Reflections from Heartbeat's Harbor

September 2025 - What Are We Modeling? What Are We Keeping? Getting Intentional with Digital Clutter

In this episode, Bri explores presence in motherhood. What moments are we missing behind the screen? What messages are we unconsciously sending to our children with every scroll, captured moment, and half-distracted yes? This isn’t a self shaming episode, it’s about focus and a returning to intention and presence in our lives. Returning to the primal knowing that we are the rhythm keepers of our homes. That how we use our screens matters, not just for our own productivity or peace, but for the small watching eyes who learn how to relate, and how to be, just by watching how we show up. Through a mix of spiritual guidance, deep truths, and simple digital decluttering practices, Bri invites you into a gentler relationship with technology. One that prioritizes attunement over addiction, meaning over metrics, and memory over perfection. This is your gentle nudge that you’re allowed to let go. You’re allowed to begin again. And your children don’t need a perfect mother, just one who is here. This month Bri also covers the topics we will touch on this month in the Simplified Year Rhythm posts, and dives into what content you’re consuming, to round it all off. This month, we’re focused on Digital Clutter. We’re clearing out all the files, attachments, photos and apps that are slowing us down, slowing down our devices and holding us back, as well as costing us money. Septembers Rhythm Posts: You can start wherever you need to, or follow these in order. Each month we have a ‘Focus Post’; an overview of the month: September’s Focus - Digital Clutter [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/september-focus-digital-clutter?r=35lz4c] Then there are four weekly/part breakdowns of that monthly focus, which include why for the focus, some mindset shifts, habits to build that change everything, stories as medicine from my own journey, as well as the steps to take - i.e. what to declutter! September Part/Week One - Digital Storage You Pay For [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/september-part-1-digital-storage?r=35lz4c] September Part/Week Two - Hard Drive Folders and Phone Apps [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/september-part-1-digital-storage?r=35lz4c] September Part/Week Three - Digital Photos [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/september-part-3-digital-photos?r=35lz4c] September Part/Week Four - Catch up week [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/september-part-4-catch-up-week?r=35lz4c] To round it out and so you aren’t alone on your journey, share your wins and your struggles in our private community chat threads for each monthly focus: September’s private chat thread [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/publish/chat/post/c6d9e86b-27ef-4aad-90d5-e85448fb1d69] Remember, whether you’re doing this in rhythm with us, or whether you hopped in at this point because something just recently (or not so recently) stopped functioning the way you need it to, and it was your ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ - you are right where you need to be! X Bri P.S. Let me know how this monthly episode landed in the comments, and don’t forget to give me some love and click that heart and/or share so I can help more people like you to simplify their lives! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brihosack.substack.com/subscribe [https://brihosack.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brihosack.substack.com/subscribe [https://brihosack.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

