168/It’s Fun to Have Fun!

Starting something new can feel exciting — and a little intimidating. In this episode of Your Next Best Move, I’m sharing what it’s been like to start writing my first book (yes, it’s called Your Next Best Move!) and what I’ve learned along the way about taking those first steps toward a new project or goal.I talk about how to know if now is the right time, how to find small pockets of time in your day to make progress, and how to move past perfectionism so you can just begin — even if it’s messy and imperfect.If you’ve been thinking about starting something new — a creative project, a personal goal, or even a new routine — this episode will inspire you to take that next best move and just start.Rooting for your always!-DeannaConnect with Deanna:W: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deannahope.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deanna_hope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Next Best Move Podcast⁠

As moms, it’s easy to get caught up in the routine of doing all the things — and forget that life is supposed to be fun, too. In this episode of Your Next Best Move, I’m talking about the importance of bringing joy and play back into our everyday lives.This week, I found small ways to have fun just for me — reading a rom-com for no reason other than it made me smile, and joining a creative writing class that sparked my creativity. These simple moments reminded me that fun isn’t just for kids — it’s a vital part of self-care and feeling alive.If you’ve been craving more joy, laughter, and lightness in your days, this episode will inspire you to look for little ways to have fun again.Connect with Deanna:W: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deannahope.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deanna_hope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Next Best Move Podcast⁠

Motherhood is full of dualities — joy and exhaustion, love and frustration, excitement and fear. In this episode, I talk about what it means to hold both truths at once: to love being a mom and still admit that some parts just aren’t your favorite. I share how I’m navigating this season — from pregnancy that feels both beautiful and hard, to motherhood moments I adore (like caring for my son) and others that simply don’t light me up (like endless tractor play).It’s about choosing our mindset, giving ourselves permission to feel it all, and leaning into the good without denying the hard.If you’ve ever felt torn between gratitude and struggle, this one’s for you.xoDeannaMotherhood, My Way⁠ - My Mothertelling Mainstage Story - May 5, 2025Connect with Deanna:W: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deannahope.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deanna_hope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Next Best Move Podcast⁠

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for connection and healing. In this episode of Your Next Best Move, I’m reflecting on three stories I’ve shared this year that have shaped me as a mom, woman, and storyteller — speaking on the Mothertelling mainstage, writing about my experience with burnout in the Mothertelling book, and sharing my son Eddie’s birth story on stage for the first time.Each story taught me something about vulnerability, courage, and the power of speaking our truth. Whether you’re navigating motherhood, burnout, or your own season of growth, this episode is a reminder that your story matters — and that sharing it might be the next best move you make.Motherhood, My Way - My Mothertelling Mainstage Story - May 5, 2025What the Pregnancy Books Don't Tell You - Reclaiming Birth Conference - September 19, 2025Connect with Deanna:W: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deannahope.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deanna_hope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Next Best Move Podcast⁠

This year hasn’t gone the way I thought it would. I’ve walked through a miscarriage, taken our house off the market, and found myself grieving plans that didn’t unfold. But even in the middle of all that, some things are working — I got a promotion, my marriage has grown stronger, and I’m learning to shift my focus from what’s not working to what is. In this episode, I’m sharing how I’ve been reframing a hard year and reminding myself (and you) that growth doesn’t always look like we imagined. If you’re in a season that feels heavy or uncertain, I hope this helps you find clarity, compassion, and your next best move.Connect with Deanna:W: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deannahope.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deanna_hope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Next Best Move Podcast⁠

In this episode, I open up about navigating life's in-between seasons. Reflecting on my personal journey through loss and anticipation, I share insights on balancing ambition with patience. Discover how I embrace uncertainty, honor my dual desires, and make my next best move today. Whether you're waiting for a new chapter or striving for personal growth, I offer encouragement and a reminder that you're not alone. Tune in and find strength in the waiting. Connect with Deanna:W: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deannahope.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deanna_hope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Next Best Move Podcast⁠

