Liz Marie Gallavan: Best selling author is an open book in this interview about multiple miscarriages, adoption, her sweet family, and the passion behind her new book “Cozy White Cottage Season.” It’s a must have!

everything about your existence cozy. This is Liz Galvan and you are absolutely a powerhouse, incredible woman, mother, inspiring human. I'm so happy to have you here. Thank you for joining me, thank you for having me, and thank you for that peff talk. I feel like I want to hear that every morning and to get me going, So

thank you. I have a lot of friends who are incredible like you, because I I live in this space where women, women especially have just taken life by the horns and like sees the moment and created incredible businesses and companies. And I always just marvel and you are one of those. I just marvel at a woman like you who writes this is your second book, right, it

is second book. I mean, you have a New York Times Best selling book already and then this is your second one, which is Cozy White Cottage Seasons a hundred ways to be cozy all year long. I mean, you have a book, you have a is it a is it called a brick and mortar? Is that what it's called. Yeah, So we have a brick and mortar and an online shop that we run as well, called the found Cottage, and then we also have one on our personal um on our farm here, a shop on my blog lisbe

blog dot com as well. And then you have a it's a whole like it's not it's not a festival, but you have all as like a vender thing once a year where everybody comes. What is that going? Sorry, I'm so like naive to all that. I'm like my dram I love talking about it. So it's the found Cottage Mercantile and it's every Labor Day weekend in Holland, Michigan,

and people from all over the country come. We have about a hundred and fifty vendors from around the country and ten thousand plus people come to visit in shop and it's the best weekend of the year. So do you are you just a visionary? Do you just like dream these things up and how do you actually make

them reality? That's what I always am marveling at. It's like a lot of people have ideas, but then to actually put the pin to paper and the boots on the ground and to make it happen like that takes so much energy and work and so many people have to be involved, and you're managing so many plates. How do you do all that? I think it's too things. And I think one thing is the thing that you've already said that you do as well, So I hope

you give yourself credit on this. But it's surrounding yourself with um go getters that want to join you or just cheer you on the whole time, and that's huge, but also kind of just taking leaps of faith and it's your passion. So you either do it or you sit back and watch someone else do it. And so it's like not thinking maybe sometimes and just taking that leap and praying for the best and it's it's worked. So yeah, So tell me how you got into all

of this. How did you get your start? I want to talk about all your journeys, because you've had a very long journey to becoming a mother, which is such a very important topic for me because motherhood. I have a mother. I'm a mother material too. And I didn't have a big infant to your infertility struggle, but for a year we couldn't get pregnant. I had a couple of miscarriages and it was very heartbreaking. And I know you had like years of trying and miscarrying, like I

know you had like several maybe like tin miss carriages. Yeah, yeah, so our way, I guess way back in the day for talking the start of everything, it was I was always doing creative things. I was always going to garage sales, thrift shops from the time I was in high school and kind of just doing all of this stuff. And um, I'm married really young to a marine and we're still married fourteen years later, and thank you. Life has been great and wonderful and he's my biggest supporter and has

pushed me as well. So I think finding those people, including a partner that pushes you and encourages you to do the things that you love. Um. But one day my friend said you should start a blog and start sharing what you do. I had no idea what the word blog was. It sounded dirty. To me, I was like, what is that? And my husband, yeah, I know. I was like, okay, yeah, g Blogger two thousand, two thousand nine. It was just for the fun of it and to

meet people that we're doing what you were doing. There was no money involved. It was the wild West. It was great. So you always were known though, for being the Queen of cozy to your friends, like you always were known for like house styling, and and like or and I like you like was that like a home decor and the way you like put things together? And three everyone knew that was your gift. Yeah d I y maybe yeah, family, Like I was the kid that

wasn't watching cartoons. I was watching I don't know if anyone remembers Christopher Lowell, Um, he was my hero. I'm listening, probably knows what I'm talking about. But he was on daytime TV talking about tassels and stuff, but in trading spaces. So it was always a passion um and over time it evolved into what it is today, and um, you know, we're able to make a living off of it. It's obviously as different um things that's taken on, like markets

and the store and things like that. But UM. In between there as well, we started to try to grow our family and quickly realized that wasn't going to be an easy journey. And we have had ten miscarriages and um, I'm years of infertility and no answers, you know, and you know that struggle too. It's like losing a child why you want to know why? And so that was always a struggle. And so I started blogging about that as well. And I think that's when UM I started

really growing a following and meeting this community. Is when I started to share the real things UM and that it wasn't that hard for you to share when you were going through it, because I feel like when you want to grow your family, most people are like, Okay, I'm gonna wait to grow my family because then I'll just get pregnant and it will happen. And then you

try and it doesn't happen. That everyone else around you is getting pregnant, everyone is growing their families and like all the and then it's like the only thing that you want in your life is a child. Like it makes me tear you thinking about it, because it's like that burning desire and it's like, why is this not happening. Why am I having to lose these children? It's like the I can't even imagine your journey, having to go through it so many times, like that's just how did

you get yourself up to go again? It was really hard, and to be honest with you, um I I do think that it pushed me to find my passion for sharing cozy because I needed that in my life. I mean, if you can imagine years of infertility and miscarriages and being far away from my family at the time as well, Uh, you know, we were living the Marine Corps life, and so my husband was also deploying. You mean, it was

I had to find the sanctuary and make it. And so I do think that it pushed me to where I'm at today and to be able to share that with other people and help other people. Um But I do think it was just keeping faith alive and um just knowing that one day God was going to give us a baby. It just wasn't gonna be on my timing,

and so letting that go helped a lot. And now we have adopted our beautiful soun of CoA limbo who's too and I just can't imagine any other plan for me, and so I'm glad it wasn't my plan, you know. And it's just it's really cool to witness that being

on the other side. Um, and so anyone listening who's having that struggle with anything in your life, if you're in the storm right now, it gets better and you'll look back and be really appreciative of yourself if you use your time now in that storm wisely and maybe start a new business, maybe do something, you know, do something exciting with your time, or um, just keep your

hope and yeah, you'll be proud of yourself. That's really powerful that you said the storm of infertility and miscarriages is what kind of led you to creating what is blessing so many people. And in your blog blessed talking talking about your journey, but this like blesses so many people.

And that is such a great point because I didn't do that when I was in the storm, and I was only in the storm for like a year, but I just stayed in the storm like I was depressed, I was sad, I was like kind of hopeless, and like I just like it. And then I did end up getting pregnant and so I didn't continue I was able to move on that way, but like I didn't see any hope from it. Like I felt like it was life ending when you want a child, so not

life ending. That's dramatic. I'm sorry. I don't mean to say that, but like it was like the only thing that I wanted in life anymore. And it's like when you don't get it, it's so hard to get out of that storm. But the fact that you poured into your passion what and what a great message to send to people. I hope so. And you had asked earlier if it was hard to share, and I do think you know, it's it's really awesome that you're sharing now to um. It gives other people hope and it also

makes them feel less alone. When I started sharing, it was kind of similar to you. It was out of anger and it was out of um, I guess, you know, losing that hope and faith in that moment, and it pushed me to share. It was actually on Mother's Day after maybe like our second or third I everyone was sharing their Mother's Day posts and I was like, you know what, I'm a mom too, but my babies are in heaven, and so I just wrote this blog. Post is I know, my God? Yeah, And I pressed published

and I was like, what did I just do? I just told the world. And at this time, when I was doing it many years ago, I didn't feel like it was like a heavy topic in the blogging world or something talked about often. But it led to really good things. It was therapy for me. I had I met other people going through similar struggles and so it helped me and in turn, I hope it helped others too.