August 2025 - Shame, Avoidance, and the Sacred Work of Looking at the Numbers

Photo by micheile henderson [https://unsplash.com/@micheile?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash] on Unsplash [https://unsplash.com/photos/green-plant-in-clear-glass-vase-ZVprbBmT8QA?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash] In times of recession, hardship, etc. it is even more important than usual to look and know where you stand, financially. Trust me, I know… because I avoided it for years too. Whether you’re feeling the world economy right now in your wallet and accounts or not, a yearly reset of your finances is just plain smart! This month inside The Simplified Year, we’re diving into the deeply charged waters of money: finances, subscriptions, expenses, and especially the patterns we carry around them. In this short but powerful episode, I crack open the shame so many women carry when it comes to money management, overspending, and avoidance… and reframe financial clarity as a sacred act of self-trust and sovereignty. With a blend of practical guidance and soulful perspective, this is your gentle but firm nudge to stop flinching at your numbers—and start facing them with compassion, presence, and clarity. You don’t have to do it all at once. But you do have to start. Breathe deep, press play, and take it one sacred step forward at a time. August Rhythm Posts: You can start wherever you need to, or follow these in order. Each month we have a ‘Focus Post’; an overview of the month: August Focus - Money Month! (Finances, Subscriptions & Expenses) [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/august-focus-money-month-finances?r=35lz4c] Then there are four weekly/part breakdowns of that monthly focus, which include why for the focus, some mindset shifts, habits to build that change everything, stories as medicine from my own journey, as well as the steps to take - i.e. what to declutter! August Part/Week One - Subscriptions [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/august-part-1-subscriptions?r=35lz4c] August Part/Week Two - Expenses [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/august-part-2-expenses?r=35lz4c] August Part/Week Three - Money-Related Paperwork [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/august-part-3-money-related-paperwork?r=35lz4c] August Part/Week Four - Financial Simplicity [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/august-part-4-financial-simplicity?r=35lz4c] To round it out and so you aren’t alone on your journey, share your wins and your struggles in our private community chat threads for each monthly focus: August’s private chat thread [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/publish/chat/post/c24e9660-cc92-4c97-8160-00b55f7f92d5] Remember, whether you’re doing this in rhythm with us, or whether you hopped in at this point because something just recently (or not so recently) stopped functioning the way you need it to, and it was your ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ - you are right where you need to be! X Bri P.S. Let me know how this monthly episode landed in the comments, and don’t forget to give me some love and click that heart and/or share so I can help more people like you to simplify their lives! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brihosack.substack.com/subscribe [https://brihosack.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brihosack.substack.com/subscribe [https://brihosack.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

July 2025 - When You’d Rather Be at the Beach: Kitchen Energy, Summer Temptation & Sacred Simplicity

Let’s be real.You [http://real.You] do not want to be inside right now. You don’t want to be in your kitchen with the warped lids, missing pieces, sticky, overflowing drawers and snack time chaos. You want sunshine. You want barefoot in the grass, dripping popsicles, and a cold drink on the deck. And I don’t blame you one bit. My kitchen doesn’t even have windows so that I can see the sunshine while I’m in it. But here’s the thing… if you spend over 400 hours a year in this room (statistically, you do), it had better work with you, not against you. In this month’s episode, I’m giving you: * a perspective shift on kitchen energy when you want to run away from it * the spiritual role of the summer season and the energetic intentions you have complete control over to transform your kitchen experience * more freedom, time, peace, and ease. You don’t have to love being in the kitchen right now. You just need it not to drain you like it has been. 🎧 Hit play. I’m here this month, gently (but firmly) reminding you why it matters. Come listen. Paid subscribers get full access to the entire Simplified Year Rhythm archives, as well as all podcast episodes.Your freedom isn’t on the other side of a vacation (that only brings temporary relief).It’s right here, in the ordinary, overheated room where you feed your people, and yourself. This month, we’re focused on the kitchen. We’re saving you hours, heartache, headaches; and helping you make healthier choices, every day. July Rhythm Posts: You can start wherever you need to, or follow these in order. Each month we have a ‘Focus Post’; an overview of the month: July’s focus post - Kitchen [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/july-focus-kitchen?r=35lz4c] Then there are four weekly/part breakdowns of that monthly focus, which include why for the focus, some mindset shifts, habits to build that change everything, stories as medicine from my own journey, as well as the steps to take - i.e. what to declutter! July Part/Week One - Tupperware/Kids’ dishes if applicable (&/or plastic stuff & utensils) [https://open.substack.com/pub/hersimplifiedheartbeat/p/july-part-1-tupperwarekids-dishes?r=35lz4c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] July Part/Week Two - Pots, pans, baking trays, mixing bowls [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/july-part-2-pots-and-pans?r=35lz4c] July Part/Week Three - Glasses, mugs, plates, everyday dishware [https://open.substack.com/pub/hersimplifiedheartbeat/p/july-part-3-glassware-and-everyday?r=35lz4c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] July Part/Week Four - Pantry, fridge, freezer reset & ‘the randoms’ (junk drawers, extras, backups) [https://open.substack.com/pub/hersimplifiedheartbeat/p/july-part-4-refreshreset-of-food?r=35lz4c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] To round it out and so you aren’t alone on your journey, share your wins and your struggles in our private community chat threads for each monthly focus: July’s private chat thread [https://substack.com/chat/4787051/post/5147e4b6-4fe4-4fb1-b26e-782965fdad86] Remember, whether you’re doing this in rhythm with us, or whether you hopped in at this point because something just recently (or not so recently) stopped functioning the way you need it to, and it was your ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ - you are right where you need to be! X Bri P.S. Let me know how this monthly episode landed in the comments, and don’t forget to give me some love and click that heart and/or share so I can help more people like you to simplify their lives! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brihosack.substack.com/subscribe [https://brihosack.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brihosack.substack.com/subscribe [https://brihosack.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Summer Vibes and Freedom - Decluttering with Nature’s Rhythm

