Blog

Finding Time For What Matters Most

Feb 06, 2024 Julie Barlow

If you don't stop to take stock of what you are doing in your life from time to time, life can begin to run you, instead of you running your life in a way that works well for you. I made quite a few changes to how I operate in the last year, finding more time for what matters most in my life. Here are the top ten things I began doing differently that made the most impact. 

Ending the Year with Reflection

Dec 19, 2023 Julie Barlow

I was flipping back through some old journals and was surprised to find how many years I had been working on the same goals–not so much work goals, but what I wanted out of life goals–relationships, fitness, etc.  What was missing, was time spent on self reflection. It is only from a realistic assessment of what's working and what's not that you can begin to make adjustments to what you are doing and how you are doing it. Only then can you effectively plan for change and forward progression. 

Evaluating Relationships: Are the People In Your Life Helping You Be Your Best Self?

Aug 27, 2023 Julie Barlow

Consider the following elements of self-awareness, your relationships, your goals and your boundaries to find out if you are creating and accepting the love you deserve, or if you've got some work to do. 

Finding the Right Wellness Journal for Your Goals

Jul 23, 2023 Julie Barlow

If you want to grow, have a deeper connection with yourself, be able to decompress from the rest of your life or achieve goals that you set for yourself, journaling is a great place to start. But, it can be hard to know how to get started, which journaling approach is right for you, and even which journal to start with!

How To Use Self-Reflection To Meet the New You

Jun 25, 2023 Julie Barlow

The last three years have been a whirlwind of social, economic, environmental and political change. When the world as we know it gets disrupted while environmental disasters impact lives on a large-scale and political tensions and conflicts are ongoing, it impacts your lifestyle, the way you view the world and you as a person.

The Ultimate Tool for More Happiness and Ease

May 14, 2023 Julie Barlow

Are you aware of the aspects of your life that keep you from being happy on a daily basis? At the end of a day, do you feel satisfied and content, or worn down and empty? “What does self-love have to do with general unhappiness when it’s an internal issue?” Well, kind of everything. How can you expect to like your life if you don’t even like yourself?

The Ultimate Guide to Cultivating Self-Love That Changes Your Life

Apr 16, 2023 Julie Barlow

How To Heal and Transform With Self-Love—Self-love (or a lack thereof) is actually at the root of so many wounds we have when it comes to our thoughts and how we navigate and interact with the world. When you approach self-love at the root, you are healing your inner child, moving differently with confidence...

20 Acts of Self-Love You Haven't Tried Yet

Mar 26, 2023 Julie Barlow

Not everyone’s self-care looks the same. Your go-to self-care activity might not work every time. Self-care does not have to be in response to a bad day; as a matter of fact, it takes continuous self-care to actually take care of you.

Overcome Procrastination With Mindfulness

Mar 12, 2023 Julie Barlow

Procrastinating can haunt many aspects of our lives: work tasks, home projects, getting exercise or even just doing laundry. These ten tips will help set you up with ways to support you in growing as you work to improve your follow-through on things you want to accomplish.

What I Wish I Knew at the Beginning of My Intentional Living Journey

Feb 26, 2023 Julie Barlow

There is no exact or “correct” way to live intentionally. The possibilities of what it looks like and how it changes your life are endless and completely up to you. But, how can you create these benefits in your own life, no matter what your lifestyle is like? It all depends on how you want to implement it!

Why You Should Stop Replacing Self-Love with Self-Care

Feb 12, 2023 Julie Barlow

How My Life Changed When I Switched from Self-Care to Self-Love and 50 Love Affirmations: Valentine’s Day is almost here, but how do we expand self-love beyond material things? When we fully love ourselves, life looks totally different. Working on loving and accepting yourself doesn't mean stopping self-care altogether

What You Need to Know to Stop Giving Up on Journaling

Jan 29, 2023 Julie Barlow

There are ways to create sustainable journaling habits with no pressure or high expectations. Now is the time to begin to create a routine that works for you where journaling becomes a habit, so you can set yourself up for success in the new year. 

How to Enjoy Winter Instead of Dreading It

Jan 15, 2023 Julie Barlow

Fight Seasonal Depression & Make Progress on Your Dreams in Winter; Even if you hate the cold or struggle with seasonal depression, winter brings about so many things to celebrate and savor—you just have to be willing to look. We encourage women to indulge in the slowness and quiet of winter to...

