Welcome to Living Well — our bi-weekly spotlight on different women that we admire and find fascinating. Our goal is to share an intimate peek into these women’s lives by asking them the questions that allow them to open up about their imperfect truth, whatever that may be. 

I love when I get to meet someone who is brave enough to decide to create something new and put it into existence. Rachel Garahan did that with her Vessel Journal and paper line that promotes intentional living and is beautiful as well. We carry it in the shop and Rachel has also led workshops at the space teaching others to bring their visions to life as well. She is a great teacher, a lady's lady, and an enthusiastic and talented contributor to the WLW community. Seeing that her work is in intentionality and self-care as well as design, I was eager to hear her take on " a good life" and more about how she creates that as a mother of three living in Ojai. 

I know you'll enjoy reading about Rachel.  

xx,

Jaimi

If you've done the Values Deck exercise, what are your top five values? Tell us how one of them manifests in your life. What is a decision you’ve made using it to guide you?

Authenticity, Freedom, Connection, Growth, Fun. While 'freedom' is the value that has ruled for most of my life, 'fun' snuck in and surprised me in my 30's. I've always been more of the serious type, but since becoming a mother almost 9 years ago, Fun has become one of my most important words. As a parent, this means silliness, availability, creativity, and creating a childhood for my three kids full of cozy memories and surprises. And more recently, I've found Fun presiding in my personal and spiritual life as well. Because fun is lightness. Fun is letting go of control and expectation. Fun is creativity and living creatively. Fun is joy. And finding the joy- and fun!- in everything I do has proven to create the beautiful life's path.

What does a life well-lived look like?

Honeymamas chocolate and homemade mint matcha lattes. Crisp winters and green summers. Depth in relationships. Flexibility in all things. Reflection. Creative expression. Visions pursued. Presence in all of the moments.

My version of success is…

Professionally- to be financially supported through my own creative pursuits, and for those creative pursuits to find deeply impactful resonance with as many people as possible. Personally- to someday have adult children who love to spend time with us, and to have a big lakeside home where everyone can easily gather.

In what way are you seeking to grow right now?

We just purchased our first home and it was a massive growth experience. I think I cried every day we were in escrow! Throughout this experience, and as I continue to integrate into this finally-realized dream, I've benefitted so much from talking with friends who embody a sense "why-not?" boldness amidst uncertainty. Whether financial or aesthetic, holding this attitude has helped to let go of overthinking and just go it.

What is one way that you are different today than you were ten years ago?

I'd like to think that while many things have changed since then, my sense of self-compassion has evolved so much and in turn has allowed me to be a more loving and open partner, mother and friend.

Setting aside modesty for a moment, what are you excellent at?

Strategy! Whether in work or in their personal life, I love helping people figure out the next practical steps to get them where they want to be.

Whose life perspective and way of moving through the world teaches you something about who + how you want to be?

I've always been inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe. Her no-nonsense attitude and commitment to her specific vision of beauty is unparalleled.

IS THERE A QUOTE OR MANTRA YOU ALWAYS COME BACK TO?

"All my needs are met" is one shared to me by my spiritual teacher that I lean on heavily these days. When my mind starts to spiral I come back to my surroundings and realize that everything I need is here.

Can you share a book, podcast, or article that changed you in some way?

I always have a non-fiction and fiction book going. And so if the quote "vegetables for the body and flowers for the soul" were applied to books, I'd say Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer- such beautiful teachings for a mindful relationship with the Earth. And The Dutch House by Ann Patchett- it's a novel I could read again and again.

What are you grateful for today?

Walking the kids to school with our dog and afternoon bike rides around the hood!

Rachel Garahan is an author and personal-growth facilitator offering unconventional tools for self-discovery. With an approach that is both easeful and effective, her guided journals, meditations, online courses and in-person workshops empower individuals to reclaim space for themselves–to pause, find clarity, and tap into the answers within. Connect with her on Instagram.