Designing A Life Fantastic -

Detailed view of the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York City under a clear blue sky.

Climbing to the Crown of the Statue of Liberty: What to Know Before You Go

We rarely do the touristy things here in New York. When you live in…

easter eggs

How to Build a Low-Waste Easter Basket Your Kids Will Love

Easter is one of those holidays that sneaks up on you. One minute it’s…

lots of hearts

Classroom Valentine’s Day Ideas That Are Fun, Affordable and Low-Waste

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is still very much a classroom tradition.…

Plitvice Lakes Croatia

Two Days at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Croatia had been on my travel wish list for a while, and when we…

Welcome!

I'm Robin; traveler and lifestyle blogger.

I'm on a mission to bring more joy into my life. Follow along as I share travel tips, life hacks, easy sustainability swaps, design inspiration and more.

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Detailed view of the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York City under a clear blue sky.

Climbing to the Crown of the Statue of Liberty: What to Know Before You Go

July 11, 2026July 11, 2026

We rarely do the touristy things here in New York. When you live in the city, there's this unspoken rule that Times Square and the double-decker buses are for visitors,…

easter eggs

How to Build a Low-Waste Easter Basket Your Kids Will Love

March 23, 2026March 24, 2026

Easter is one of those holidays that sneaks up on you. One minute it’s February, and the next you’re throwing stuff in a basket. Here’s the thing: Easter baskets don’t…

lots of hearts

Classroom Valentine’s Day Ideas That Are Fun, Affordable and Low-Waste

February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is still very much a classroom tradition. We did them once, in Kindergarten, and making 50 valentines was more stress than fun, and…

Plitvice Lakes Croatia

Two Days at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Croatia had been on my travel wish list for a while, and when we finally made it happen, there was one place I knew we had to see: Plitvice Lakes…

Woman with wallet not spending money

Why You Should Try a No-Spend Day—or Month

November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

How It Started I started doing no-spend days before I had kids — mostly as a fun little challenge to help me jump-start my savings. I wasn’t always consistent back…

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thejoyfulrobin

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Raising kids & trying not to burn the planet down ✨
Living proof you don’t need more stuff to have a great life
No perfect vibes, just what works ⬇️

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Sep 3

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What Dolly said…go put on some wings and go for your dreams

“You can wish your life away. But if you’re going to dream, you’re going to have to get out and, like I always say, you have to put some wings on them dreams, and some feet and fingers and some hands. They gotta get into some stuff. You can’t just sit around and think of all the things you want to do. You’ve got to think of what you want to do, and then you’ve got to get out and make that happen.”

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 Follow along as I share the messy, imperfect journey of designing a life that I don’t need a vacation from.

What Dolly said…go put on some wings and go for your dreams

“You can wish your life away. But if you’re going to dream, you’re going to have to get out and, like I always say, you have to put some wings on them dreams, and some feet and fingers and some hands. They gotta get into some stuff. You can’t just sit around and think of all the things you want to do. You’ve got to think of what you want to do, and then you’ve got to get out and make that happen.”

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 Follow along as I share the messy, imperfect journey of designing a life that I don’t need a vacation from. ...

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Sep 3

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Or in my case, figure out how I’m going to make some money money. Vacation was fun, now back to real life.

TL;DR I recently quit my job to be around more for my family, but this mama has school back to school everything and fall sports to pay for. Follow along as I figure my ish out and start making some money.

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I’m sharing the messy, imperfect journey of buying less, living more and designing a life that feels fantastic.

Or in my case, figure out how I’m going to make some money money. Vacation was fun, now back to real life.

TL;DR I recently quit my job to be around more for my family, but this mama has school back to school everything and fall sports to pay for. Follow along as I figure my ish out and start making some money.

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I’m sharing the messy, imperfect journey of buying less, living more and designing a life that feels fantastic. ...

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Sep 2

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I originally posted this as a trial reel because I was feeling scared and vulnerable. Probably not coincidentally, after I filmed this, my car broke down on the highway. That set in motion the events that led to me putting in my two weeks’ notice.

If you’re also feeling drawn to something, consider this your permission to try. It doesn’t have to be quitting your job. Maybe it’s taking a stand-up comedy class, signing up for a race, starting the business, booking the trip or finally trying the thing you keep talking yourself out of.

What’s the thing you secretly want permission to try? Tell me in the comments.

And if you want the podcast episode that completely changed my perspective on all of this, comment PERMISSION and I’ll send you the link.

I have no idea exactly where this next chapter is going to take me, but I’m going to share the whole thing. Follow along as I figure out what happens when I finally bet on myself.

I originally posted this as a trial reel because I was feeling scared and vulnerable. Probably not coincidentally, after I filmed this, my car broke down on the highway. That set in motion the events that led to me putting in my two weeks’ notice.

If you’re also feeling drawn to something, consider this your permission to try. It doesn’t have to be quitting your job. Maybe it’s taking a stand-up comedy class, signing up for a race, starting the business, booking the trip or finally trying the thing you keep talking yourself out of.

What’s the thing you secretly want permission to try? Tell me in the comments.

And if you want the podcast episode that completely changed my perspective on all of this, comment PERMISSION and I’ll send you the link.

I have no idea exactly where this next chapter is going to take me, but I’m going to share the whole thing. Follow along as I figure out what happens when I finally bet on myself. ...

4 4

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Sep 2

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Working moms: have you ever looked at your kids and wondered if your paycheck is worth how much you’re missing?

Going back to an office after four years of working remotely was fun at first. But eventually, the two-hour commute started to take its toll. I was leaving before my kids woke up and getting home at dinnertime.

I missed them. And they’re growing up way too fast.

I can always make more money. I can’t make more time.

So I quit my 9–5. 😳

Was that a good idea? We’ll see. Now I’m betting on myself as a content creator and finally going after my dream of getting paid to travel.

Follow along for the roller coaster. I’m going to do everything I can to make this work.

Would you ever quit your job without another one lined up? Tell me in the comments. 👇

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I’m sharing the messy, imperfect journey of designing a life that feels fantastic.

Working moms: have you ever looked at your kids and wondered if your paycheck is worth how much you’re missing?

Going back to an office after four years of working remotely was fun at first. But eventually, the two-hour commute started to take its toll. I was leaving before my kids woke up and getting home at dinnertime.

I missed them. And they’re growing up way too fast.

I can always make more money. I can’t make more time.

So I quit my 9–5. 😳

Was that a good idea? We’ll see. Now I’m betting on myself as a content creator and finally going after my dream of getting paid to travel.

Follow along for the roller coaster. I’m going to do everything I can to make this work.

Would you ever quit your job without another one lined up? Tell me in the comments. 👇

Hi, I’m Robin 👋 I’m sharing the messy, imperfect journey of designing a life that feels fantastic. ...

17 3

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