5 Proven Ways to Create Progress on Your Dream Journey

Jan 01, 2023 Julie Barlow

The new year is a time when everyone is working to achieve their resolutions, beginning their year with pressure and jumping back into the hustle of everyday life. However, I say, throw your resolutions out the window. I'm not the only one who thinks this way—wealthy, successful people have used mindfulness tools to achieve their dreams, and the beginning of the year is a great time to educate yourself and try a new strategy as you shift away from grind culture and resolutions.

How to Make the Most of the Holidays with Intention

Dec 18, 2022 Julie Barlow

Have your holidays lost their meaning to the pressure of balancing finances with buying the right gifts, getting your work done before the end of the year and attending/planning events? The end of the year can often be the busiest time of year, so how can we really savor what should be a meaningful time with those we love without failing to fulfill our obligations? The answer is simple: you don’t have to do it all.

Are Your Negative Thoughts Ruining Your Life?

Dec 04, 2022 Julie Barlow

I dare you to spend one day counting how many times you have a negative thought about yourself. Think it might be a lot? It might seem difficult to know where to start to create a mindset shift away from negative perceptions of ourselves, but it is possible by taking steps.

Upholding Boundaries in Difficult Situations

Nov 20, 2022 Julie Barlow

Journal Prompts and Suggestions for Creating & Maintaining Boundaries How often do you find yourself saying yes when instead you should have said no? Defining personal boundaries can be a trial and error process, but we can also be proactive about creating our boundaries. But, how do we uphold them once we know what they are?

A New Journey for the JMB Living Journal

Nov 06, 2022 Julie Barlow

Over these last two years, I have listened to and taken note of all the reviews, feedback, criticisms, and real-life experiences of JMB Living Journal users to ensure that I can provide the best version of this guide as possible. And now, because of your commitment to helping JMB Living succeed with the candidness, support and love of our community, I have taken one step closer to that with a new edition of the JMB Living Journal premiering with the Winter 2023 issue.

5 Ways to Overcome Internal Resistance and Fight Procrastination

Oct 23, 2022 Julie Barlow

Have you ever felt like there’s a cinder block sitting on your chest, preventing you from getting up and accomplishing what you need to? While it may not be practical to stop procrastinating altogether, there are ways to balance being productive until you’re ready to complete something to the best of your ability.  

How to Make a Vision Board that Makes Your Dreams a Reality

Oct 09, 2022 Julie Barlow

When did we lose our ability to dream so big? Nurturing your dreams and creating your ideal life doesn’t always mean abandoning your present, but, perhaps, somewhere in the in-between to elevating the fulfillment and joy you feel every day. With my vision boarding over the years, I have brought love, money and travel

Increasing Presence with Gratitude

Sep 25, 2022 Julie Barlow

It might sound simple, but how do you actually adjust your lifestyle to actively slow down and increase presence? It’s actually more simple and achievable than you think: all you need is intention and a gratitude mindset.

Making Space for Progress with Mindful Decluttering

Sep 11, 2022 Julie Barlow

Why should spring be the only time we refresh our mindset and reorganize our space? Decluttering creates a fresh beginning to work from and invites new things and opportunities into life. How can we continuously be creating and adapting our space to reflect where we are on the journey to our dreams?

How To Use Intentional Journaling To Change Your Life

Aug 28, 2022 Julie Barlow

When was the last time you prioritized yourself? Do you know what your dreams are, or are you so stuck in routine that you’ve stopped trying to achieve anything beyond what you have? Five minutes, every day, to feel more joy and fulfillment while connecting with other women on their own Journal Journeys. That’s what the JMB Living Journal and intentional journaling can do for you.

How To Harness Anger for Healing

Aug 14, 2022 Julie Barlow

Do you control your anger, or does it control you? Without making an intention to explore your relationship with anger, it’s easy to assume that anger is just an emotion that is automatically triggered by external factors. Anger is a secondary emotion. Do you know how to recognize what's at the root of your anger?  

