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Motivation Mindset Mentor and Teacher

Haley Bond - Encouragement Coach

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed? Burnt out, feeling stressed and pulled in every direction. Constantly comparing yourself to other people? Lacking in confidence, looking for ways to get motivated? Eager to find balance. All while, driving in the express lanes to make it to the next part of your day as you chug your second (or third) cup of coffee? Not to mention you are the queen of long-winded to-do lists with an ambitious dream, if only you had more time in your day. 

Welcome to the Best Day Podcast. The podcast for encouragement and motivation. To equip you with the pep talk you need to live your best life. To give you the tools to embrace a positive mindset and live a life you can feel good about. This podcast will help reduce the stress in your life and establish healthier habits so you can stop feeling scattered and disorganized 24/7. 

Hey, I’m Haley. Wife, mom, high school history teacher, and encouragement blogger over at @gracefulandfree. For the last several years, I struggled to find a healthy work-life balance. I was overcommitted, refused to say no, and worked a lot. Sacrificing my sleep and my joy, just to hustle harder, all while feeling extremely stressed and overwhelmed. And then, I became a mom, and I knew something had to give.

Through embracing a positive mindset, I have found balance and established boundaries to protect my peace, so that I can live every day as the best version of yourself. So what do you say? It is time to stop feeling unmotivated, and time to say YES to living confidently, every single day, no matter what may come your way. 

Ready to have your best day as the best version of yourself? Well friend, grab your iced coffee and let’s get encouraged!

THE BEST DAY PODCAST, Mindset, Positive Mindset, Encouragement, Motivation, Confidence

Hey friend — today’s episode is for the perfectionist in you. The part that tries so hard to get everything just right, that feels guilty when things fall short, and that quietly believes she has to do more to be enough.

But here’s the truth: you are already worthy, already capable, and already doing so much better than you think.

So in this episode, I’m sharing five affirmations for your perfectionist self — little reminders to help you let go, breathe deeper, and move forward with more grace and less pressure.

Struggle with Perfectionism? 5 Affirmations for Your Over-Achieving, Perfectionist Self

Hey friend — if you spend any amount of time in your car, this episode is for you.

I don’t know about you, but my commute has become sacred time — the space where I think, dream, and reset. And while some days it’s filled with podcasts and playlists, other days it’s just quiet — a moment to breathe before I step into whatever’s next.

Today, I want to help you find the purpose and peace in your own commute — whether you’re heading into work, running errands, or driving home after a long day. We’ll talk about how to turn your drive into the prep zone for your day, a tunnel to unwind, and a pocket of intentional time that you can actually look forward to.

Tired of Being In the Car? How to Transform your Commute Into A Time of Peace & Purpose

So often we can get distracted, our gaze can turn away from our own situation and instead shift on the things happening around us, our attention spans turned to what’s trending, and we can start to feel unsettled in our own routines and chaos, but today I am going to invite you to stop looking at everything else going on around you, and instead to focus on the things happening within you. To dig deep, stay grounded and find the joys in your own current season. Despite what is challenging, despite what feels hard, regardless of the things you hope to change.. today, today we are focused on how we can embrace the season of life that we are currently in.

How to Embrace the Season You Are In

There’s just something about October, isn’t there? The air feels a little crisper, the pace slows down just enough to remind you to breathe, and suddenly life feels like it’s inviting you to be more present. 

In this episode, I’m sharing your October Intentional To-Do List — a cozy, soul-filling guide to help you pause with purpose, protect your peace, and bring a little more joy into your every day. 

From fall movie nights to gratitude lists and your very own ‘yes moment,’ this one’s all about finding the magic in the simple, quiet moments this season.

An Intentional Girl’s Guide to October: Finding Joy in the Little Things

I know what it feels like to wake up and already feel behind, even before your day begins. Your giant to-do list is staring at you, the pressure is on, and you’re trying so hard to push through even when your energy is running on empty.

But here’s the thing—we weren’t made to live like that. We weren’t made to always feel like we are operating on empty. Because here is the thing - your energy actually matters more than your to-do list? The way you feel (your body, your heart, your mind) while moving through your day is way more important than how many boxes you get checked off.