Isn't life just so? It just it's so fragile, It's so there is no playbook, there is no We have all these dreams and all these ideas for our lives, but when it comes down to it, there it's just we just have to kind of like roll with the circumstances that were dealt with and make them beautiful and cozy and into something that has a meaning or else it will swallow you whole. That's incredible, is like incredible? How and then how did you guys decide that it

was time for adoption? Like what was that moment when you released because I'm sure that was like a moment for you when you was it releasing that post to Mother's Day? No so we had many many years after that of infertility and miscarriage. UM, I mean many many years. And then it was actually we moved after my husband got out of the marine, where we moved back to Michigan. Um. We opened our store, the found Cottage, and then one day at our market, we my husband and I work it.

You know, we obviously we're helping and doing all this stuff, but we are not together the entire day. And we came together at the end of the day and we looked at each other and we're like, everyone talked to you about adoption today, and it was the weirdest thing. We had never mentioned. We wanted to do it, and hundreds of people came up to us. They were birth moms, people who had been adopted, or people that had adopted, and they all came up to us and shared their story.

But it was like kind of like every time, I was like, why did you just share that with me? And so at the end of the day, we like looked up at the sky like, Okay, God, we'll look into it. You know. It's one of those moments. And I always used to hate when people said they had like a calling. I didn't. I'm like what does that mean? I know too. I'm like, yeah, I love to use that word too, but I'm like, this is so lame. That's how I feel. Okay, Well, the weirdest thing, um,

I know, God, I just talked to you. I know, are you? Are you Moses exactly? Like where's the burning bush? I now know though, what I think a lot of people mean, and my definition of getting a calling is feeling complete peace about a decision. I mean, you do not question it, you do not hesitate, and you're like, this is my path to me. That's what it was. It was like we went to one class about adoption and we're like, oh my gosh, I do not ever want to be pregnant again. That is not our journey

and to let that go and have complete peace. I was like, ohill telling yeah, and so that's what it was. It was. I honestly, it was like, this is how we want to grow our family, and that's how we still feel and we've never been like, oh maybe we could do No, it's just complete peace. And I now know. I think that's what the majority of people are saying when they feel they have a calling, Like that's where God wants us and so adoption, and I never saw

us here. I always looked at families that adopted. I always put them on a pedestal like they were this perfect, like they were at some point in their life that I would never be until I was like maybe fifty. I totally get that, like so much more spiritually evolved a whole as a human, Like yeah's able to do this. I feel that same way. It's like it's so powerful the people who adopt them, like, wow, that's amazing. I can't. I can tell you that there are normal people who

are very because that's where we're at. I mean, I just never and for a birth mom to select us and entrust us with this child she gave birth to and loves wholeheartedly is the best gift that I mean. I think of her every day and we talk and thankfully we have an open relationship with her where she's able to come and see him and she's like, wow, she's so so cope knows his mommy or whatever. How do you how do you do it? How do you so?

So he's too and so I you know, we talk about it, like we say her name and then we say, you know, you grew inside her belly and you know he doesn't grasp it. Yeah, And it's really cool because another way I can explain it is she actually allowed me to be in the room when she gave birth, and which was the best gift ever. And so I got to cut the cord, which how symbolic is that? Oh my god, that is I'm like, I'm gonna I

already mess, I know. And I got to do like the first hour of like skinness, like she gave me. She gave me that she was there. Yes, she was there. I was at the end of the bed, which no one ever talks about as um an adoptive mom. The guilt that you feel watching this amazing woman in labor and at the end you will be receiving the baby. And it's no one tough. I got that overwhelming feeling, and I was like, I wish someone had warned me, but maybe I would have been too nervous. But about

that experience, Like what is that experience like? Because that is so powerful and bigger than this life, Like that is so beyond this life. Yeah, So she could have chosen meant, she could have chosen to parents. She's an amazing woman, She's a nurse, UM. I mean, she could have chosen to parent like she would have been an amazing mom to cope, UM. And she could have chosen

another option as well. You know, it probably maybe would have been easier, UM, But she chose adoption, and she chose to give us that time in the hospital when that is her time, that is a birth mom's time, and she chose to let us in. And she said, so, my husband was there too. He was not there for the labor um as far as like the pushing and things like that, but um, he was there all before in an hour after, and she allowed us um to

sleep with him at night. We got our own room, and then we would wheel him in during the day. And it honestly was four days of blocking the entire world out and we all were there as a family with her mom and dad, and we could pretend like nothing was happening. The last day was hard because obviously we were leaving the hospital with baby, and she was leaving with no baby, UM. And so I'm sure that

was probably the worst day of her life. UM. And it it really is, UM, such a crazy junxtaposition that your happiest day of your life is someone else's most tragic day. UM. And so that's something that you have to work through on both ends. UM. And you really have to love each other to keep this open relationship. Gosh, yeah, it's heavy. And I have a friend right now who just got the call that they are adopting, Like they just are flying to go be in labor with the mom,

like right now, like today. And I have another friend who was telling me her story where the baby was born and she was in the room as well, and the birth mom just like hated her the baby. You know, it's like, yeah, this is your baby, but like what the power to like do it for the child. It's all for the child, you know. That's exactly it. And and every eye anyone listening to who wants to adopt or maybe feels like, oh wait, that's not how adoption goes.

I want to like emphasize how every adoption is different and and everyone is you know some end where birth mom comes back and wants maybe and and so there are so many different avenues and different things to think about. Um. And and no story is perfect. I mean, it's kind of I always compare it to pregnancy. You know, some pregnancies and and some you know, you know, it's it's you have those ups and downs. Just with any journey to motherhood, there's these ups and downs and different roadblocks

and um, different things. So I want to emphasize that too totally. And I want to go back to the point it you said, if you have a calling on your heart to be a mother, you will be a mother. Like it will happen in in the calling word all that, but like you know, when you have a desire that is beyond just like a want, it's like it's like a part of who you are as a human, your soul. When you have that calling, like, it will happen, it will take form, it will you will get led down

the road. But it doesn't mean it's gonna It could be the hardest word of your life. Yes, And I do think God puts these um callings and desires on us because that's where we are meant to be. And it's hard to be like, Okay, if you want me there, then why do you not just give it to me?

But right, yeah, And but being on the other side when it happens, you're like, oh, because the craziest thing to um is every time I had a miscarriage, something very big happened, like right then, like what do you mean we would I had a miscarriage, and then the opportunity to open our store happened. I had a miscarriage in a week later, a publisher called me to write

a book. It was like, I would look make any of that out it all to you, yes, And I would have chills just being like, okay, God, like I am meant to be here. So yeah, So if we really look about ourselves too, we can be like, oh, you know what I mean, I think we just have to keep our eyes open and our hearts open and our ears open for these things. And I'm not saying, like again that God speaking to us through burning bushes and things like that, but if you really look about

your life right now, it's, oh, yeah, you're right. I got this job opportunity after my boyfriend broke up with me, you know what I mean. Like, I just think that if you really look around you, you can feel that you are meant to be where you're at um And and that was really cool that be significant things happened because I don't know if I would have survived tennis carriages if you had to add something to pour into yes, something. It was another passion of heart. Obviously being a mother

was a huge focus and passion of your heart. But like these opportunities that showed up for you, that came to you seemingly out of like nowhere, maybe like getting a publisher come to you. I feel like people hound down publishers, like, don't hunt them down to get a book deal. You know, I actually hate talking about that because I know there are a lot of publishers out there that are like, oh, come on, they like a

