🪩 December Community Update
A snapshot of this month’s Substack conversations, membership updates, and the growing collection of downloads.
Hi friends 🫶🏽
It’s hard to believe we’re already in the final stretch of the year. I’ve been thinking about why 2025 felt so much more productive than years past, and a lot of it came down to how I approached goal-setting. Because for most of my life, New Year’s resolutions never stuck. I’d start January with big plans, lose steam by February, and spend the rest of the year carrying around a vague sense of guilt about all the things I said I’d do but didn’t.
So this year, I tried something different. Instead of setting goals for the year, I started setting six goals every month: three personal, three business. They’re not massive, life-altering commitments. They’re small(ish) things I can actually finish in 30 days. Think: reading one chapter before bed, organizing my Notion, creating a client template.
At the end of each month, I sat down and review what worked, what didn’t, and what I wanted to focus on next. Then I set six new ones and started again.
The difference between this and resolutions is that resolutions assume you’ll be the same person in December that you were in January. You won’t be. Your business will change. Your personal priorities will shift. What felt urgent in February might be irrelevant by June.
Monthly goals let me stay focused on what actually needed to happen in 2025. And that consistency changed everything. I outsourced parts of my business I’d been trying to do myself for too long. I started journaling again. I cooked more at home and read more books.
Eventually, twelve months of small goals added up.
So if you’re already dreading resolution season (or if you’ve been burned by the “new year, new me” cycle before) maybe try this instead:
Pick six things in January — three for your life, three for your work. Keep them realistic enough to finish in 30 days. Review at the end of the month, then set six new ones. Repeat and see what shifts.
I promise you’ll accomplish more thinking in months than you ever did thinking in years.
A Quick Note on Subscriptions
I’m offering 50% off paid yearly subscriptions through Monday, December 15 — a small thank-you for reading and helping build this cozy corner of the internet in 2025. This means you can join the paid membership for $32/year (typically $65). And note, this price is locked in forever as long as you stay subscribed.
✨ Why go paid? You’ll receive:
Monday: Downloadable resources (Paid) — workbooks, digital tools, and guided rituals to help you live with intention and build the life you’re craving.
Wednesday: Intentional living guides (Paid) — practical how-tos and inspiration to help you start living like the main character in your own story.
Thursday: Essay (Paid) — personal reflections of my life in France where I’m learning to slow down, live with more intention, and build a life of beauty.
Throughout the Month (Free + Paid Subscribers):
Monthly Community Check-In (like this one!) — an update on what’s happening behind the scenes at Petal + Hearth, and what’s ahead for our community.
Her Best Life — a series where I ask my favorite Substack creators to share the choices and rituals that have shaped the dreamy lives they have today.
Monthly Roundup — curated recommendations to compliment your personal growth: books, tools, reflective practices, slow rituals, and more.
For the cost of a dinner out this month, you can unlock the full Petal + Hearth experience: weekly downloads, private essays, and access to the growing Member Vault of resources designed to help you romanticize your everyday life.
OKAY, now, if you’re read to take it a step further, my Founding Membership is the heart of Petal + Hearth: a small, intentional community for women who want deeper support and grounded accountability as they build and live their dream lives. My Founding Membership is $180/year (aka $15/month) and includes everything in the paid membership + exclusive community experiences.
Upcoming Founding Member Events:
Saturday, December 20th at 9am PST / 12pm EST: Monthly Goal-Setting + Accountability Call. On the third Saturday of every month, we meet for a one-hour call to set personal/professional goals, reflect on what’s working, and hold each other accountable for the lives we’re creating. Founding Members will receive a reminder pre-call with the Zoom link and details.
November + December: Virtual Book Club, The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. Each season we read one book together — something that expands how we see ourselves, our work, and our potential. This is a virtual, self-guided book club. You’ll get one email per month with reading schedules and discussion prompts to guide you through it. Founding Members can get caught up on November + December’s emails below.
A Peek at the Shop
A quick reminder that all of the downloads I create for my paid subscribers also live in my Etsy shop. If you’re a paying reader, remember: you already have access to all digital workbook downloads (currently valued at $227 and growing each week), free of charge. But if you’re just browsing or curious to explore, I’d love for you to take a look.
In Case You Missed It…
Here are this month’s stories and posts. I hope they bring a lil spark of magic 🪄 to your life!
If your product or service supports women creating an intentional and empowered life, I’d love to share it with my community. Petal + Hearth reaches 4k+ thoughtful subscribers who value beauty, depth, and becoming their fullest selves ✨ Learn more about sponsorship here.
About the Author:
Hey there! I’m Olivia, the heart behind Petal + Hearth. Originally from California, I moved to the south of France in 2023 to create a slower, more intentional life, and share the journey along the way. By day, I run the business of my dreams as a freelance copywriter. Here, I pour my love for seasonal rituals, intentional routines, and the magic of shaping a life you can truly fall in love with into every post.
Let’s Connect:
📞 Have Substack questions? Grab an office hours slot and let’s talk it out.
💬 Come say hi on Instagram or LinkedIn.
🪩 Ask me a question, submit feedback, or suggest a topic here.
💬 Feel free to like or comment on this newsletter so more Substack users can find it! ♥️