On finding your why
Have you ever sat down and really understood your why?
COOKING Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs
WATCHING Love is Blind UK
CRAFTING Free the animals game for the kids
SHARING Douro Valley recommendations
Currently
We kicked off our second cohort of our living abroad program last week with a roundtable of introductions. The question to guide our conversation was simple: “Why are you here?”
As we went around the table, I noticed that everyone’s reasons were broadly similar to ours. A desire for adventure, a need for change, a craving for something different than the usual routine. But then one couple’s response really made me pause and think. They said they were here to find their greater why. They knew what they didn’t want out of life, but they hadn’t yet figured out what they did want.
Have you ever sat down and really understood your why?
My journey to find my why began two years ago, almost exactly to the day. My husband and I had one of those life-changing conversations during a three-week trip to Italy. We were there with both kids, and Willow was just two months old.
Italy was beautiful, yes, but the trip itself was transformative in a way we hadn’t anticipated. Somewhere between the chaos of traveling with a toddler and a newborn, and the awe of exploring a country rich with history and culture, we had a revelation. We realized we’d been living our lives according to a script written by someone else—a script that said we should do things a certain way because that’s how they’ve always been done. We were following the path that had been paved for us, not the one we wanted to carve out for ourselves.
That realization set us on a different path entirely (hello quitting my tech marketing career, buying a local business and spending 2 months in Portugal). Our decision-making is now made with clear intention.
So, what’s my why? My why is to build a life that feels deeply fulfilling. A life where balance isn’t just a buzzword but a lived reality. A life where I’m fully present in the moments that matter, and where beauty—both in the everyday and the extraordinary—is a guiding principle.
It’s a process, we aren’t there quite yet (and maybe we never will be).
As summer wraps up and we head into the latter half of the year, I encourage you to think about what you’ve learned about yourself so far this year. Whether you found out you’re pregnant, just had a baby, or are in the thick of it with multiple toddlers, life constantly teaches us something about ourselves.
Take a moment to ask yourself, what’s your why? And know that you may not know the answer. And that’s okay. It’s a question that can guide you, challenge you, and ultimately lead you to a life that feels not just lived, but truly loved.
All The Things
I placed my first Amazon order in 6 weeks 🤯 it’s back to school season!
School photo sign a must-have, you won't regret it! And perfect to share between kids
save preschool backpack (comes in tons of colors)
splurge preschool backpack (comes in tons of colors)
don't forget to label everything! DIY labels or personalized labels
my favorite lunch box, and for kids 2 and under I love the mini version
my favorite kids water bottle
A quick outfit spotlight
Okay, you guys LOVED the outfit at the top of this newsletter when I posted it originally on Instagram, so I’m sharing all the links in case you still want to shop. These pants are everything you want in a late summer and transitional fall pant. Buying in more colors when I get home.
PSA: Get tons of free newborn and postpartum products!
If you’re starting to think about your registry, get this incredible free welcome kit from Babylist filled with pacifiers, diaper and wipe trials, baby bottles, skincare and bath samples, baby clothing, postpartum care and more.
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Until next time,
Barbara