big I roll and I get it. I actually when they called, I was like, there's no I am writing a book. I There's just no way. And again my husband pushed music, you can do this. And I've since learned that there are editors and there are people that photographers that help with these things, you know, as professionals,

and um, to get those books out. It's not just the author, because I was thinking, you again, I put authors on pedestals and um, please don't to anyone listening, because there are normal people sitting around in their cozy pajamas all day, um, with help from editors and things like that. So anyways, UM, it is one of those things where I'm very thankful because it probably kept me

going um and keeping my hope and faith alive. So looking back on your journey to motherhood, because it is so intertwined with your journey to cozy white cottage, like it is like they literally are like sisters. Like I feel like it is like they are siblings. These these passions of yours and it's like mixed with beauty and pain, and it's an outlet and it's also like a place

for you to pour your pour your heart. So why do you feel now that you are on the other side and you are this successful author, you are the successful business woman, You have a beautiful marriage, you have a beautiful child, you have gotten to the dream that you wanted. But like you said, you were in the storm for so long. Now that you are on this other side and so many amazing gifts happened to you in the it's of the storm that kept you going. Why do you think your journey played out the way

it did? Now? That is a good question, and I feel like there's many different thoughts on that. But my first thought when you said that was how I feel like I am on the other side. Is I think going through something so dark you actually don't know how dark and scary it is, and tell you are out of it and looking back, you're like, wow, Um, I'm really glad I did not know how bad that was or I did not know how dark that was. And because now you, I mean, things happen every day to us,

Like lately, I'm like, did I do something wrong? You know what I mean? You're still getting things thrown at you. But things seem very insignificant now after leaving such a dark time, and so and I do think that I was meant to go through all of that to find and really hone in on my passions. Maybe if I had started growing my family at twenty four, when I first had the desire, I would not have any of

these passions of my own. Um, maybe I wouldn't be doing any of it, and maybe I would be bored, and maybe you know what I mean, I I I guess for me, it's like, I'm really glad that God gave me that time to find myself and maybe I'm a better mother because of it. And and I just have to think like that because I still do moren those babies that are in heaven, and I can't wait, like when I enter heaven one day to be able

to meet them. And I often think of them like sitting on my grandpa's lap now and so I still more than that all the time. But it's just seeing how dark it can be and that there had to have been a purpose for all of it. I have

to think like that. And I think too, because you're such a passionate, intentional person that, like you said, like you probably gave so much to your passions, like you said, because you had nothing else too, Like you had nowhere else to go, So you probably poured in so intensely that maybe you would have never been able to, like you said, have that kind of focus or it's probably like your your only safe refuge. Yeah, And I anyone who knows me in real life knows I'm kind of

like an all or nothing person. I obsessed over things and I pour everything into it. Um so I am all or nothing and it and I do think, um, I had to find cozy, and not to be cheesy, but I did have to find it. And I think one of the pillars of being cozy is feeling safe. And I think in this world and everything that we've been through lately, I think everyone can relate to that. I will say the start of writing this book, I was a mom at the time, so my first book

I was going through. I had just had my ted miscarriage, so I was in the darkest storm. So my first cozy book with a hundred tips was really written in my darkest time. But I think that helped me really find these like simple approachable cozy tips. Anyone could use this one talking to yourself and that first book, were you like talking to yourself, this is how like a hundred tips to be cozy? Was it like, this is

how I'm comforting myself. And it's and it's not just like you know, a lot of like hate were like influencers and people who are in that world. A lot of it's like staged and it's like for to sell something, But yours is really because you had to figure out how to be cozy in your life. I do. I think that's exactly it. And I think it's just like looking around the house and being like, Okay, what do I do share it? Like how do I find comfort? Because like, yes, whole life was to try to find

comfort for yourself. Yeah, And in this book was written, we started at the beginning of and I was like, wait, why does a book on home to court even matter right now in the grand scheme of what's happening. But I had a few really good people in my life look at me and go now, more than ever, cozy is important. So this book was going to be filled with a lot more like complicated like holiday d I wise, and we mixed that and we're like, no, how from season to season, all year long do you make your

home cozy? And so we really simplified it. We brought in a lot of tips to do with like family and just how to like incorporate your kids and other families, and so we really just went back to the basics. And I do um, I do think God uh puts us in like he doesn't. Nothing's by accident. I do think like there was a good time to start this book.

And that was the beginning of because I do hope it helps people really look around them and realize, oh, I don't have to have a lot of money or I don't have to have a lot of time to make my home cozy. Um, And everyone's definition of cozy is different. I hope when they look at the photos, they're like, oh, well, I don't think that's cozy. And it's kind of like, no, cozy to you is going to be something totally different than me. And I hope

they get that from every tip. And I always say, cozy to me is my five senses being at peace at once, and so obviously everyone's senses are different, and so I do hope people gather that from every tip in the book. But you cover it all like you cover it all in this book, and that's what I love.

It's like you have a title like, okay, so here's your fifty one at fall stems, like how to incorporate fall stems into your life, but then you have you lay it out, you give examples, so like for me, someone who doesn't understand even like where to start with that, and like Garlands and like you, then it's like here are your options, and you lay it out and you lay it out and then you very simply tell you how to do it, how to set up a cozy

apple bar, and then you like lay it out. It's just like all the things that like you walk into a perfect cozy white house and you're like, how did they achieve this? I'll never be able to do something like this. I mean, it's like it's incredible and I love this, like your fall bucket list, like what to do in the fall, like people who want to make traditions with your family, Like you're saying, it's like, okay,

well here are some things to do. It's like sometimes people want to do all these things, but they have no not sometimes most times they have no idea where to start, and it feels so overwhelming. So you pick up This is why I love this book. You pick it up and then you find the tip that resonates with you. You don't have to do all one hundred of these tips, but like you search through this and you find like, oh man, I really want to like have a handmade ornaments. I want to do that with

my kids, Like how do I do that? And you go and then you lay it out. I just think that that is just brilliant because you give it in bite sizes and then you cover the whole spread. So it's like I don't have to go reinvent the will. I just pick up this book and then I figure out what what hits me and then you've told me how to do it. That's just it's incredible. It's such a gift that you give to people. Thank you so much. That's how I learned better with like little bits of information.

Please don't so I'm hoping that's what people gather. So thank you for that review that was I like that, like each each thing though, is not too long, you know, it's like that copection. It's like it's like one or two pages, like and so that's like great for me because I'm a terrible reader. But like I'll read a page and you know, I'll goat, I'll read this and I'll be like, okay, this, let me look at Coke. Are you reading his cookie? It's just like I'll go

and I'll be like, okay, where to hang stockings? That's a great question because like when I was starting up with my Christmas decorations, I literally I bought some of mine are still lived over from the Dollar Store and I was in college and I'm like, oh my god, like I need to update, but like what am I supposed to buy? You pick up this book and it tells you like, Okay, here's how to do it, here's how to hook them, here's how to like find the right shop. I mean, it's just so great because then

I'm like, Okay, you are an expert. You have already done the work for me. You have already like you know, checked it all out done and all you know what is right and what is wrong as far as aesthetic and how to feel codes. So I don't have to go reinvent the wheel. I can just like pick this up and be like, great, here's where I can do this based on these tips. I love that. Thank you. I I do hope it helps, so thank you for

saying that well. And I also think with writing a book and tell me this if you feel this way, I feel like really amazing books that I gravitate towards. They really offer you useful information, like whether it could be like a biography of someone who's had a great

life story and like you heal from that. But like this is like such an offering of information to a lot of people in the world, like a lot of wives, a lot of housewives, a lot of people who are not even married, who have anyone who owns a home or lives in a house. Really Lee, And like you said, it doesn't have to be expensive. You can do it on a budget. You can d I y it yourself, like one of the things that you did that blew my mind. And this goes back to you having all

this energy you you had for the fall season. You took all of your books off of this incredible book you had, and you put like so many pumpkins on there that I I don't even I couldn't even count them. But it's like, how did you come up with that? And then the fact that like anyone can go buy pumpkins and do that, it's just creating that thought to do something so make a special feeling and a cozy

feeling in your house. But it just like it takes so much thought and energy to come up with those things. But you're did your brain just like work like that? You just see stuff. Unfortunately, the brain never stops. Um. And so that's just I that is my brain, um, and that is what I think of, and so I do try to share, like the more approachable side. I realized that not everyone wants to go put seventy pumpkins on their shot? Seven eight? Is that how many? It was?