In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about what that really means and how you can shift your focus from just doing all the things to actually feeling good while you do them. Because you, my friend, deserve to show up to all parts of your day with peace, joy, and energy. You deserve to feel your best— instead of feeling drained and burnt out all of the time.

Pep Talk: Your Energy Matters More than Your To-Do List

Today’s episode is a little different—it’s a heart-to-heart, straight from me to you. This past week was my very first week back at work after maternity leave, navigating life as a working mama of two littles, and I’ll be honest—it was a week full of both wins and moments that could have gone a whole lot better. Some things worked really well, and others… not so much

But as I was sitting with it all, I realized something—taking time to actually pause and reflect on our week, the good and the hard, can be such a game-changer for how we step into the next one. 

So today, I just want to share a little bit of my own reflection with you—what worked, what didn’t—and hopefully encourage you to take a look at your own week too. 

Because when we do, it gives us a chance to reset, refocus, and walk into a new week with so much more intention and peace.

What Worked, What Didn’t: My First Week Back After Maternity Leave

Sharing my personal journey of returning to work after maternity leave. Offering practical tips and heartfelt insights to help parents manage this significant life transition with grace and authenticity.

Key Takeaways:

Embrace grace and allow yourself to make mistakes. Prioritize being present in each moment, whether at work or home. Simplify routines to reduce daily stress and decision-making. Maintain honest communication with your partner, colleagues, and yourself.

Keywords: maternity leave, work transition, parenting, grace, presence, routines, communication

Tune in for encouragement and inspiration as you navigate your own journey back to work. Subscribe now for more insights and support.

What I’m Doing Differently to Protect My Joy + Peace Post-Maternity Leave

Hey friend, can I just take a moment and say… I see you. I see the way you’re carrying so much right now — the endless to-do lists, the expectations, the desire to show up well in every area of your life. It can feel exhausting trying to do it all, can’t it? And if you’re anything like me, you probably put so much pressure on yourself to hold everything together, even when it feels like too much.

This episode is for the girl who is trying to accomplish it all. The one who feels pulled in a hundred different directions, but still keeps showing up. I want to share with you five things that have been on my heart — simple truths and practical reminders to help you breathe a little deeper, release the weight of perfection, and find encouragement right where you are. Because you are doing better than you think, and I want to remind you of that today.

You Don’t Have to Do It All (But Here’s How to Thrive When You Try)

Happy September, friend! I have to be real with you—lately it’s felt like I’ve had to fight a little harder for joy. Life feels busy, the world feels heavy, and sometimes it’s easy to just go through the motions. 

But I don’t want that for you, and I don’t want that for me either. 

So today on the podcast, we’re setting the tone for this new month with five intentional things you can do in September to bring in more joy, more peace, and a little more fun. 

From celebrating the little things, to embracing your fall self, to even tackling that one dreaded corner of your home—you are going to walk away with simple and doable steps to help you live this month with more intention and joy.

The September To-Do List You Didn’t Know You Needed - Your September Intentional To-Do List

Have you ever got to the end of your day feeling like you didn’t do enough? Or maybe you did plenty, but it wasn’t actually anything that needed to get done in order to accomplish anything. 

Or maybe you did all the things, but you end the day feeling extremely disconnected from yourself and your people you love the most. I have been there friend. 

And today’s pep talk is just for you. Here to remind you that you are doing a good job, way better than you even think. 

So give yourself grace and the space to be the version of you that you have the bandwidth for in this particular moment and season of life.

Pep Talk - You Are Doing Better Than You Think!

So much of our time is spent focused on the things that need to be done. 

The errands, the to-dos, we usually wait until all other things are complete or the day is over to prioritize the fun, the joyful things! 

Sharing THREE steps to MORE joy in your everyday life this month. 

Your July intentional to-do list! 

Click HERE for the Book of the Month to get your first book of the month for just $5!

CONNECT WITH THE BEST DAY PODCAST 

Ready to take the next step? Book a one-hour coaching call!

~JOIN OUR MAILING LIST!

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Check out the show notes for today's episode.

xo. Haley

EP 156 // 3 Steps to a More Joyful You This Month - Your July Intentional To Do List

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