Into the Woods

I’m excited to share the January workshops I’ve planned! Each one is designed to help you reflect, grow, and set the tone for a meaningful 2025. Whether you’re looking to quiet your inner critic, find inspiration, or honor your journey, there’s something here for you. Quieting the Inner Critic | January 14 Learn practical strategies to let go of self-doubt and embrace lasting confidence. Artistic & Inspired in 2025 | January 18 Create your vision for the year ahead with a hands-on vision board workshop that fuels creativity and clarity. With Love, 2024 | January 25 Pause and reflect on everything you’ve lived through this past year with a mindful journaling workshop focused on self-love and self-compassion. 📍 Franklin, TN | Limited spots available Click here for details and tickets: https://lnkd.in/gqePCvVN This is your opportunity to reconnect with yourself and step into 2025 with intention. I’d love to hear from you—let me know if you have any questions or need help deciding which workshop is the best fit for you! #ProfessionalDevelopment #WomenSupportingWomen #JanuaryWorkshops #FranklinTN

The Most Overlooked Skill in Building Building Mutual Respect Let’s talk about boundaries. Not as walls we put up to keep others out, but as lines we draw to protect our time, energy, and emotional well-being. Setting boundaries isn’t easy. It’s uncomfortable, and often comes with feelings of guilt, second guessing, or like we’re disappointing others. But here’s the truth: boundaries are a necessary piece of the foundation in healthy relationships. They allow us to show up as our best selves, without resentment or burnout. One of the most powerful tools I use with my clients when they’re learning to set boundaries is the phrase: 💬 I am willing to... 💬 I am unwilling to... Simple, straightforward, and without apology or rationale. These starters can help one shift from a victim story to one of self-advocacy. Once we define what we’re willing to accept—and what we’re not—we can communicate it with confidence and compassion. If this resonates with you, I’ve shared my recent experience and insights with boundaries on my blog: How to Set and Hold Boundaries (Without Feeling Guilty). It includes a step-by-step framework to identify your boundaries, communicate them effectively, and respond when they’re challenged—while staying rooted in kindness. https://lnkd.in/g3Pn8fRS Here’s a quick preview of the process: 1️⃣ Get clear on your values and priorities. 2️⃣ Anticipate where your boundaries may be challenged and prepare for it. 3️⃣ Practice your response—calmly, kindly, and without apology. 4️⃣ Stand firm while staying open to dialogue. Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out—they’re about building relationships where both sides can thrive. So, here’s my question for you: What’s one boundary you’ve set recently that’s improved your life or relationships? Or, what’s one you’re working on? Let’s start a conversation about making boundaries a source of connection, not conflict.

🎄✨Make December a Month of Self-Care and Connection! This holiday season, I’m hosting three special events designed to help you slow down, nurture your spirit, and celebrate with intention. Whether you're craving creativity, community, or clarity, there's something here just for you: Sugar & Spice: Gingerbread House Lab Dec 12 | 12-2pm Join us for self-care, creativity, and connection as we unwind and create our own gingerbread houses in a warm, welcoming space. Winter Wellness: A Self-Care Social Dec 17 | 2-4:30pm Take a break this holiday season and join us for an afternoon of relaxation, connection, and self-care designed to nurture your mind, body, and spirit. Crafting & Connection: Cookie Dough Jars Dec 19 | 11am-1pm Join us for a fun and relaxing cookie jar-making social, perfect for creating thoughtful last-minute gifts that are as sweet as they are meaningful! 🎁Special Offer: Attend all three events and receive an exclusive self-care gift bundle! 💌RSVP Today: https://lnkd.in/gqePCvVN Spots are limited—secure yours before they fill up!

My First Newsletter is here, and I'm proud to share it with you! My intention is to offer empowering personal insights, practical tips, and stories to inspire self-love, resilience, and growth. I've put it together myself; I'm learning being a small business owner means I wear many hats. My request (you knew that was coming) is to hear what you think. I can't serve you if you don't tell me how. Please share your honest and kind feedback. If you take a moment to complete my survey, it will help me shape the newsletter to best meet your needs. As a thank-you, the first 10 people who complete my survey will receive a complimentary virtual 1-hour private session with me. That's a gift for both of us. I appreciate you. 📝 Survey: https://lnkd.in/gKF_ZqDZ https://lnkd.in/gRyVu9fy

Rewriting Holiday Traditions: A Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Thanksgiving has always been a big deal for many—filled with family, food, and festive traditions. But for me, it’s never been quite like that. For most of my life, I’ve struggled with the pressure to celebrate in a "traditional" way, but over time, I’ve realized that what matters most is creating a holiday that reflects my needs and values. In my latest blog post, I share my journey toward embracing a non-traditional Thanksgiving, letting go of societal expectations, and learning to celebrate on my own terms. If you’ve ever felt the weight of trying to meet others’ expectations during the holidays, or struggled to make peace with family traditions that don’t serve you, this post is for you. I’m challenging myself (and you) to be intentional about how we spend this time of year—whether it’s with loved ones or in much-needed solitude. After all, self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Check out the full post to learn how to experience Thanksgiving on your own terms. https://lnkd.in/g6dTxg29

1 in 4 women suffer from insomnia. I was one of them. Here's how I'm changing that.

