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JMB Living

Hi! I'm Julie, founder of The Art of Intentional Living Community and creator of beautiful guided seasonal journals focusing on wellness and living intentionally. I teach journaling as a tool, not only for mental wellness, but also for creating what you want out of life. My journals are quite unique – guided journal, planner and magazine in one. They include articles sharing inspiration from wellness professionals, vision board space, habit trackers and so much more. I also just release Worthy: A Radical Self-Love Journal. Each week I release new videos on my YouTube channel with suggestions and ideas for slow living and intentional living.

woman in blue jeans reading on a couch

💤 When rest helps you RISE...

A Lesson from My Couch Yesterday Hello lovely soul, I usually glide into your inbox every Monday with fresh thoughts and inspiration—but yesterday, I paused. In years past, I’d have pushed through even when physically weak. But recently I’ve learned that honoring rest isn’t slacking—it’s smart medicine. So, I curled up on the couch and read a book for most of the day. My motivation was absolutely zero. And yet, today, feeling restored, I woke up ready to plan, create, and get things done. Had...
Woman kicked back and relaxing beside lake

Don’t Retire Until You’ve Done This One Thing

Hi Reader, Most people think the biggest retirement risks are market crashes or inflation. But in reality, there’s a silent budget mistake that 60% of new retirees make… and it can quietly drain your savings. Curt and I thought we had our numbers nailed — until we “test-drove” our retirement budget and discovered some expensive surprises. In my latest video, I’m sharing: The hidden costs most retirees overlook How to create a realistic “retirement paycheck” The simple test that can save you...
vase of zinnias, yellow, pink and white

🥵 What to do now when it's TOO darn hot...

Remember the Joy's of Summer I've been hiding lately... From the humid heat. From the swarms of mosquitos that seemingly line up outside my door hoping for a fabulous feast as soon as I exit. The lazy days of summer have arrived. It's time to shift my perspective and remind myself of the sweet joys of summer so I can delight in them while pushing away thoughts of the daily rise of the thermometer. Finding things to appreciate is such a powerful antidote to what ails. If you too find yourself...
A double exposure of a woman's face with flowers in her hair

Are you getting enough of this one vital thing?

The Magic Ratio A few weeks ago I was nosing through the airport library donation box while waiting for my daughter and grandchildren to arrive. The title "How Full is Your Bucket" caught my eye and I scooped it up to "check it out" from the airport library. It's been an interesting read and is all about the impact of the impact of our positive and negative interactions with others. It begins with a story of the how a North Korean POW camp had the highest death rate in US military history. It...
sunset over coastline and trees

Travel taught me this one secret to slowing down...

What Slow Travel Teaches Us About Slow Living” Hint: It’s not about going somewhere—it’s about how you be there. Traveling has a way of reminding me what really matters. It’s not the packed itinerary. It’s not about seeing everything because you may never come back. It’s the hike we almost missed but enjoyed the most. It’s the local spot where the food was simple, but unforgettable. It’s the moment we paused, exhaled, and felt the place. That’s the beauty of slow living too. It’s about being...
pouring water from a copper kettle to make tea

Patience (And how to get it)...

Patience for the Easy & Hard Stuff This is a little embarrassing, but it is not uncommon for me to spill water on the countertop as I'm pouring from the kettle, simply because I'm wanting to hurry it up. I love the look of our gooseneck kettle. Curt loves how it makes a great coffee pour-over. But it does test my patience when filling the mug. It encourages me to take a deep breath and enjoy watching the steam rise. This is a inconsequential daily habit where I'm forced to practice patience,...

The truth about BONE LOSS after 40…

Hey there! Here’s something I didn’t expect to hear a few years ago:“You have osteoporosis.” I thought that was something you worried about late in life... And only a few years prior my bone scan was fine.But there it was — bone loss had quietly been happening beneath the surface. Since then I’ve been on a mission to understand what actually helps prevent further loss and rebuild strength naturally. And one of the simplest tools I’ve added? 👉 A weighted vest. This week on my YouTube channel...
smiling woman gently holding a pretty straw hat on her head

🌸 Tiny Touches to Make Your Life FEEL Richer...

Happy Monday! In last week's email I shared a few ways to make your life feel rich. Since this was so well received, I thought I share a few more ideas with you, as sometimes it’s the smallest things that bring a surprising amount of joy. In my latest YouTube video, I’m sharing 10 small and inexpensive ways I’ve upscaled my everyday life—all with simple swaps or meaningful touches that make regular moments feel more beautiful, intentional, and uniquely me. You’ll find ideas you can try at...
woman with sea glass in cupped hands standing on a beach

What Makes a Life Rich (Hint: It’s Not What You Think)

Hi friend! Last week, Curt and I spent a week hiking and exploring Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. And while the views along the Cabot Trail were stunning, what lingers strongest in my memory are the little moments that came from saying yes to things just a bit different than the norm. We didn’t stay at big chain hotels. Instead, we chose places that promised charm, a bit of uniqueness—and what we received were moments that we couldn’t have quite predicted. Our first stop was a beautifully restored...
woman with arms open wide smiling on top of mountain

⚡️Reignite Your SPARK! (Starting now)

Midyear Kickstart (that Feels Really Good) Lately I've been feeling a bit frustrated with myself for losing momentum on my beginning of year fitness goals. If you've been feeling a bit of the same, this is your gentle, encouraging nudge: It’s not too late to get back on track. In fact, this is the perfect time for a reset. I've found that one powerful way to regain your momentum is this: Make Yourself Proud! Not to impress anyone else.Not because you should.But because it reconnects you to...