Helping Women Create a Life Worth Celebrating.. One Intentional Moment at a Time
Hi! I’m Ashley- a 911 dispatcher, EMT, autistic, ADHD-brained mama, wreath maker, cozy crafter, and the heart behind A Joyful Intent.
This little corner of the internet was born from my deep desire to live slower, love deeper, and celebrate more intentionally- not just the big milestones, but all the in-between moments that make life beautiful.
I believe that gift-giving can be sacred. That homemaking can be joyful. That planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming- especially for women like us with a hundred tabs open in our brains.
I know what it’s like to forget a birthday and feel guilty. To buy last-minute gifts out of panic instead of joy. To want more meaning in everyday life… but feel too burned out to make it happen.
That’s why I created A Joyful Intent — a place where cozy meets clarity, and where women can find tools, printables, and mindset shifts to support a life of peace, celebration, and presence.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
–Philippians 4:11–13 (NIV)
What You’ll Find Here
01 – A Cozy Lifestyle Blog
Explore intentional homemaking, mindful living, and cozy self-care that fits your real life — not Pinterest perfection.
02 – Printables Designed for Gifting + Planning
From my signature Intentional Gifting
 Planner to free mini kits and celebration tools, everything here is designed to help you give and live with more purpose (and less chaos).
03 – Resources for Neurodivergent Women
All of my planners, systems, and content are created with ADHD, autism, sensory overload, and executive dysfunction in mind — because your brain deserves to feel supported, not shamed.
04 – Celebration Planning Without the Burnout
You’ll find simplified ways to prep for holidays, birthdays, and family moments without losing your mind (or blowing your budget).
how I got Here
Why I Chose This Lifestyle
I’ll be honest– my childhood was shaped by trauma and instability. I won’t go into all the details, but it left me living in a constant state of fight or flight. My body was always on high alert, and that kind of stress takes its toll. It showed up in both my mind and body- two bouts of pneumonia, asthma, pelvic floor dysfunction, even meningitis.
I got tired of struggling. But things didn’t really begin to shift until 2015, after the birth of my firstborn. Postpartum depression cracked something open in me- and that’s when I began searching for the right tools to heal.
It wasn’t quick, and it definitely wasn’t easy. I had to unlearn years of coping mechanisms that once felt like survival. I started this journey a decade ago, and I’m still learning, still evolving. âž¡
But here’s what I can tell you today: I don’t live with FOMO anymore. I don’t panic at the thought of missing out, because I finally understand- everything happens in its own time and for its own reason. I’ve learned how to ride out big emotions without feeling like the world is crumbling. And in the quietest of moments, I can feel true joy.
No, I’m not a therapist. But I’ve lived this. And I know this much: living slowly, intentionally, and joyfully is not only possible- it’s absolutely worth it. You can teach your nervous system that it’s safe to rest. That it’s okay to let go. And yes, it usually takes a mix of things to get there- therapy, nourishing food, wearing well-made clothes (hello, thrifted treasures!), and doing things with your hands that reconnect you to the real world.
If you’re ready, try following the rhythms I share here on my site for just 30 days. Let it be a reset. At the end of the month, check in with yourself. I’m confident you’ll notice something good shifting- in your mind, your body, and your soul.
Favorite TV Show
Dexter
Favorite Drink
Coke Zero
Favorite Food
Tacos
Favorite Animal
Elephants & Butterflies
Favorite Book
“How To Do The Work” by Dr. Nicole LePera
Favorite Hobby
Gardening
You, My Friend
have come to the right place
Gift-giving should never be about pressure or perfection.
It’s about thoughtfulness. Alignment. Joy.
Whether you’re shopping for your kids, your spouse, your best friend, or yourself — there’s something sacred about slowing down and saying, “I see you.”
The planner I created — The Intentional Gifting
 Planner — is what I wish I had years ago. It’s the gentle structure I now use to keep giving from a place of peace.
This space isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what matters — with joy and intent.
Welcome to your cozy corner of the internet. I’m so glad you’re here.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
-Psalm 118:24 (ESV)