Ever scroll through social media and feel crushing resentment, seeing everyone else living their "best summer ever" while yours feels... less than ideal? You are not alone!

This week, Ashley gets raw and honest about her own challenging summer, filled with a breast cancer diagnosis, family caregiving, and busy schedules.

❌ This isn't an episode about complaining; it's about validating your feelings and sharing powerful strategies to cope, find joy, and maintain perspective when life throws unexpected curveballs.

If your summer looks different than you imagined – this episode's for you:

Embrace Your Anxiety: Learn to accept anxiety as a normal human emotion, especially when navigating overwhelming life circumstances. Understand that it's okay to feel it, and you're not "wrong" for experiencing it.
Combat Shame with Gratitude: Ditch the comparison trap and the spiral of shame by focusing on one single thing you're grateful for each day. This simple practice can gently shift your perspective and highlight the good.
Create Tiny, Meaningful Moments: Discover how to infuse joy into your everyday life with small, intentional moments that don't require money or huge effort.

This episode is a heartfelt invitation to be kind to yourself, validate your struggles, and find glimmers of happiness even when your summer isn't what you planned. It's about accepting where you are, finding peace in the present, and knowing that this season of your life is temporary.

More support just for YOU

⭐️ Drop Ashley a message here let her know how you're really, truly feeling right now
⭐️ Have MORE time for fun, when you cook these meals for you and your family

Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice, new symptoms, and the constant juggle of midlife? You are absolutely not alone. This week, we're diving deep into the ONE essential tool you need not just to survive, but to thrive in midlife and beyond.

In this episode I share that while we often seek external solutions like new diets, workouts, or supplements, the true key lies in something much closer to home: managing your thoughts and feelings. Get ready to look "under the hood" of your own brain and discover how to take back control, even when everything feels like too much.

In this episode, we unpack your brain's secret strategy:

📍The Overwhelm Trap: Discover how overwhelm often masks deeper feelings like overthinking, perfectionism, or confusion, and how your brain uses it as a "safety mechanism" to avoid perceived pain or wasted effort.
📍The Cycle of Frustration: Hear clear examples of how thoughts like "nothing I try works" lead to feelings of frustration and overwhelm, resulting in behaviors like quitting or giving up on your goals.
📍Breaking the Pattern: Learn to notice the direct correlation between your thoughts, feelings, and the behaviors you choose. This awareness is your first step to making different choices and getting the results you truly desire.

This episode is a powerful invitation to shift your perspective and embrace the incredible control you have over your midlife journey. It's about getting "your brain right" so all those other tools and strategies can finally work for you!

More support just for YOU

⭐️ Drop me a message and tell me how this episode landed with you, and where you're feeling overwhelmed
⭐️ Share a screenshot, or send me a message on Instagram @theashleymalik
⭐️ Feel less overwhelmed with a meal plan (here) that acutally works for you AND your family

Summer is the PERFECT time to make small changes, that give you a BIG impact!

This week, dive into a powerful 7-day mini-challenge designed to significantly reduce inflammation in your body.

Get ready to feel more energetic, focused, and truly enjoy all your summer activities without feeling like garbage!

Your 7-Day Anti-Inflammation Challenge:
Nourish & Hydrate for Energy: Start your day with protein and veggies, drink half your body weight in ounces of water, and replace refined sugars - all to reduce inflammation.
Move & Recharge Your Body: Increase your daily step count, and aim for 40 grams of protein by 10 AM to stay fuller and more energized.
Mindset for Success & Gut Health: Commit to removing basic, inflammatory ingredients, and write down your wins every single day to build confidence and lower stress, allowing your body to thrive.

More support just for YOU

⭐️ Cook just 3 nights/week all summer long, with this easy, family-friendly meal plan
⭐️ Need your question answered in a future episode? Send me a note here!