Summer is just about upon us. To many, Memorial Day weekend is the official start. For others, Summer Solstice (which won’t be until late June) is the true beginning. Either way, I’m sure you can feel the energy shifting. The light is lingering a little longer in the evenings, my plans are stacking up like little to-dos in my mind, and I’m reminded of one of my favorite quotes … “spontaneity is the reward for good planning”.  That’s what I’ve been carrying around with me lately: doing the unglamorous prep work now, so there’s space to play later.

May has been a good month of clearing out and tuning in. I’ve been waking up before the sun (or at least trying), tending to my routines, and slowly building better rhythms for the season ahead.

As someone who loves being in tune with the seasons, the flow of the year, the energies of the directions, and so on, I’ve been so inspired by a sweet friend of mine who plans her week around planetary days – Moon days on Monday, Venus days on Friday, and so on. And while I haven’t fully committed to it myself, I love the idea of being intentional with ourselves, our actions, our energies, and how the world around us holds us in certain energies. Even the simple but profound practice of an opening and closing ritual. Lighting a candle, turning on a playlist, tucking notebooks back onto the shelf. Creating a little ceremony around the work, if you will.

If you’re craving a late spring, early summer reset like me, I made you a checklist: a spring cleaning for your business, but also a little permission slip to pause, refresh, and clear out what’s feeling stale.

Spring Cleaning Check List

I know sometimes these tasks can feel a little tedious, but there’s a magic to them. A little spring polish to set the tone for what’s next. Here’s what’s been on my list:

✓ Archive old Instagram posts that don’t feel aligned with who you are currently and where you’re going.

✓ Unfollow accounts that drain or feel too tempting to compare yourself with, rather than inspire.

✓ Give your website a little looksy (make sure your pricing, portfolio, and inquiry pages are all up to date). Especially if you’re entering your busy season, make sure you have the essential systems set up to support you. (Resources on this to come! Waitlist here.)

✓ While you’re at it, why not give your socials a little polish? Update your profile picture, your bio, your highlights, your pinned posts…

✓ Follow up on those ghosted Honeybook leads, and archive any projects you don’t need to track anymore

✓ Reach out to some past clients for a little testimonial request

These tasks might not look like much from the outside, but they create room for ease, flow, and those sweet summer Fridays that are just around the corner. Trust me, you will be thanking yourself when you’re knee deep in busy season, getting inquiries left and right, trying to stay relevant on socials, AND trying to live your best summer life.

Journal Prompts of the Month

Those who know me know I am an avid journal lover. I’ve had years of being deep in the practice, years of taking a break, and am currently finding myself in the ‘getting back into it’ phase. Each month and each season, I love to take a moment to reflect on what is going on in my inner world. Here’s a few things I’m pondering this month:

• What am I craving more of in this season? What am I ready to release?
• What parts of me come alive in the summer? How can I create space for her to lead?
• Where could a little planning actually open up more room for spontaneity and joy?

A few lines in your journal, a quiet morning with your coffee, or even a note in your phone — wherever you land, I hope they guide you toward more clarity and more ease.

In the Works…

As always, I’ve been dreaming up new ways to support your business in a simpler, more spacious way. We recently launched the Monroe Collection, she’s lovely, so thorough, and truly has everything a wedding planner would need to have the most seamless client process.

We also have 2 new collections coming in June (this one for the doulas & coaches, but of course always easily customized for whatever your biz does). I am always working on more ways to help you elevate your brand from the inside out — so if that sounds like something you need, make sure to get on the waitlist for all my Honeybook resources.

Still closing out on some projects before kissing custom work goodbye for some time. These dreamy ones below are so sweet and so good.

• Atelier Gardey – my sweet friend Kerstin is celebrating 1 year of her business with the unveiling of her brand and website we’ve been creating through the winter and spring. 
• Lexie Heubner – an easy favorite amongst my portfolio
• Madelyn Grace – another favorite, another sweet friend / client – also launching soon (!) 

Plus, a shift into some non-wedding creatives as a change – a somatic healer & therapist, a coffee shop, and a farm stand! A little variety and a little fresh perspective is always good for the creative spirit.

Inspired By

• This series on IG by @luisas_files. Showing how to take inspiration without replicating  
• This adorable graphic summer bucket list that has me ready for sun-kissed cheeks and patio dinners.
• The personal brand diaries by subliminal shift (forever one of my fav follows).

May this month bring the awakening energy of the early summer, long walks after dinner, and some thoughtful attention to what little steps you can do now to enjoy the freedom later on. Until next month.

xo, Abbey