I know, I think it. I forgot it was like it was like it was a lot, but it was It's definitely like, oh, well, I could keep my books on there and maybe put like seven, you know what I mean. So I hope that even when I do some wild things like that, because once in a while, I have to I have to let it out. Um, I have to let the crazy out. Um. I do like a lot of approachable things, but once in a while, you know, I let loose. But I hope that even seeing something like that, people can go, oh, I can

do it in my own way. Yeah, and we're on my own budget or with the time that I have, you know what I mean, Because I know that not everyone is up till two am after babies asleep, decorating. But that's just how my brain works. But I hope that you know it inspires in some way, so I can't stop the brain. So how do you have that much energy? Like I'm literally I just what is your number on the angiogram? You're probably a three? No, I

am a solid four. I'm for I'm a solid four and every you an emotional wreck if you only knew I, I am a laughing off the screen right now. Yes, because everyone knows everything is emotion everything, and I take everything personally. I honestly taking the angiogram, though, I sometimes when you talk to people about it, They're like, okay, like astrology, and I'm like, no, taking the Instagram has given me a lot of grace for myself. It's taught

me so much about myself. And I feel bad for people that don't have a solid number or they don't know exactly. But I mean I am the negative and positive of a four, so that's that you are too. I can't believe you're a four because you have so much like energy, Like I'm a four, but like I sit in my feelings, like I like, don't I don't love to do stuff? Are you also an access service person? No?

Because I'm just like I wanted to sit around and talk to people and feel feelings and like but then you also like do these giant spreads and you've created a mercantile and like all this stuff. I'm like how because like I'm like, oh, that's so amazing, but like, oh, my feeling just took a hold of me and I'm actually just gonna like sit here and feel I do.

There's like I do think there's like two sides to it, because I think one of the negative sides of being afore is that you always want to be an individual so you want to do things first. So when I get an idea, I'm like, well, I better execute it before someone else does it. And so I feel I think that is where I'm at. But everything is tied to emotion. So everything's exhausting in the sense of if I talk to someone, which I never have small talk

with anybody ever, and it drives me freaking bonkers. I know everyone's story when I leave the gas station and my husband laughs so hard. He's like, do you have that written on your forehead? Because someone will just walk up to you and go, um, well I have kids, her and then this and they and you're in the gas station grabbing a coat, you know what I mean. And so but I love it, but sometimes it is exhausting.

What's your husband number? He is a five, so that's interesting that we're but you know what, I don't know if he's one with a solid number and he's not super into it, but definitely a five. And I work closely at my shop with a three. And it also has made me realize how to nurture her as one of my employees. So it's been I think the angiogram can be really great and helpful. I know what to say to her and how to say it, because sometimes when I say things, I think it can come out

short or harsh. And I now know how to say it to her because she's very like by the book and you know what I mean. And so it is it's so interesting. Well, and I always like, I'm kind of like jealous of threes because like that's an achiever and like three, like they're the ones who are just like go go, go, go go. They got like these big ends and they just execute and execute and execute, and they like never stop. And I'm like, it's probably

great to work with the three. It's probably fault though. I once in a while, we were doing our Christmas reset and it was one in the morning, and I was like, I think you need to go home, Like this is not you're you're literally an employee. I I you know what I mean, you need to go home. But there's such an achiever and they want you to see that. So now that I know that, I have to be forceful, like go home, you know, you know I have to be forceful. But that was really helpful,

you know. Um And I think being afoord too, you can really um stop yourself and you can really give yourself grace when you're seeing those negative parts come out. So it's just interesting. So I don't know about you, but being a for my whole life has been I'm just always an emotional record. I'm the same thing with you. I'm like, it's like my my husband's like the same thing. You have something on your forehead. I will go to a party and like, I'm not going to a party

to like wine and dine. I'm going in and I'm like, who in the room is hurting? Who is hurting? Who feels like they? Who's not like in the mix? Who needs to be brought in? Like I gravitate towards all the souls who have something that's aching inside of them. And I'm like, let's talk about this. I want to help, Like I don't know something, I want to help heal you. I just want to hear you. I want you to feel heard, I want you to be seen. I want

you to feel better. I hate when people feel bad, Like I hate it when people are sad and when people feel excluded or whatever. So like, how has how have these past two years in the world been on you? Because like I feel like I have just been catapulted with emotion, like realizing all the pain and suffering and injustice and everything wrong. And I know the world has always had terrible things going on, but like it's been so heavy it has really like taken a toll on me.

I feel the same way. And it's interesting talking and I don't know, are you. I struggle with a lot of like social anxiety, and I'm kind of um, I'm very introverted. Uh. Sometimes I joke that I'm like a little hermit, like I want to leave my house if someone didn't beg me to leave. And so I wonder if we're opposite as a foreign that too, because I when I go to something social, I don't talk for two days after that. And so yeah, I'm very um

going to like conferences. I will go to the hotel room after and cry because I'm so it takes a lot out of me. Um, I'm I'm very much good on my alone. Like I'm very much good alone. So it's interesting. You know, if you had asked me at the beginning what I thought your angiograand was, I would have never guessed before. But I do think we're proof that there is arrange. You know what I mean within that. Um, but I forget what you asked me. I think I forgot he just but I just want to say that

that I do think that's interesting. Um yeah, iver introvert, because I will here is how my extrovert works. I am a people pleaser to a fault, Like I am a people pleaser, and so I always had this. My passion was drawn towards like music and singing and the special thing. I always wanted to be special because I

never felt special. So I was like, I need to go get to Nashville and get in the entertainment industry and get in the music industry so I can get validated and become special and everyone will know that I'm special, and then I can fulfill this whole in my heart of not feeling of everyone knowing that I'm special because I never felt like. I always struggled with major insecurities, major self worth issues, all sorts of stuff like that.

So I'm like, if I could just get famous, then everyone will know I'm special and I can heal myself. And that is like was my teenage thoughts. Believe me, now that Ione was forty, I'm like, I absolutely do not have that same desire. I have a fame and limelight. All that is like it's a trap. It's like literally that anyway. So I but when I was an extrovert, I would do it as a I would give so much. Like so I go to party and I just give everything I had because I just want everyone to like me.