What do you do when life throws a curveball—and your business goes viral overnight? In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur Vanessa Cato to explore her journey through multiple career pivots, from the baking world to running a thriving online business.Vanessa opens up about the whirlwind success of her donut bouquet, the growing pains of working with family, and why her newest venture, True Assist, is rooted in a desire for more balance and intentional living. We talk about the not-so-glamorous parts of entrepreneurship—like burnout, self-promotion struggles, and learning to set boundaries—and how taking small, brave steps can lead to something truly meaningful.If you’ve ever felt like you needed permission to change paths or redefine success, this one’s for you.Connect with Vanessa on Instagram and Tiktok: @vannycatt and @eurodessertsConnect with Deanna:W: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deannahope.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deanna_hope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Next Best Move Podcast⁠TakeawaysVanessa Cato is an entrepreneur who has pivoted her career multiple times.She started in the baking industry but transitioned to online business during COVID-19.The donut bouquet went viral, leading to significant business growth.COVID-19 forced her to adapt and invest in an online store.Working with family can be challenging but also rewarding.True Assist was born from a desire for better work-life balance.Self-promotion is a struggle for many, including Vanessa.Setting boundaries is crucial to avoid burnout.Hustle culture can be detrimental to mental health.Taking small steps can lead to significant changes.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Vanessa Cato02:45 The Journey of Entrepreneurship05:21 Going Viral: The Donut Bouquet Story08:14 Navigating Challenges During COVID-1910:55 The Shift to Online Business13:25 Family Dynamics in Business16:06 Transitioning to True Assist18:28 Overcoming Self-Doubt in Business20:53 Work-Life Balance and Burnout23:28 Advice for Career Pivots26:19 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations

Feeling pulled in every direction and unsure what decision to make next? In this episode, we dive into what it really means to trust yourself again. Whether you're navigating motherhood, career changes, or personal growth, your intuition is a powerful guide. I share personal stories and reflections to help you reconnect with your inner voice and make choices that feel aligned—not just productive.If you're a working mom or busy woman ready to stop second-guessing and start leading from within, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about tuning out the noise, finding clarity, and making empowered decisions in every season of life.Connect with Deanna:W: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deannahope.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deanna_hope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Next Best Move Podcast⁠TakeawaysTrust your intuition; it's always available to you.Create white space in your schedule for reflection.It's okay to say no to commitments that don't serve you.Change takes time and patience; be gentle with yourself.Following your gut leads to a more fulfilling life.You have permission to pivot and change your path.

Saying yes to everything might feel productive, but it often leads to burnout, overwhelm, and misalignment. In this episode, I explore the power of saying no, recognizing your capacity, and prioritizing what truly matters in your life. I’ll share my own experiences with burnout, the struggle of balancing ambition with well-being, and why not every opportunity is the right fit—no matter how exciting it seems. Tune in to learn how self-care, boundaries, and alignment can help you make decisions that serve you, not just your to-do list.Rooting for you always!DeannaConnect with Deanna:W: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deannahope.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deanna_hope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Next Best Move Podcast⁠Episode TakeawaysIt's essential to find time for yourself amidst the chaos of parenting.Saying no can be a powerful act of self-care.The universe often tests our alignment with our true selves.Recognizing your limits is crucial for personal growth.Not every opportunity is the right one at the right time.It's okay to prioritize your family and well-being over ambitions.Aligning with your true self can lead to better opportunities.Embracing change can open new doors in your life.You don't have to do it all; focus on what matters most.Finding alignment brings a sense of peace and fulfillment.Chapters00:00 Finding Time for Yourself02:56 The Power of Saying No05:53 Recognizing Your Capacity08:46 Aligning Opportunities with Your Life12:07 Shifting Focus and Identity14:57 Embracing Alignment in Life

We often think of personal growth as a straight path—set goals, take action, see results. But real growth? It’s anything but linear. In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story (spoiler: it involves a broken van window and a whole lot of unexpected stress) and diving into how we can navigate life’s twists and turns with resilience.If you’ve ever felt like you’re taking two steps forward and one step back, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about embracing the messy middle, recognizing small mindset shifts, and choosing how we respond when life throws curveballs. Because growth isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about learning through them. 💛xoDeannaConnect with Deanna:W: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.deannahope.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deanna_hope⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Your Next Best Move Podcast⁠Episode Takeaways:Nonlinear growth is often overlooked in personal development.Acknowledging small shifts in mindset is crucial for growth.Life's challenges can lead to unexpected blessings.Resilience is built through navigating life's ups and downs.Stress management is a key component of personal growth.It's important to reflect on how we handle difficult situations.Life is a mix of highs and lows, and that's what makes it rich.You have the power to choose your reactions to challenges.Embracing the full human experience includes all emotions.