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Audrey JoAnn | Content and Copy Writer

Compelling Copy for Female Founders

8 Things Getting Me Through The Q

May 7, 2020

As an introverted, Enneagram 6 homebody (who also already worked from home!), I feel like I was oddly prepared for life in quarantine. In fact, I’m actually less alone than before because now John’s here with me all the time. It’s so funny though because we still spend most of our days separate as we work, and even do our own things for breakfast and lunch and then reconvene for dinner as though it’s a normal, non-quarantine day. Even though I like my alone time, it’s been really nice having someone around during the day. And let’s just say I’m unloading the dishwasher way less than I normally do with him being here. DOUBLE PERK.

In Sonoma County, some businesses are slowly being allowed to re-open, but the general public’s stay-home orders were extended indefinitely last weekend. So we might as well keep getting cozy and used to being here (which bodes well for our pup recovering from knee surgery). As completely weird as this whole thing is, I don’t HATE the whole slower pace part of it.

It’s allowed me to plan and work on things I’d put off for a while (like the gorgeous new branding of my website, thanks to my friend behind Ink + Ellie). And I’ve been able to lean into hobbies that a normal pace would keep me from (or more truthfully, that I’d say I didn’t “have time” for). Reading in the middle of the day, gardening, painting, and baking up a storm are on my short list of things I can’t quit right now. So I thought I’d share all the little joys and bursts of brightness that I’m leaning into while we’re under quarantine, in case you need some ideas or are getting tired of the same old things every day.

1. Baking this bread.

I freaking love Half Baked Harvest (her Instagram makes me hangry, in a good way, every day), and while I tried and liked her honey beer bread from her new cookbook, this cheater’s sourdough is even better. And you don’t have to mess with the whole sourdough starter fiasco. (That sounds like a cool project for people with patience, aka not me.)

THIS bread, however, is ready in just a few hours and is SO GOOD. You do need yeast (I know it’s sparse but I was able to get a big 1-pound package on Amazon so we’re stocked up for like… years), and Greek yogurt is what gives it the “sour” flavor. It’s also the first bread I didn’t mess up or turn into a brick, so it has a soft spot in my heart. I’ve made it a few times already and I know you will love it.

2. The most heartwarming home & travel show.

I was randomly scrolling Netflix one day and came across a show called The Most Extraordinary Homes in the World. As an avid HGTV fan and someone who just had to cancel an international trip, it tugged my heartstrings in lots of ways. I popped on the first episode, and we were instantly hooked. This is a big deal because we don’t just *start* new series on a whim over here… John is very much against watching “too many shows at the same time” or binge-watching of any kind. The guy likes to savor his television content, what can I say?

But THIS SHOW. Something about it — probably the quirky pair of Brits who dorkishly and adorably detail the most insane homes all over the world — captivated us. It’s just light and feel-goody and super nerdy in all the right ways. If you need something that is breezy, no-drama (we have enough of that going on in the world), and also astounding to watch, this is it. Especially if you like home and travel content. We’re already done with the series (so much for not-binging) and I’m sad about it. Please watch it so I can vicariously live through you.

3. Fancy mocktails.

K hear me out, I love wine as much as the next person, but mocktails have been keeping me from indulging a little more than I’d like to. (To be fair, the first few weeks of quarantine were VERY indulgent, so I’ve pulled back. Enter: mocktails.) I don’t know, there’s just something more carefree about them. And drinking less alcohol has helped me sleep better. (Side note: has anyone else’s sleep been SO weird during all this? I’ve been having the craziest and most vivid dreams.)

My favorite concoction right now: a lime or peach Waterloo sparkling water over ice with a splash of pure tart cherry juice and fresh squeezed lime. It’s like a cherry limeade but better. And bonus! Tart cherry juice actually helps with sleep! So double-points for sleep benefits with this bev.

4. Painting and gardening.

Why are these two paired together? Because I’m not very good at either, but I love the feeling of doing both. There’s no deeper pride than using your own, homegrown veggies in a meal or ordering a frame for something you created… WITH YOUR HANDS! As a writer who puts together content for other people all day, every day, these little activities have brought me so much joy. And for every painting that’s un-framable or every plant that didn’t get quite enough water, it’s a reminder that not everything we do will be fruitful, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing.

5. Solo walks.

I don’t know if the solo walks are so much a quarantine result as they are a my-dog-is-hurt result, but nonetheless, they’ve been so nice. Dog walks, at least with our dog who likes to stop and sniff every blade of grass and then drag us down the sidewalk, aren’t exactly the peaceful, ~mental health~ kind of walks. So while she’s been taking it easy this past month, I’ve gone out alone for the first time I think ever just to WALK. I go on runs all the time, but walking is so different. I find myself breathing deeply and taking in small beauties in my neighborhood, like a neighbor’s gingko tree or wild poppies on every corner. It’s so nice to just move outside in fresh air, in no hurry and all alone.