Journaling To Cultivate Joy with Curiosity

Jul 31, 2022 Julie Barlow

Imagine if you looked at the world through the eyes of a child; how many more questions would you have about why and how things are the way they are, rather than just accepting them and letting it leave your mind. When we become curious about our surroundings and the inner workings of the world around us, we increase our sense of presence in our own lives while also taking full advantage of everything life has to offer and feeling appreciation for the beauty all around us.

50 Ways to Stay Mindful in Summer

Jul 17, 2022 Julie Barlow

Practicing mindfulness during summer can help you truly savor everything the season allows you to do, while also preventing the time from flying by. Making an intention to be more present or practice mindfulness each day will enhance your memories of summer while also increasing the joy you feel in the moment.  Choosing one (or more) things from this list to practice each day/week will help you have the best summer yet without losing traction on your personal growth journey!

5 Steps to True Forgiveness

Jul 04, 2022 Julie Barlow

So how can we make the most out of forgiveness? How do you reconcile feelings of hurt—and even resentment—to create healing and growth?  A good way to start is to truly understand forgiveness and define your relationship with it.

How to Use Reflection as a Growth Tool

Jun 19, 2022 Julie Barlow

When we have lives that are evolving in a busy world, constantly presenting challenges, it can be difficult to feel centered and find time to focus on yourself and YOUR dreams. This is when reflection becomes most valuable, even if it can be difficult to find time for.

Mastering Time Management and Productivity with Mindfulness

Jun 06, 2022 Julie Barlow

Have you ever tried to combine work with mindfulness? It wasn’t until I didn’t have an enforced schedule that I realized how much my time management and productivity is controlled by me, rather than a manager or workplace. Making an intention to be productive every day and following through with it actually provides much more ease each day, and not just in work.

Molding Your Brain with Mindfulness

May 22, 2022 Julie Barlow

While many of us know about mindfulness practices and how to use them as tools in our daily lives, it’s easy to add it to our lifestyle without knowing how and why these tools make an impact in our mindsets and physicality. Repetition and the mind-body connection are at the core of many mindfulness practices, especially in meditation, journaling, habit-making, routines and affirmations. Science and mindfulness converge in neuroplasticity: the brain’s ability to physically shift and adjust after learning new information.

Toxic Positivity and What To Do Instead

May 08, 2022 Julie Barlow

Toxic positivity is real and sometimes it can be hard to know what to do instead. The first step is to recognize when you are feeling its weight in your own life. In a society that currently values toxic positivity and “grind culture”, it’s important to be able to navigate difficult times and emotional fluctuations that seemingly have no source. It’s normal to be sad randomly! 

How Routines Create Consistency in an Inconsistent Life

Apr 24, 2022 Julie Barlow

So how do we find stability in an ever-changing world? What can we depend on when we can’t ever predict what might happen next? We learn to rely on ourselves. It’s important to intentionally craft a routine for yourself. Choose to see it as an investment into your holistic well-being.

Creating a Roadmap to Your Dreams

Apr 10, 2022 Julie Barlow

Do you have a path that leads to your dreams? If you have a dream, but have never taken the time to design yourself a roadmap on how to achieve it, the journey to reaching for it may be very much like a maze—if you even begin the journal at all. On the other hand, if you create a plan and keep putting one foot in front of the other, taking steps along the roadmap you created, you will make steady progress toward making your dream a reality.

My Aura-Soma Journey at Guided Place

Mar 27, 2022 Julie Barlow

Aura-Soma uses your own internal intuition in combination with your unconscious to identify areas of need and direction to bring you closer to embodying your purpose and ideal life.

Effectively Journaling for Mental Health

Mar 13, 2022 Julie Barlow

Prompted journaling for mental health is beneficial because it allows you to deeply work through specific pain points or recognize patterns, triggers, or stressors. This increased self awareness can help you remember to...

How To Optimize Sleep During Seasonal Shifts

Feb 28, 2022 Julie Barlow

As winter wanes and each day grows longer with more light, our natural circadian rhythm is impacted, so it's helpful to begin preparing for this shift. Spring is a wonderful season that brings about feelings of opportunity, energy, and blossoming—a stark contrast to the stillness and slowness of winter. That's why intentionally transitioning from winter to spring can...