I want everyone to feel good. I feel like it's my job to make sure everyone's incorporated in a conversation and it's my job to make sure the room is happy, and like that would be so then people like me or whatever, and then that's my contribution. So I would just give so heavily in that way that now I'm kind of becoming like you where I much preferred not to be in large groups and I hate small talk and I definitely just want to be with people that

I know and can chill. Because I enter into this like range of my voice gets higher, my energy gets higher, like almost turned into like a tornado, and it's like exhausting, and then I feel like I have to come down for days two and I'm like, God, why do I do that? It's so exhausting. Well, I have to say, like even you know, meeting you face to face to the first time to day. You're really good at that

making someone feel welcome and comfortable. I felt like when we sat down and we're looking at each other obviously, UM, I just felt, oh, I'm I'm welcome here. So you're really good at it. Um, and I feel the same way. It's it's just kind of an exhausting thing, um, not being able to go anywhere and not bringing all that emotion with you. Let's have some small talk, let's do that. But it just it's it's it never happens. It always

is deeper. Um. And I remember what you had asked me about what was the same same and how that was affecting as a for now and yeah, and I will say, um, it's just every it's very heavy. Um. You I look at the world totally different now, Um, in good ways. But you see a lot of things that I think you probably have this too, where you

see things a lot deeper than other people. And also when you meet people, you can feel right away their vibe of out you and my husband can't do that, and I wish that I couldn't because I would love to like not know when someone doesn't like me or doesn't you know what I mean, I'd love to not know that, but you can feel that. And so there are these really heavy feelings, a lot of guilt and just really heavy feelings. Um you know, I I feel guilty um with health or like with being okay, or

even um at the beginning of it all. We live on a farm, not in the middle of nowhere, but we do have a little farm met and I felt guilty for the space we had to roam when other people didn't have that, Like, it's just it's it's a lot.

I would love to talk to you about that, actually, because I feel guilt all the time for blessings, Like I feel guilty for being being blessed in the ways that I have been blessed, where I know everyone has their own blessings, that I feel guilty for being blessed, and I oftentimes want to downplay it, and I have a hard time, like sometimes I feel like I need to, Like I have a hard time being my full expression of what I think I fully can be because I

don't want to make anyone feel bad. And it's not because I'm so I think I'm so great, but I feel like I just don't want anyone to feel bad about their life. If I'm saying, oh, look at what I'm doing, or look at what I've created, or look at me and this like you know, I just it makes me feel guilty because I don't want anyone to feel like like you said, well, well screw her, like I'm struggling, you know, And I'm like, I don't want

to do that. But then I also want to fully express who I came to this earth to be, and this is the life that I was born into and this is who I have become. And so I'm like, I want to honor God in that way and fully express myself and be because like now, I'm so intentional with my soul. I'm not doing anything for the wrong reasons. I'm doing it because I want to express my soul.

And I know you are too. But sometimes when you get to that place, blessings do start flowing in, and I feel like I blocked them a lot because I'm like, I don't want to be too much for people. I don't want people to be feeling like they don't have enough. Does that make sense? Well, it's hard to even say that you feel guilty because when you say that, you're you're hoping that people aren't thinking that you're thinking less

of other people. It's hard to also say that you feel guilty, but I do think that when I was in the thick of it and I saw my friends and family having babies and they would like, like really talk up motherhood, it also gave me hope in that time to see. I mean, I look at babies now after ten miscarriages, and I'm like, you're like, the fact that you're here is a straight miracle. It's just a plain miracle. And I look at babies totally different now. So I'm glad that they shared how amazing it was,

so you know what I mean. I mean, it hurts sometimes you're like I want that so bad, But at the same time, it gave me hope, and so I hope that maybe when we're sharing the happy things, it's

giving someone else hope as well. So there there is a fine line there, And I think, um, just knowing that it's on your heart that there is this like guilt and you're thinking of other people means that I don't think it's coming across that way if that makes And I think as being a four, like you said, you feel everything like when I want when I meet

someone I like, and I know you get this. It's not like we're mine readers whatever, but like, I immediately know so much about a person just from being in their presence, like I and they give me five minutes of a conversation with them, and we're like, I got this. I know what's happening here emotionally on some level. Yeah. I think because of that, I immediately tap into the pain of people I don't know and do you Like, I can immediately see the pain that everyone feels like

and every person has a different story. So I immediately like, I don't walk in and think everyone is fine, Like some people are like you know, they walk around and I think everyone's just fine. I don't. I think everyone is suffering. I literally walk around and I think everyone

is suffering and everyone has a story. And so like when I meet someone, I'm like looking for their suffering points so I can try to help with it, like to talk to them, because I don't want to walk in and be like, oh, life is great, because I'm like, where is the pain that where's the spot that's painful

for you? Because like life might be hard for you, and I don't want to just like at this moment, I don't want to just like come in with like confetti in your face when you're like struggling with something, so like, I find that struggle immediately with everyone, and so I feel like that's why I have a hard time trying to shine, because it's like, but everyone has

a struggle. But then also everyone else shines. Everyone shines in the room way too, so it's like it's so and it's so after well, no, and I do think I'm I think we need those people that don't see it and don't feel it so they can be the hype men. They can come in and make people forget and ignore and all that, and then unfortunately, I think the world needs people like us as well that are like, let's talk about it, like you're heard, you're scene, and

let's talk about it. But I find that all of my best friends are sevens and they're like, they don't they don't see anything going on in the room. They're just like, what, it's it's fine, it's a party, it's great. And I think that's needed to And I'm probably best friends with sevens because they are relentless at trying to get you out of the house and you finally leave your house and do something with them. So it is funny.

I do think all of it's needed, and you're not bad if you can't see it or don't want to talk to people about it. Um, I just think it's all needed, and so thank goodness that we're not all the same. Like if you and I were married to each other, we would just be crying all the time. Everything we would just it would just all be tears. And do you hate me? And why did you say that? Like that? And I feel like this, I'm married to the seven and I think that is very intentional because

he always chooses Sevens for anyone who hasn't. On the Instagram, they're like joy seekers. They always are trying to find the adventure. They always there last half fool. They're always like, let's go do something exciting, let's live life. And they don't get lost in like the sad depression of it all, even though they have a lot of times Sevens have a lot of pain themselves, they just are like, Nope, we're gonna enjoy life. We're gonna be happy, We're gonna

live it. A little envious of seven sometimes a little envious. I probably would not have to go to therapy. Maybe I don't know. I don't know, but it's um, it's definitely. Yeah, I bet it's really interesting being married to a seven I find my seven friends very exhausting and I'm glad that I can go home at the end of the day and you know what I mean, So, oh yeah, no, my husband wears me out. But but because I am that extrovert too, oh yeah, that's I can hang with it.

But like he he goes and goes and goes and goes and goes. And I'm literally like I wasn't married to you, I would not be I would be less social. God knew what you needed. You needed that, and that's awesome. That's really cool. So what was your first big project? So when you first poured into this, was it? You're it was start with antiquing. Is that where it started? Yeah? Really, honestly,

just kind of a flipping furniture. I don't know if you remember, like two thousand and eight, two thousand nine, there was like this whole like let's paint a piece of furniture and d I y. I think that was just on the up and up and all these shows about it. It was definitely like flipping furniture and um selling it. That was one of my first things I was in college for Into Your Design. I was working kind of at a lighting store, like helping with builders

pick out lighting. So I mean I was, you know, like trying in the world. I was very young and so um that's when I started the blog, and then the blog kind of took off, and that's where all of these opportunities have come from, is the blog and now social media. So social media was really not a thing when I started blogging. There was no Instagram or anything like that. So it's really interesting in this world now.

I still think of myself just as a blogger who happens to have an Instagram, And so when someone says like, oh, you're an influencer, I'm like, oh no, man, I'm a blogger. You know. But like you know, some people say blogs are dead, but I think they're coming back. I think they're um with I think social media being so saturated, I think it is really nice to kind of escape to a website where you can see all of this

person's work and not be distracted. Um. So yeah, that's just the point I'm gonna roll with and keep going with because I do enjoy having my own corner of the internet, um. Rather, and I do enjoy social media because that's where you connect with everybody, with your readers of the blog and things like that. That's where you chat. UM. But I do really in joy blogging and that's a passion of mine. Still. So how did your blog take off? I think just you know, Pinterest and people finding you.