6. Simpler workouts.

On the topic of walking more, my workout routine has shifted too. We luckily bought this spin bike at the end of last year and use the Peloton app on the iPad to get super good cardio workouts in. (It’s such a good budget option if you can’t wrap your mind around the full Peloton investment.) But I’m also used to going to the gym multiple days a week and doing intense HIIT and heavy strength workouts. Aside from the bike, we have a couple yoga mats, 15 pound dumbbells, and some bands (which holy cow, I’m so grateful to have now especially). We also haven’t done anything with our third bedroom yet since moving in, so it’s been dubbed the workout/yoga/puzzle studio. It’s multifunctional.

And while I do get some higher intensity workouts in, it’s just not what I’m craving ALL the time. I actually have loved to slow down and do low impact bike classes, yoga, body weight strength workouts, and walks instead of the fast and furious stuff all the time. I think because we’re just doing less in general currently, and there’s a lot of craziness in our world, I don’t want to add extra stress on my body. Slow and steady just feels better for now, you know?

7. Yard clippings.

I got this tip from Young House Love (their podcast and blog are so good for DIY or home design fans and I just love their outlook on everything). They have shared how you can pretty much clip anything from your yard to add freshness to your space. Flowers are good, yes, and our roses bloomed beautifully recently. But you can also just clip a pretty branch and stick it in a vase with some water and call it a day. A few perks: A) i t’ll last longer than flowers and B) it automatically adds that boho, green vibe to a space that just freshens it up. Oh and C) it’s free and you don’t have to go anywhere! So simple, so joyful.

8. Dinner actually at our table.

K don’t judge, but before all this, we’d eat at our table maaaybe 1 to 2 nights a week? Even though we’re around each other more than ever now, we don’t necessarily connect and spend intentional time together all day. So we’ve challenged ourselves to not “just eat on the couch” (our previous nightly mantra, pretty much) and instead, actually sit down at our kitchen table together to eat.

It was for sure easier and more mindless to just chitchat on the couch, or eat our food and turn on some show in the background. But even spending 15 or 20 minutes sitting together eating dinner has been the most grounding, connective experience to end each day. We are praying together more and talking about all kinds of things just because the opportunity is there to face each other and have a conversation about whatever comes to mind.

Full disclosure: I got the idea to do this from my sister, who is staying with my mom and her partner right now. She mentioned something about their conversation at dinner on a random weeknight (I can’t even remember what it was). But I was like, “Wait, do you guys sit down to eat together every night?!” She said, “Yeah! I mean, sometimes we have nothing to talk about and usually mom talks most of the time, but it’s nice to have the opportunity to talk if we want to.” I thought, huh, maybe that’s a healthier way to do dinner than just plopping on to the couch and having to crank our necks if we want to talk, but mostly just turning on the TV because we’re “too tired” to talk.

It has been a highlight to my days right now, even on the nights when I’m tired and it would definitely be easier to do the casual couch dinners. I think we’d just gotten into a habit of it without thinking much of it, but this little bit of purposeful time with each other has been really, really powerful for both of us.

What are you doing to stay sane and grounded these days? I know for me it’s more about the small bites of happy things, and not constantly feeling the need to go and do and excel every day. The slowness has been so good and refreshing in a lot of ways, and I hope you’ve found little things to infuse into your days to make them a little brighter too.

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Welcome! I'm Audrey, and I adore connecting with female founders and telling their stories in a way that matters & lasts for years to come.

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audskelton

The secret to describing your coaching service, pr The secret to describing your coaching service, product, offer, course, etc. online = talking about the amazing end result your thing will provide buyers. That’s it. 

Never ever ever *lead* with:

✖️You get 50 pages of content!
✖️ There’s over 10 hours of video instruction!
✖️ A free workbook comes with!
✖️ You’ll be added to my private FB group!
✖️ 12 modules waiting for you!
✖️ ... or anything regarding the FEATURES of your product/service. 

(And especially don’t list every single feature as the full caption, please for the love of Pete. 🥱) Think of those items as the fine print. Logical buyers maaaay be interested, but most people care way more about what your offer can change or improve for them. What specific result will it give them? What will it make them feel, help them achieve, allow them to excel at??

The logistical details can go at the bottom of your sales page—and honestly, just totally remove them from your social posts and CTAs.

Trust me... *I know how valuable those detail pieces feel and SEEM from your perspective as the creator* because it shows the hard work and effort you put into your offer. But talking about how much content is inside your product doesn’t mean ANYTHING unless people understand what that content can do for them. So always, aaaalways lead with that.