Welcome back to The Simplified Year, where we weave intentional living, seasonal flow, and grounded, sacred simplifying into the rhythm of your everyday life. This is the summer quarterly episode! It’s time to invite lightness, movement, and expansion… making it the perfect season to clear out anything heavy, stagnant, or no longer aligned so you can breathe easier and live more freely. The Simplified Year is a reader-supported publication. To receive the monthly episodes and access the rhythm posts, consider becoming a paid subscriber. Let's talk about why it’s so difficult to focus on decluttering in the summer. We are meant to be more outward focused, interactive and therefore, simply busier, in the summer months, in the same way that we are meant to be more introverted and restful in the winter. We are often running from event to event, out of the house a lot, not worried about a decluttering rhythm or even about picking up the mess of the day before we crash into bed. We have less time to focus on decluttering, but also our focus is elsewhere a lot of the time that is available. I tried to pick focuses over the summer months that would help but not take too much time or even require physical effort from you at all. Here's how the rhythm flows... In July, we are working in the Kitchen. We will streamline your efforts in one of the rooms you use the most, and make tidying it up at the end of the day easier. Plus, I’ll share tips that will help you declutter while you’re already in there, instead of having to set aside designated time to work on it. In August, we cover Money! Everyone is always so excited about “money month” in any program. Whether it’s manifestation, meditations, business building, or decluttering - people want it. Who doesn’t want to improve their financial circumstances?! This month, we will cover finances, subscriptions, and expenses - decluttering what’s unnecessary, and leaving you with more money for all the fun activities you want to do! In September, we take a peek at your digital clutter. It’s not just the stuff on your counters and in your closets that’s cluttering up your mind! Your digital files, photos, and folders are adding so much more than you know to your overwhelm. We’ll tackle it in manageable layers, creating new habits to incorporate into your simplified year rhythm as we go. Remember, with each season comes a new set of challenges. You are a part of nature. You move in cycles. Yes, it’s summer, and you are ready to party and play! But you'll hit quieter moments, or rainy days, and you get to choose to make your life easier in those smaller moments, while enjoying the summer freedom too. So, some final reminders in every quarter… You are always able to start at any part of the simplified year rhythm based on your needs and what's going on for you in your life. But if you're following along with the main crew, these focuses will help you have the funds, focus, and energy for all the fun you want to have, all summer long. If you're following along with the rhythm of the simplified year, then you're not just decluttering your home. You're attuning your life to a deeper, wilder pace, a truer, more natural rhythm. And if you're just jumping in, that's beautiful too. You're right on time for you. That deeper pace and rhythm might be for the next round in your journey. This rhythm is not linear. It's a spiral. You can start anywhere and still arrive exactly where you need to be. Your Invitation this Summer: Let this be a season of fun. Let this be a season of overflowing abundance. Let this be a season where your life and home feel more free because you chose to make space. The Simplified Year’s full archive of yearly rhythm posts and podcast episodes are included in our paid subscription. Sending you love, simplicity & peace, Bri This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/subscribe [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brihosack.substack.com/subscribe [https://brihosack.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brihosack.substack.com/subscribe [https://brihosack.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

