From Overwhelmed to Overambitious: Finding Balance in Work, Life, and the Garden

Life has been nothing short of a rollercoaster lately. This month marks one year since I moved back to Maine, and honestly, it’s been an adjustment all over again. Some changes caught me off guard—like the constant rotation of employment. I went from working over 40 hours a week to just 25, now splitting my time between social media management and dog walking.

Recently, I landed two amazing clients based out of Southern Florida, and so far, it’s been a dream. I’ll admit, I was worried AI might completely take over the marketing space before I even had a chance to build my footing and launch my own business. But here I am—still

creating, still growing, and still carving out my space in the industry.

I’ve also made the conscious decision to slow down my “out on the town” nights. As much as I love a good time, hangovers are expensive—both in money and energy. Instead, I’m redirecting that energy into staying grounded, working on myself, and chasing the goals I actually want to hit. The summer might be winding down, but for me? I’m just getting started.

And speaking of grounding myself, my garden is officially in full bloom. My flowers are attracting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and all sorts of wildlife. The DIY pond has become a watering hole for the chipmunks, and my vegetable harvest is practically overflowing my fridge. Seeing the transformation from last fall’s overgrown, bramble-filled patch to a quaint sanctuary feels like its own personal victory.

It all stemmed from one essential goal—create a space away from the house that still feels like home, a place that instantly shifts my headspace into something calmer, lighter, and more creative. That, and… I needed a designated spot to smoke without it seeping into the house. Now, it’s so much more than that—it’s a personal retreat, a daily reminder of what can grow when you put in the work.