Everyday Ways to Love Yourself Fully

Feb 14, 2022 Julie Barlow

What first comes to mind when you realize Valentine's Day is approaching? Is it a rush of urgency to get a loved one a gift or plan a special day? Do you start to reminisce on loving memories? How long does it take for you to think about ways you can love yourself?

How to Actually Make and Break Habits

Jan 30, 2022 Julie Barlow

Our habits reflect our core values, especially as we become more mindful of the habits we want to make and what our desired outcome is. If you've failed making a habit before, here's exactly how to set yourself up for success when you make a new habit:

How to Achieve Your Deepest Self Desires

Jan 17, 2022 Julie Barlow

Are you doing what your deepest self desires? Or are you just going through the motions in life right now? Paying the bills, feeding the family, getting through the workday…

How to Master Loving Yourself Fully & Fiercely

Jan 02, 2022 Julie Barlow

I connected recently with artist Peyton Turner and when I told her that I’d love to feature her art in a future journal issue, she offered to do an intuitive painting with a message for JMB Living. Of course I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to see how this would unfold. The following is a guest blog by Peyton about her experience creating the piece and its meaning.

Hygge Hacks with The Hygge Gathering

Dec 19, 2021 Julie Barlow

As winter approaches, we wanted to revisit hygge and share some great tips and hacks to add it into your lifestyle, and Kim is the perfect person to learn from! To learn more about her business and delve into all things hygge, we interviewed Kim to share the best information and discuss how mindfulness and hygge go hand-in-hand.

JMB Giving: How to Have a Mindful Holiday

Dec 05, 2021 Julie Barlow

…I wanted to incorporate gratitude and mindfulness into gift-giving. I have compiled a sort of gift guide divided into three categories: Small Businesses, Sustainable Businesses, and Intangible Gifts.

How to Manage Anxiety & Stress with Mindfulness

Dec 05, 2021 Julie Barlow

As we move through the holiday season and approach a period of time where many people suffer from seasonal depression, I wanted to address mindfully managing mental health.

Being Fluent in Love Languages

Nov 22, 2021 Julie Barlow

Knowing and understanding your own love language and those of the people you give gifts to can make your gifts more impactful and meaningful; utilizing love languages more deeply conveys your care for others and can help you effectively celebrate the holidays!

Sales & Sustainability: How to be a Mindful Consumer

Nov 22, 2021 Julie Barlow

Even though some of us might have many gifts to purchase, there are still tips to ensure that we are slowing down and being intentional about our purchases and maintaining balance and self-control.

Re-framing Gratitude

Nov 07, 2021 Julie Barlow

Being grateful is a key pillar to living a joyful, mindful, and balanced life, but what is it really, what does it entail, and what are the benefits?

Saying Hello to your Inner Critic

Oct 24, 2021 Julie Barlow

We’ve all got one. That voice inside your head that is quick to cut you down and put you in your place. Sometimes it’s for good reason; to keep you safe and from attempting things that truly are beyond your capacity to do. But most of the time, it’s simply a habit of letting your mind run wild and free with any negative thoughts that pop into your head. It’s time to take control of this inner dialog by getting up close and personal and saying hello to your inner critic.

Need Help on Your JMB Living Journal Journey?

Oct 10, 2021 Julie Barlow

I intentionally created the JMB Living Journal with an abundance of prompts to increase the structure and also freedom you have in using your journal—as in, you can fill in as many (or as few) prompts as you want each day! I love the metaphor of your journal use as a Journal Journey because everyone that purchases a journal becomes part of a community where we are all traveling different paths on the same journey to a more mindful life.

Shattering Limiting Beliefs

Sep 26, 2021 Julie Barlow

One of the biggest obstacles we have toward reaching our dreams is limiting beliefs. We’ve all got them. Some are up front and center in our minds and others hide away in the deep recesses. Both are challenging to tackle, but if we take the time to face them head on, we can limit their impact and even get rid of them for good. This blog post offers some tactics for exploring and updating your belief system.

7 Benefits of Mindfulness

Sep 13, 2021 Julie Barlow

Mindfulness is the practice of going through life with a perspective of higher self-awareness. At its most basic, mindfulness is a daily tool. At its most complex, mindfulness reaches into every aspect of our lives to increase synergy and alignment.