Why do we procrastinate even when we care about the outcome? In this episode of H&K with Monica Packer and Rachel Nielsen, we explore how perfectionism and emotions can quietly hold us back from the life we want. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop being a perfectionist, build healthier daily habits, and feel happier in your day-to-day life, this conversation will give you a new perspective. We talk about self-compassion, personal development, and simple mindset shifts that support real personal growth and development—especially for women and mothers who want to prioritize self-care without the pressure to be perfect.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-disrupt-your-procrastination-loops

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

• More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off
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• Book Launch Committee
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Writing my book has been one of the most personal and challenging experiences of my life. When editing, the scariest part was opening myself up to feedback from editors, advanced readers, and even my husband. This vulnerability pushed me out of the perfectionism I used to hide behind, teaching me that true growth comes from allowing others to see our true selves and accepting their insights without personalizing the criticism. It's not just about the book—it's a metaphor for life. When we let the right people in, those we love and respect, we open ourselves to deeper, more meaningful relationships. This openness is how we refine not just our projects but ourselves. I invite you to embrace the discomfort of vulnerability and let trusted loved ones provide feedback, because that's how we truly grow and connect.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

• More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off
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• Check out my ⁠workshops⁠!
• Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
• Book Launch Committee
• Full Show Notes

 Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

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In today's fast-paced world, finding focus can often feel like an impossible feat. Cody Cook-Parrott shared that when our attention is scattered due to overstimulation and technology addiction, we unintentionally lose a part of ourselves. Addressing this requires us to step away from shame, gently asking what we might be avoiding, and experimenting with practices that reclaim our attention through small, intentional changes. Through Cody's insights, we learn that being present starts with small actions—whether it's logging out of social media, turning off your phone for a few hours, or taking conscious walks. Such practices help center us, improve our health, and revitalize our ability to show up in our lives. As I work towards intentional living, I invite everyone to explore these practices and experience the profound benefits of being fully embodied and present.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

• More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off
• Leave a rating and review
• Check out my ⁠workshops⁠!
• Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
• Book Launch Committee
• Full Show Notes

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

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What if learning how to be happier isn’t about fixing your circumstances, but shifting your perspective? In this honest conversation, Mandi Winkleman shares how she navigated NICU stays, motherhood overwhelm, and everyday chaos with self-compassion and humor. We talk about personal growth and development in real life, daily habits that support emotional resilience, and how to stop being a perfectionist when everything feels out of control. If you’re craving personal development that feels grounded, gentle, and practical — especially as a mother — this episode will remind you that self improvement often starts with allowing yourself to feel… and then choosing to move forward.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/https:%2F%2Faboutprogress-com%2Flaugh-mandi-winkelman%2F

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

• More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off
• Leave a rating and review
• Check out my ⁠workshops⁠!
• Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
• Book Launch Committee
• Full Show Notes

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This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey.

Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too! 

Special links: Sourdough Cookbook; Cinnamon foccaccia recipe (can use without sourdough); Undereye patches; Check to see if you won a prize from our Favorite Things Giveaway. 

Get the free DSL Training. Check out Monica’s DSL for 2026.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

• More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off
• Leave a rating and review
• Check out my ⁠workshops⁠!
• Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
• Book Launch Committee
• Full Show Notes

Transform your space now. Go to Quince for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

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In my experience, women often carry the mental and emotional weight at home, which goes unnoticed. This burden leads to feelings of being undervalued, even when performed willingly. Sharing this labor isn't just about dividing tasks evenly, but about mutual recognition and appreciation for every contribution, fostering a genuine sense of partnership within the family.

When I embarked on this journey to balance the labor in our home, it became clear that change must start with me. Through open conversations, I encouraged my family to recognize the invisible labor and prompted them towards owning more responsibilities. This process is gradual, but change arises from understanding our roles, communicating with compassion, and being willing to adapt together.

Here to Stay Drive: join the ⁠Supporters Club⁠ to keep About Progress around for good + participate in a whole month of special prizes. A little from many makes this work sustainable!

• More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off
• Leave a rating and review
• Check out my ⁠workshops⁠!
• Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
• Book Launch Committee
• Full Show Notes

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

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This episode is a special shortened preview from More Personal, Monica's premium, private, ad-free podcast for the Supporters Club, starting at just $5 a month. Join the HERE TO STAY: 250 SUPPORTERS DRIVE and help ensure About Progress doesn't just make it to its 10 year anniversary this Fall, but make it so it's here to stay. Join the club ⁠HERE⁠.

What if the point of hobbies isn't to be good at them? (A novel idea for us recovering perfectionists, I know . . . )

Ever start a hobby with excitement, only to face the harsh reality that you're not good at it? Welcome to my February Hobby Year update.