I do think it was very helpful to start early because there wasn't just millions of blogs out there to sift through. Um. I don't think by any means it was like all my words or work is outstanding, it needs to be in a museum. I just think I was an early adapter and um, you know, maybe people found it relatable. I I I'm not a perfectionist, um in some aspects, I guess. So it's my work isn't just out here, you know what I mean? I just I think that people can relate to it. I hope

at least. How often do you like to blog and what do you like to blog about the most? Like when you're blogging, what is how do what does it? How did it come out of you? Like? How do you know when it's time to blog. Yeah, so you know it started as kind of just like blogging. You know, whenever I do probably put up one blog post if out more a day, um like five days a week

on Lisberry blog dot com. Um. And it's now we're doing I I do have help now, um My husband helps with a lot of it, and I do have an employee, m Taylor, who helps with a lot of it. So I am able to do more because they're helping with um like the logistics of it and helping me put these blog posts together. I wouldn't be able to do that many um on my own, especially mommy and things like that. So one day I thought you were

gonna stay like two months, one a day. So we're doing like a lot of gift guides and a lot of um. You know, we're showing different areas of our house, especially now like we're kind of technically in the blogging world probably very behind showing like our house for Christmas, so we're showing one space at a time or like this year's Coco bar. We're just sharing these little um. Not every blog post is like super extravagant, like oh I readid our whole bathroom renovation today, you know what

I mean. It's it's just you know, little bits of our life every day here. And like I said in two, I hope that, um we're able to We have a lot of like demo and stuff we want to do it to our house and to get it where we want it. So I think it's just going to be a more exciting year, um, rather than a lot of like decorating, it will be like a lot of renovating. So do you so you share so much of your life, Like you share your house, you share your family, you

share all your passions, you shared your journey. Do you ever struggle with sharing so much and like being scared that like every like people know so much about you? Because like I struggle with that, like and I like with the whole social media thing, Like I oftentimes I'm like, God, I just need to like commit to it and go all in and share my life fully. But then I have like all this anxiety about like sharing, Like how do you walk that line of sharing your life and

like having boundaries with it? Because I feel like it's it is hard when you are like a figure like you are and like you're it all is so intertwined your your work and your life. Yeah, and I think you just said it. I think it's everyone's personal boundaries and sticking to it. Um. You know, people will ask questions, very personal questions, especially when you're sharing a personal topic

like infertility and miscarriage adoption. People ask the most wild things and just knowing like you don't have to answer it. Um And I get that question a lot, like when I run into readers like out in public. Um, They'll say, is it weird that I know you and you don't know me? And it's not because I've chosen what to share with you, Like you don't you see five seconds

of my day? And sometimes it bothers me as of four probably that people think they know your life off of five seconds, Like they'll see me like quick redoing Cope's room, but they don't know like that day that I had a terrible meeting with the publisher, cried, worked at my store, because they don't see any of that, and so it's like, Wow, they just think I'm like

living this like fairytale life and that bothers me. But at the same time, you have to set those boundaries and know that anyone will interpret your life how they want to and being okay with that, and that was a hard thing as before I think probably to let go because I want you to know the struggle in the deep parts of it, but you're just not going

to know any of that. So you know that I decorated my son's room today, um, and that I made some banana bread, you know what I mean, But like there was so much more, you know what I mean. And I think just setting those boundaries. Um. I did make a decision I think probably last year, um to share less personal as far as like cope and things like that, just because you know, I'll share a little glimpses here and there. Um. But I did make that decision as he was like getting older, to share less

of him. UM. So just setting your own boundaries, that's where my struggle has really come in with Sonny, my daughter. I feel I just don't. I don't have a steady feeling about it. And I have so many amazing, incredible friends who are completely comfortable sharing every journey of their child, every step of their child's life, and I just like,

I don't. I don't know what to do with that because sometimes I'm like sharing sunny and sometimes I'm like, oh, I don't ever want to share a sunny again, you know. I just like I don't know how to like create that boundary because social media is still so new, we have no idea like how this is going to affect the younger kids. And then like this is where my crazy head comes in. I worry like what if some

like psycho person gets obsessed with her or something? And then I don't you know, I just like I don't even put that in the world, but I just and then like anything can happen at any time, and you can't like I just like then I just live in chaos in my head about it now. And I think, like this is a moment where you go, oh, like, if I'm having these feelings, it's it's I shouldn't do it because you also don't want to live with guilt

or regret. And definitely for me, Ebbs and Flows that there will be six months where you don't even see a glimpse of a glimpse of him, like does a child live in that house? And you know what I mean, Like and then it's like, oh, like I am really passionate right now of taking little lifestyle shots of my family in the house that are very natural. It will be like three months of like, that's my passion, and then you don't see him, you know what I mean.

So it's like it's definitely like what you're comfortable in the moment and giving yourself grace and not comparing your decision to someone else's or your journey to someone else's, or being like, oh, if I wanna grow my account, I need to like share something personal. You know. It's just it's not doing that because it never works, and it's everyone has like their different journey. And I wanted to say you said earlier like growing up not feeling special.

It's I look at you and what you do, and I'm like, you are so special and you're just like this like bright light and knowing that your light is different than someone else's and the way you share and how you help people is what makes you special. So I think that's cool. And I also want to say your journey and like trying what you wanted when you were a kid and like realizing maybe that's not what you wanted, but you still did it and that's so cool and inspiring, I'm sure to so many people. So

I wanted to say that as well. I appreciate if the words of information, So thank you so much that really I love the words. I feel all that you and I often think too. Like I had mentioned, I went to school for intier design and I tried to do design work for other people and quickly realized that wasn't for me. I felt very discouraged and I felt very um it wasn't good for me mentally, and so

I was like, wait, I went to design school. You're supposed to do design work for other people, and realizing that you tried it, it wasn't for you, but you can use those passions in a different way, and that's what you've done, and that's kind of what I've done too. It's like, oh, I'm using my degree in a different way and helping people in a different way. So I hope that people realize that and that inspires them that they don't have to follow someone else's journey or you're

where you originally started. I love that too, and I could not echo you more by saying like for me, and people are like because sometimes people asking, well a lot of times like how do you start a podcast? And I'm literally like I don't know, Like I don't know. I literally just fell into it because I was just in this journey of following my curiosity. And I think that like that's how you are too. It's like I

don't know how I ended up. I don't even know what my job is, to be quite honest with you, like I don't even know how I ended up here with all the like twists and turns that I've gone on. And I'm sure you feel the same way. But it's like I always just kept following my passion and like I felt the same way too. I always felt stifled. I do not like having someone tell me how to

live my life and what to do. And you said with your designer, like I do not like I I can like hop on a team and be a team player for something that that's not my true true passion. But like if it's like in my soul, like I don't want you to like tell me how I'm supposed to do it, even though I don't really know how

