. CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM to leave a five star reviews. Also, please subscribe so you never miss an episode. FOLLOW NOW Connect with Us: Website: A Gentle Feast Facebook: A Gentle Feast Community Instagram: @agentlefeast Prefer video or closed captions? Watch all our episodes on YouTube. http://youtube.com/@TheFeastLife Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com.