This month I dove into sketching wildflowers, and QUICKLY discovered I'm bad at it. Really bad. But here's the twist: I promised to send these amateur drawings to new Supporters as handmade cards. Cue the inner perfectionist panic.

In this episode, I'm sharing what happened when I sat down with my sketch book, why promising these cards to people accidentally turned my hobby into a job, and the permission I had to give myself to be bad at something and share it anyway.

Plus: a ballet class update (spoiler: I haven't been back yet), why February was supposed to be my "easy hobby month" (oops!), and my plans to tackle quilting in March.

If you've ever struggled to make time for hobbies, felt embarrassed about not being instantly good at something, or wondered if it's okay to enjoy imperfect pursuits—this one's for you.

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What if learning how to feel happy starts with letting go of perfectionism? In this conversation, we talk about personal growth and development for moms who are tired of carrying unrealistic expectations. You’ll hear how daily habits, self-compassion, and intentional self care for mothers can lead to real self improvement — without sacrificing your family. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop being a perfectionist and create space for personal development that actually fits your life, this episode will help you simplify and start again.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/how-to-simplify-in-motherhood-with-rachel-nielson

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Looking back on 2017, it's hard not to feel nostalgic about the immense growth and learning that happened during About Progress's first full year as a podcast. As I opened up behind the mic, it was a year where I stepped into the world of podcasting more confidently, juggling both personal and professional challenges. From interviewing new voices like Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife to pushing myself in ways I hadn't anticipated, it was a time of intense learning and adaptation.

Fast forward to now, it's wild to think about how the lessons of 2017 have influenced the trajectory of my life and work. It's a reminder that dreams do require work, but they are also what make the journey so deeply fulfilling and worth every moment.

Complementary past episode to listen to: First episode ever!; First interview ever!

Old episodes to support: https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/finlayson-fife-perfectionism; https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/selling-out-my-views-on-sponsorship; https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/christopher-clark-creating-a-happy-life-in-spite-of-incurable-disease 

Get your Sticky Habit Rainstorm printable HERE

Here to Stay Drive: join the ⁠Supporters Club⁠ to keep About Progress around for good + participate in a whole month of special prizes. A little from many makes this work sustainable!

• More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off
• Leave a rating and review
• Check out my ⁠workshops⁠!
• Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
• Book Launch Committee
• Full Show Notes

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

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Lately, I've been pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone and build connections through hosting. As an introvert, it’s been easier for me to stay in my comfort bubble, especially after the habit of isolation I developed during the pandemic. But I realized that having people physically in my space, sharing laughs and stories, truly enriches my life. I’ve been inspired by today's conversation with Brittney Hanks, who reminded me that hosting isn’t about perfection or entertainment, but creating a space for genuine connection. It's been refreshing to see the connections strengthen and new friendships begin. If you’re like me, start with something manageable, put it on your calendar, and savor the rewarding experience of opening your home and heart to others.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

• More for Moms Conference use code “LISTENER” for $20 off
• Leave a rating and review
• Check out my ⁠workshops⁠!
• Follow About Progress on YOUTUBE!
• Book Launch Committee
• Full Show Notes

Transform your space now. Go to https://www.quince.com/monica for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns; Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for WAY less. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home; Join Masterclass for 15% off at masterclass.com/progress

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(This episode is a special shortened preview from More Personal, Monica's premium, private, ad-free podcast for the Supporters Club, starting at just $5 a month. Join the HERE TO STAY: 250 SUPPORTERS DRIVE and help ensure About Progress doesn't just make it to its 10 year anniversary this Fall, but make it so it's here to stay. Join the club ⁠HERE⁠.)

In this candid "Working on Things" episode, Monica shares her 10 personal goals for 2026 as she approaches her 40th birthday. 

You'll hear about her complicated relationship with goal-setting, ways she makes goals doable but motivating,  and how she's learning to celebrate milestones instead of bouncing right over them.

Monica also gets real about the challenges: feeling like two ships passing in the night with her husband, struggling with tech boundaries while running a business, the endless cycle of high-conflict children, and the weight of launching a book on a shoestring budget. But she also shares what's lighting her up—her hobby year (including returning to ballet!), plans for adventures, and her word of the year: reclamation.

Listen if you:

• Want to hear an honest take on goal-setting that isn't about hustle culture
• Are navigating the chaos of responsibilities and trying to feel like your life is your own
• Need permission to do goals differently—broader, more flexible, more human
• Are approaching a milestone birthday and want to make it meaningful
• Appreciate messy, real conversations about personal growth

This isn't a polished how-to. It's a real-time look at someone figuring it out.

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