It's that time again! Time for another Good Life story. Today I have Jennifer Hurlburt with us, visiting from Minnesota where like here summer weather has been elusive. I met Jennifer through the Summer Bucket List Challenge and have been following her family's SBLC adventures since on her blog Jennifer Witt Photography. Jennifer is a wife and a mom to two boys and is expecting their third child. Today, Jennifer paused from their summer adventures to share a snapshot of her Good Life with us. Please join me in welcoming Michelle! -Eden
1. How do you define The Good Life?
The Good Life is when the most important areas of my life are aligned and balanced. I don’t need things to be perfect, life is beautifully chaotic after all, but I do need to know that I’m giving attention to the areas that matter most to me. My husband and my children are my first priorities and tending to those relationships come before all else. When I know I’m being the best wife and mother I can be the other important areas tend to fall in to place; being a teacher for at-risk preschoolers, documenting our lives through photos and videos, and working on various digital design projects.
2. Do you think it's possible to pursue The Good Life? Why or why not?
I absolutely think it’s possible and I strive to pursue it each day. I grew up in less-than-stellar circumstances and it would have been easy to succumb to my childhood. I’m lucky that somehow I did not go down that path and now I choose to live intentionally. Living with intention means analyzing the decisions I’m making and deciding if they are leading me towards The Good Life or away from it. If they are leading me away from it, it’s time to brainstorm a change.
3. Do you think you have The Good Life? If yes, when did you learn this?
I am blessed. I absolutely think I have The Good Life. Five years ago, I would not have been able to answer with a yes. I am a people pleaser. I tried to please all the people in my life and over a period of a few years I realized that many of those people I was trying to please were leading me away from The Good Life. I was living for them and not for myself. I let go of the toxicity in my life and while it was emotionally taxing at the time, I can say that I’m only surrounded by people that lift me up now. I’m a better person and a better wife and mother for choosing joy, even if the road was hard. The bonus of a hard road is that you are so grateful when you come out on the other side of it.
4. How has blogging helped you recognize The Good Life?
Blogging has introduced me to people with similar outlooks on life; people who work hard to be intentional and change the world for the better. It’s also introduced me to people who are living authentically and sharing themselves with the world – the good and the not-so-good. Connecting with bloggers who share their authentic lives has helped remind me that The Good Life is present even among that beautiful chaos of life.
5. Do you have any tips you'd like to share with others?
We created seven core family values that we strive to life by. One of our values is “Be you.” Our family values poster reads: “Be you. There is no one out there that can be you better than you. Let’s face it, the world needs you, we need you. And you, my dear, are pretty stinkin’ amazing. So, go out there and don’t let anyone take you away from you.“ While it’s written in speak our children can understand, I believe it’s true for everyone. The Good Life will only come when you let your authentic self shine!
Does your family have a set of core values?
What are they?
What are they?
Ciao Bella!
Eden!
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Credits: All layouts designed by Eden Hensley Silverstein for The Road to the Good Life. All images personal photos of Jennifer Witt of Jennifer Witt Photography and used with permission. Photographs in the first layout as well as the last photo in the post were taken by Solar Photographers. A Good Life Snapshot is a monthly series featuring a DIY or lifestyle blogger I follow and who I admire.