*steps off soapbox* 

Side note, this picture is from forever ago and is making me majorly ready to cut my hair again. 😂 Should I go for the mom chop?! ✂️
The absolute loves of my life. 🤎 Can’t wait t The absolute loves of my life. 🤎 Can’t wait to see what these two peas in a pod get into for years and years to come.
Our little buddy turned 3 months old yesterday and Our little buddy turned 3 months old yesterday and I can hardly believe it. These few months have simultaneously flown by and felt like a year. Wallace has grown so much and even though you always hear parents say stop growing so fast, I feel almost the opposite. I feel such pride with each new roll he develops, the strength his neck is gaining, and his belly that just keeps expanding. Is this weird?! Regardless, it’s been my greatest joy to watch him grow and his personality begin to emerge. The way he smiles and chuckles when we quack or say “WHOA!” The rapid-fire kicks he does when he has room to sprawl out. His love for walks and disdain for car rides. 🥴 It’s all so fun and special and new (for all of us!), and I wouldn’t trade a moment for anything in the world. 🤎
Jesus’s return is the most precious miracle of m Jesus’s return is the most precious miracle of miracles... but the fact that we’re all facing the camera and even (kind of) smiling in this SELF-TIMER pic is a pretty close second. 😆🥲 Happy Easter and sending you so much love and joy! 🤎
Everything is temporary. It’s been my mantra thr Everything is temporary. It’s been my mantra through the hardest and sweetest moments these past few months, and even more so as I ease back into work this week.

It’s all temporary. The good, the bad, the big emotions, the tenderest moments, the hard days, the beautiful days, the teeny socks, the endless emails, the nap strikes, the stacked deadline weeks, the sweet bonding of nursing.

None of it will be around forever, and even though I probably won’t have my schedule figured out for a long, long time, that doesn’t mean these days of just getting by and praying it all works out aren’t important.

They’ll be gritty, cobbled-together, and messy. But they’re mine. I get to craft these days however I want to, with the sweetest babe on my hip and my honey in our back office chasing his own dream, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Vacations hit different with a baby, that is for s Vacations hit different with a baby, that is for sure. 🤪 The days revolve around naps and feedings, and afternoons that we once would have spent taking 4-mile hikes or sitting on a patio at a brewery are now spent reading, playing cards, and listening to Kacey Musgraves and Tom Petty in our Airbnb while Wally snoozes. It’s not worse, but it’s a different pace than I’m used to and that’s okay. In fact, it’s probably more needed than I realize as I wrap up my maternity leave and get back to work in a couple days. Grateful for these slow days and sweet memories with my loves. Now... we just have to make the 4-hour drive home tomorrow with a dog and baby who both hate the car. 🤣 (PS... I’m sharing more thoughts about how I feel heading back to work in this week’s newsletter that goes out Friday—you can sign up to get emails from me with copywriting tips, business anecdotes, and some life updates too in the link in my bio! ☺️) #babysfirstvacation #laketahoe
flannels + chunky sweaters + squishy babies + gorg flannels + chunky sweaters + squishy babies + gorgeous views = my aesthetic forever and ever. 😍
When I was little, I said I wanted 4 kids, just li When I was little, I said I wanted 4 kids, just like my own family. I wanted a girl, boy and girl twins, and a boy. (‘Cause you can totally plan those things. 🥴)

Then, my parents got divorced and in my angsty teenager-ness, I was like, “Nope, nevermind. I’m good with no kids thanks!”

I didn’t want the pressure of raising someone and somehow damaging or disappointing them. And I was skeptical that a couple could stay together and happily raise a family.

When John and I started dating, he was so confident in us and our future. I’d never met a guy who a) pursued me so openly and consistently and b) made me feel valued in every area of my life. Career, relationship, family, health, faith.

When we went on our first camping trip about a year into dating, we were having one of those deep, wine-fueled campfire chats that seem extra important and lovely. I asked him how he knew he first loved me.

He was so good at always complimenting my drive and ambition, or how I looked regardless of whether I was dressed up or grungy after a workout. I figured it would be a combination of those sorts of things, but he surprised me when he said, “Because I know you’ll be a good mom.”

Uhhhh, what? I was like, “... But you know I’m not even sure I want to be a mom. How can you see that?”

He said in the way I so deeply care for others and myself. He had this unwavering belief that we could build a family, and he wanted this girl who spent a lot of years feeling broken to lead it alongside him.

I know this doesn’t sound very “progressive,” but his faith in me being a good mom healed a part of me in so many ways.

I always knew I was driven. I knew I could build a career and life I loved. But I didn’t believe I could build a family that lasted. Or at least, I was scared to think what might happen if I tried.

Wallace is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me. He made me the mom that John believed I could be more than five years ago.

I don’t know if you ever necessarily feel “good” at being a parent, because every day is filled with mistakes & learning curves, but I will say that it’s the most immediately natural I’ve felt in any role I’ve stepped into, ever.
Would it be too much to gallery wall an entire hou Would it be too much to gallery wall an entire house? Asking for a friend.

Newborn family photos by my talented, sweet friend @jilliangoulding. She is too good! 🤍
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