I'm trying to do it. I just know that I want to do it my way, you know, And like I've just always followed my curiosity and let that lead me, even though it's let me down some massive like moments of like sheer depression and feeling yes and like life crashing down. But it's like it always there's always something that comes from it, and so you just kind of have to like keep following that passion, right yep. And I'm glad that you said that because I see that

in myself too. It's following your own journey and making your own mistakes, learning things the hard way, but also landing somewhere really good. And I know everyone listening and me, we're really glad you landed here, um, because you're really good at it. And and it's it's just cool to um know that you did that on your own, without

you jumped into it not knowing what you're doing. And I think I hope that inspires people to like I just opened a store and I had no idea what I was doing, and people ask, how do you start a store? It's like, I just did it, and looking back, that's really scary to think about that someone just let me open a store. But it's like, if it's your true passion, just do it and take a leap of faith, you know, And if it's not your true passion, then you probably won't do it for long. And the doors

will shut and it will be hard. Like and not that it's not hard work, because everything is hard work, but do you feel that as you've done all these different endeavors from like starting with your blog to writing your incredible books, to opening your store to having I'm sorry, what is that? It's not a festival, it's a market. It's the thing market. Yeah, like a like an antique market. Yeah, the ten thousand people antique market. Like how could you

ever dream of doing that? But like it was probably just on your heart. It's what you love to do, and so these opportunities flowed into your life. And I feel like looking at you, like when I was like stalking your Instagram and learning about you fool heartedly even though like I've always done who you are, but like really like taking you in from the interview, I was like, God, how does she do all this stuff? Like how has

she done all of this stuff? Like this is and it's also well done and it's also beautiful, And like looking at you before I had this conversation like you're very intimidating because it's like, wow, how how have you created all this? Have you done all this? But when you hear your story, you have let your passion lead You have like jumped in when you're in like your darkest moments, You've thrown yourself into your passion and like God has opened these doors for you and you've just

gone through them and your life has manifested. But it's probably something you could have never dreamed up. No, never, and I think that you probably feel the same. And and looking to knowing that someone was ever intimidated by me, I don't think anyone's ever said that, but that is the most wild thing. But I feel really cool for this moment it But now knowing that I am a four, like, I'm sure that explains a lot to you now looking

at it. You can look at those photos and be like, I know, there was like probably tears in between this and this, and she probably had a breakdown here, and like knowing that, and I'm also glad you said that too, because I mean, social media is just one big highlight reel and if you're in a bad space, and it's it's not necessarily bad that it's a highlight reel, but

it's how you are mentally scrolling. Because when you have a bad day and you're like uh, and you're so annoyed with everybody and you're feeling less than that's assigned a log off because it's also not anyone's responsibility to share in the moment, like I'm having a miscarriage today, Like they don't know that to anyone, like you don't

and you're not less real by sharing it. I have a lot of people saying you're so real for sharing that, and I'm like, but my sister next to me that's having one that doesn't share, that doesn't make her less real for sharing that. And I don't need to share my dirty laundry room every day for you to know there's a dirty laundry room. I only have five minutes a day to share online, so it's probably gonna be

what I'm passionate about and what I'm working on. Once in a while, you'll see glimpses of a messy house because it's there. I'm a real person, but it's it's my place to share my passions and my work, and so I hope when you're scrolling, it's knowing that this is a highlight reel and that you're a normal person and uh we are as well, and don't be intimidated by anyone because they're normal people. I could talk to

you forever. I love everything about you. I just have a few more questions and I know you have a lot of other things to do today. How do you I want to talk to you about boundaries really quickly, like boundaries of social media? Like how did you come up with your boundaries of social media? Because I feel like I am in that phase right now where I'm like, I've got to create boundaries. I've got to create a system for social media for sharing, and I need to

create boundaries so I'm not just engulfed by it. Because if you just like log onto social media with no real plan for social media, it can swallow you whole. So, like, how do you navigate that? Because it is a big part of your life, like from your blog to your website to Instagram which now is like its own wild fire. Yeah, like, how how do you create healthy boundaries with it where you do use it productively and share your passions, but you don't like let it overrun your life? I think, um,

with anything, I also jumped into all of this. There are people that jump in with strategies and they know beforehand that will never be MEA never plan anything I am, yeah, No, nothing is planned. I mean even designs. It's like fly by the seat of my pants and everything in life. And so with that, if you're going to approach it that way, you will learn the hard way. And I have learned the hard way. There's certain topics I now know that I will never talk about again, um as

specifically like on a health journey this year. UM, I realized I could never be like a fitness influencer or someone that talks about like bodies in general, because when I started to go to the gym and eat right and lose weight, that's all anybody would focus on. And I quickly realized that put me in a very bad place. And so I was like, I'm never talking about my body or where did I put you? Where did it put you? In your mind? It put me like that

was my worth? Um? Who was I before? Um? It definitely was like, wait, like I I did this to be a better mom. I realized, you know, I gained a lot of weight and I was from depression and all that, and I was like, wait, how did you view me before? And I became obsessed with how people viewed me before and where was this my worth now? Or like is my other work not as important because that's all you want to talk about. It put me in that in that place, and I quickly was like,

I'm ever touching on that topic again. Um, I do you know? When people ask I, I will briefly say, um, you know, that's part of my health journey is eating right, um and exercising. So I will say like brief little things like that, because you do want to help people maybe that are on the same journey and wondering how how did you get here? And I will say to another thing I'll say is you have to reach a point yourself. No one will make you make those health changes.

It's it's definitely like I had to reach my lowest low and then I was motivated, you know, so I will share things like that. But I quickly learned um and insane. With becoming a mom um, I had to learn the hard way of oh I this is my boundary. Like I don't share really any I'll share like a funny moment here and there, like once a month or something funny he says, or a cute photo, but nothing more.

You know what I mean, it's just you. I had to learn the hard way about the boundaries and again with even taking on jobs or UM, I learned the hard way this year a lot of being overwhelmed and UM having an emotional breakdown. It's like, oh, I can't do that anymore. I can't take on six jobs at a time or you know what I mean. So everything has been the hard way UM for me. UM, But

I am thankful for that. I'm thankful for boundaries. Have you learned through all of this to really trust your like gut and you're like, obviously you're a feeler your form and we po this this whole podcast, but like, what does it feel like when it starts coming on? We're like, oh, okay, that's the boundary. I'm not doing that. Like how do you feel if I question anything and

and wonder like should I do that? It's an automatic no now if there's any whereas before it was definitely like, oh it could be good and then I would just do it. I wouldn't people about it. I'd regret it. Yeah, And I did learn um from of my really good friends this year, UM about instincts. UM. She lost her son this year and I'll never forget this day. And it's kind of a side topic, but it has to do with gut feelings and instincts. She was at my house the day that her son passed, and he's grown,

he was forty, um. But the entire day she never talks about him, never asks about him. Never in the entire day, she was like, have you seen his car? Have you this? And this? And then that that night we found out and we talked about it all the time now and I'm like, it is a real thing. She never before has done this before, and the way she acted and she knew and it's like, wow, we know.

But it sounds crazy when you say it. But when you go through something like that, you see one of your best friends do that, you realize it's a real thing, your gut instinct, however you want to describe it. You know earlier we're talking about a calling, however you want to call it. Those feelings are real and we should

listen to them. I so agree, And I feel like if that is I know that now from all the trial and era of life, and it's like I just try to always remind myself just flow with it, listen, even like with like business opportunities. Sometimes I've stressed out and I'm like what do I need to do to

create more to like grow this? But I'm like, even hearing your story, like all of your things that have blessed your life have flowed into your life at the time they were supposed to flow because you were on your path, following your passion, pouring yourself into it, and it was like the timing was right, the situation, it was divine how things were supposed to happen, And like, I just I think that is so important for people

to remember. And I'm telling this to myself to like there is a bigger force field, energy field, powerful spiritual field working for our favor at all times. And yes, there's also the opposite there too, but like, if we can just stay and flow with our soul and our instincts, that is really the road map, don't you feel? Yeah? And I will say too, because we're human that because I have had that happen so much and I talked about it with like the miscarriages and all of these things.