June 2025 - Incoming Summer Schedules & The End of the School Year Sh*tshow

When do your kids get out of school? Mine are done at the end of June and over here…? In-san-i-ty. I fell out of one of my good habits and didn’t immediately enter all the events and reminders into my digital calendar, and they piled up… …and up… …and up… …Until it took me a solid three hours to enter them all one day when I finally said ‘enough!’ to feeling lost and confused about who should be where, when, on any given day of the week. Not to mention incorporating a new schedule of recurring therapist appointments for three of us in the household, and trying to get my ex to manage some of the mental load - namely the dreaded dual birthday party for my two youngest! If you haven’t started decluttering your mental load with digital calendars and the word ‘NO’, this is the perfect time to start. Saying no to the things that don’t have to be on my plate is something I have worked hard on over the years. Sharing birthday party planning is one result. Not volunteering constantly is another. I know the kids love it when their mom comes to school and they get to feel special with the class in these early grades, so I sprinkle it in all year long and try to fit one event for each kid in, in the last month of the school year. The teachers make every day special at the end of the school year. I appreciate these efforts, I really do. I think it’s great, the kids have a blast, AND… it stresses me the hell out. If you have ever felt this way, or are right now, I have four tips for you. (If you’re already past the end of your school year maybe you can remember these for next time.) 4 Tips to Manage the End-of-the-School-Year Chaos: * Say no. Say it as often as you can! The best thing for your simplified life rhythm is to say no. * Digital calendar. If you aren’t using one, start. You can enter all the details once, and pull them up at a moment’s notice. In this day and age, you just need one. (Bonus: Most of the kids’ schools even have a digital calendar you can add layered on top of your own in case you miss something.) * Ease up on yourself in other areas. Things are hectic right now, but stop worrying about how anyone else will perceive you at this time, because trust me, they’re all too busy to notice, too! No guilt, no shame, no beating yourself up mentally. Let it go. * Set the expectation ahead of time that there is a limit on what will be kept, because at the end of the year all of the papers come home. ‘Set a limit and stay within it’. Look through every paper they bring you, celebrate their wins, adore the cutesy scribbles in the younger years, and then let it go. Keep one example of their art when none of it looks like anything yet, not fifty. I dive in deeper in each of these areas in the audio episode above, so make sure you listen! This month, in June, we are focused on entryways, hallways and closets. We are crossing (or preparing to cross) the threshold into summer. We’re preparing for more movement. Schedules start shifting, summer plans roll in, and the calendar fills up. So we want to look at the flow of energy in our home. Entryways invite energy and they’re the first place guests will see. Closets hold old identities and old energy if they aren’t intentionally cleared out. Hallways are like arteries in the body. If they’re blocked, nothing moves smoothly.. June Rhythm Posts: You can start wherever you need to, or follow these in order. Each month we have a ‘Focus Post’; an overview of the month: June Focus - Entryways/Hallways/Closets [https://hersimplifiedheartbeat.substack.com/p/june-focus-entrywayshallwaysclosets?r=35lz4c] Then there are four weekly/part breakdowns of that monthly focus, which include why for the focus, some mindset shifts, habits to build that change everything, stories as medicine from my own journey, as well as the steps to take - i.e. what to declutter! June Part/Week One - Entryways [https://open.substack.com/pub/hersimplifiedheartbeat/p/june-part-1-entryways?r=35lz4c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] June Part/Week Two - Hallways [https://open.substack.com/pub/hersimplifiedheartbeat/p/june-part-2-hallways?r=35lz4c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] June Part/Week Three - Closets [https://open.substack.com/pub/hersimplifiedheartbeat/p/june-part-3-closets?r=35lz4c&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] June Part/Week Four - Summer Refresh/Revisit the Basics To round it out and so you aren’t alone on your journey, share your wins and your struggles in our private community chat threads for each monthly focus: June’s private chat thread [https://substack.com/chat/4787051/post/6d0195bf-3a63-4c36-bcd8-d8c152a47bf2] Remember, whether you’re doing this in rhythm with us, or whether you hopped in at this point because something just recently (or not so recently) stopped functioning the way you need it to, and it was your ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ - you are right where you need to be! X Bri P.S. Let me know how this monthly episode landed in the comments, and don’t forget to give me some love and click that heart and/or share so I can help more people like you to simplify their lives! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brihosack.substack.com/subscribe [https://brihosack.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brihosack.substack.com/subscribe [https://brihosack.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]