Fight the Holiday Hustle:  Check Your Expectations Do you pile more onto your plate each year? Are you trying to create that one perfect holiday, hustling harder each season but finding yourself further away from joy? We’re surrounded by images of what the holidays should look like, and if you’re spending time on social media, you’re getting an extra dose. Over-the-top decor, picture-perfect meals and happy families laughing while opening coordinated presents in matching pajamas. Before realizing it, we feel an immense pressure to create (and share) our perfect holiday moments too. Here’s the first problem: perfect doesn’t exist. And the second: since we’ve set that as our expectation, when we don’t get it, we feel disappointed, inadequate and alone.  3 Exercises to ReCenter Yourself Remember a time of joy. What’s one of your most treasured holiday memories? Think of one where you found yourself laughing or feeling especially connected with those you love. Recall the details of the interactions and intentionally experience those same emotions. What stands out to you? What do you notice about this memory in general? Bonus points: write it all down. Advocate for yourself. Honoring your needs while maintaining healthy boundaries requires honesty and compassion, for you and others. You don’t need to “do it all.” (Are you expecting others to? Give yourself that same care.) Identify something you’d like to say no to, something you will do for yourself, and something you will ask for help with.  Make your to do list and assign it to your bestie. Include everything you’re planning to do, from decorating to cookie-baking. Once it’s complete, call a trusted friend and read the entire list to them as though they are going to complete it. Imagine you are actually assigning it to them. What is their response? Is it reasonable? How do you feel? What would you change? Now make those adjustments for yourself. Ask your friend to support you while you do it, and hold you accountable to your new plan. I’m going to do these too, and I’ll share what I come up with once I do. Remember, the holiday season life is about celebrating what brings you joy, whatever that looks like to you. Let go of the pressure to meet everyone else’s expectations. I’m not looking at your photos and critiquing your decor, and you’re not doing that to mine. Let’s agree to lift ourselves and each other up instead.

Navigating Holiday Stress: Steps for Creating Peace The holiday season is often a time of joy and celebration, but for many, it can also bring about significant stress. The amount of times I hear the phrase “I have to” goes up significantly as soon as Halloween passes. Newsflash: You don’t have to. You are choosing to. I'm sharing practical steps to reduce stress this season and I'll complete the steps as I share them. If you've worked with me before, you know we won't be talking about how to wrap presents with the least amount of wrinkles. We'll go deep. If you're new here, you're in for a treat. First thing is always first: let's build awareness. Step 1: Name your Holiday Stress Triggers Do you have unrealistic expectations? Are you overextending financially? Spending time in difficult or unpleasant family dynamics?  Acknowledge your situation and the accompanying feelings. Naming the experience takes away a lot of its power and helps you regulate your stress response. You might be quite surprised at what you're actually worried about. Take Action: 1. Grab a plain piece of letter paper and pen. Draw a line down the center from top to bottom, creating two columns. 2. At the top of the left column, write the starter phrase I am worried… 3. At the top of the right column, write the starter phrase Because… 4. Now start writing. No one sees this but you. Be completely honest, and don’t stop writing until you don’t notice anything left in your head.  5. Read back over what you wrote. See what’s running around in your mind? Here’s the important part: Say out loud to yourself “Of course I’m stressed. No wonder this time is difficult.” Repeat whenever those thoughts come up. See my completed exercise and learn what’s next on my blog: https://lnkd.in/gxaD-h95

Have you ever heard of forest bathing? I can't get enough of it. I've been taking walks through our woods and find myself completely lost in my surroundings (in a good way). Worry melts away, coherent thoughts disappear and my senses are overwhelmed with the unpredictable beauty of nature. My parasympathetic is kicking in and in return, anxiety is getting kicked out. It's pretty incredible how different I feel after just 15 minutes. Research shows the benefits are significant: https://lnkd.in/eXx_VXc I've been bringing it up a level by "seeing the trees for the forest." Instead of looking for the big picture, I go micro. I look for spiderwebs, fungus, flower buds, acorns, and different colors on the leaves... check out my photos of what I call forest finds. When was the last time you immersed yourself in nature?

Into the Woods is a sanctuary for women located in a serene 7-acre private forest. We offer a safe space to learn, heal and connect in an outdoor setting surrounded by nature. This unique environment ensures a private and immersive experience for all our guests. Come be seen and heard. I'm waiting for you. ~Hilary