I still doubt, I still question, and I'm because we're human. I don't think that we're ever going to stop doing that, but I do think maybe we're more in tune with those things Um, I do think that you're constantly going to ask you made the right decision or wonder if you should do something. It's never going to be perfect and clear and again like a burning bush outside. But I do think that you could listen to yourself and not think that something is um and not trust ourselves.

I guess I don't know how to put it, but sometimes we can think it's fake or cheesy and I hate that word, but you know, listen to your heart, listen to your gut. Um, it's I think all of those things happen for a reason. So do you get like a sick feeling in your gut when it's the wrong thing to do? Completely, And my thing is going back to what you said being a people pleaser. I never got to reiterate how much of a people pleaser

that I am. Um to an absolute fault that when you get these sick feelings, sometimes it's really hard to speak up, especially when it has to do with work or business, and it's very uncomfortable. But this year was the year of Liz Marie learning to speak up, and um, I learned the hard way. I mean, terrible things happened with my business and my job this year because I didn't speak up because it was uncomfortable and now I'm paying. I'm paying for it, you know, and I'm like, why

didn't I say anything? I'm so mad at her, And again learned the hard way, like you have to make things uncomfortable sometimes, um, and nippit in the butt because you know, yes as soon as you know, you have to just yes yea. And it's so hard, but it's actually so much easier than letting it all just be and saying it's all gonna be fine when you know you know, you know, And and I let that go this year, and I promised myself never again make it uncomfortable. Um,

you might fumble over your words. I am not good with my words, with speaking, I'm actually terrible, and so you might fumble. Um. I might have had tears in a meeting the other day. Um, and it was you know, with some like hiring it out. I got it out and and I can be proud of myself now and I learned my lessons. So if any people pleasers out there speak up, don't regret it later. I love that, Liz, and just know that it's like intense in the moment and it feels terrifying, but like it will save you

so much in the long run. I love that. That is such a good piece of advice. Okay, I'm gonna wrap up with just a couple more questions. Do have you do? What is your why? Because I feel like that's like my big journey is just like right now, is to be like what is my why? Like I need to like be and I know my why, but like just be so clear about why am I doing what I'm doing? What is your why? I and I know we've said this word a lot, but my I

have a lot of wise. I guess my I'm not going to call it selfish, but a personal one is because I know this is what I'm meant to be doing and it is my passion. It may have been flow and it may look different year to year, but I am supposed to be doing what I'm doing no matter what anyone says. Um. And again, I want to make my son and my husband proud of me. And so even on my days where I don't want to get out of bed, um, you know, with those struggles, Um, I I do. And I haven't said this yet, but

I don't. I know it's a fourthing being emotional, but I also have a lot of struggles with anxiety and depression. And so there are days, especially I'm in Michigan right now and it's currently the grayest, snowiest day. I'm like, looking at all these windows. It may look right right now, but it's it's it's a gloomy day. And there's days where I don't want to get out of bed. But I want to make myself proud, and I want to make my son and my husband proud. Um and I

those are my wives. And so it's passion And also another why is every day getting a comment or a message saying you helped me with this in my wildest dreams if we didn't have We talked about social media sometimes like it's a bad thing, but it keeps a lot of creatives going because I don't know what I do. I'm like, oh, this is dumb, like whatever, everyone knows how to do this earlier. He knows how to do this exactly, but we wouldn't hear that. And so sometimes

social media is terrible and people say awful things. But when you get those comments that are like you help me do this, You're like, that's my why, Like I'm helping someone. It may seem silly to me, and it's so natural to me that I'm like, oh, why am I sharing this? Everyone knows but you're helping someone, and so that's that's really cool. Well and I love that too. That made me think of this quote. I think, like Jennifer Anderson said it a long time ago, there's something

going on in the world. It was a while ago, and she's like, nobody the friends, Like why are we doing? Friends? Like this is like a comedy, Like the world so serious, But then it's like, oh, because people need to laugh, Like that's important. And it's like when you say that, like everyone knows this, but like I don't know this, and like, but you giving me these tips, you are relieving so much stress from me because I want a cozy home. I want to figure out how to do this,

but like I have no idea where to start. So the fact that you are sharing information making it like bite size where I can digest it and understand it and then elevate my life because now, all of a sudden, I'm living in a home that makes me feel cozy, which your environment totally changes your mood. And once you're in a good mood, then you want to be a

better person. And so it's like all of this is so important for people's well being, and it's like, this is your contribution to the world, this is your passion, this is your talent, and you're taking the time to share it. It's it is like being cozy is a huge deal. Like that brings people peace and happiness, and it's your home where you are. So you offering ways to make your home a cozy sanctuary. That is so helpful for people who don't know how to do that naturally,

which to me and most of the world. So I think that is incredible, it is that's amazing. Thank you, And that's a good point to like Oftentimes we think of like when we say, oh, this space is cozy, we're saying, like, I like the decor, But having a cozy home is so much deeper than that. It's having a nurturing environment for you and your family and creating memories with your children and nurturing your own personal health.

A cozy home is not the decor. It is the feeling um being welcoming and really just creating that environment um. And it looks different to everyone how your home functions is cozy? How is it serving you? How is each room serving a purpose and really making your life better? So it's not just the decor again, it's your five senses and how they're reacting to each space. And so I hope that that's what people get from it. Well, I love it, and I can say this from the

bottom of my heart. Cozy White Cottage Seasons a hundred ways to because all year long, Like I cannot recommend this book enough for everyone to get it is such a great book. It is so informative, It is so easy to read and understand. And the people who are like myself, who are not good at d I Y or anything like this at all, it actually makes you feel like you can do it, which is great. And I think that it is such an incredible contribution. So thank you for writing this, Thank you for all that

you do. Thank you for sharing your story with me. Liz. Like I am, I was already like blown away by you. Like I said, I was so intimidated about you because you're just so powerful with everything that you've put out into the world. But like hearing your soul and like getting to have this conversation, you are just such a real soulful, incredible human and it is like so inspiring of someone like you who has just used your life experiences to turn them into beauty, to make the world

a more beautiful, cozy place. And so thank you for blessing us with all of that. Well, thank you for having me and for this conversation. UM, I know it's helped me, and so I hope it helps others out there. This was a beautiful conversation. I love where it went, So thank you, thank you. Okay, I always wrap up with one question, which is super open ended, just whatever comes to mind, leave your light. What do you want

people to know? That is such a good question. I guess you know, if we're going on what we talked about today as far as UM creating a cozy home and UM creating a cozy life, I just hope that UM, everyone out there knows that your individual path means a lot to people and staying on that path, staying true to yourself and UM living a life taking leaps of faith. UM can do really biging. So keep that hope and faith alive, and UM, you can do big things in

this world. So yeah, I needed to hear that probably today too. So, I yeah, we often I think with social media we're looking at other people's journeys and thinking that ours needs to look identical, and um, that's just not the truth. And I think that we all need to adjust our brains and know that we all have individual paths and individual gifts and to hone in on them is really special and important. So you're amazing, List, amazing, Thank you so much for joining me today. You're actually

going to be my last podcast of this year. Oh wow, it's an honor. Thank you. Thank you for wrapping up to the perfect conversation to end one. Thank you so much for this inspiration and for sharing your soul with me. I appreciate it. I am such a fan and now like your soul. Your a piece of my soul. I love your story. Thank you so much for joining me, List and have a great day and great holiday. Thank you you too. Okay, all right, byem