Monica Beatrice Welburn is the owner of The Elgin Avenue blog and she’s one half of the Let’s Discuss podcast duo – both of which I have recently discovered and am in love with. Both her blog and podcast are centered around creating a meaningful life. She seems like such a sweetheart, and I loved getting to know her more with these five questions.
What does your morning and evening routine look like?
My routines change with the seasons. In the cooler months when I spend a lot more time at home, I often have quite a set morning routine – I’ll meditate, write in my gratitude journal, enjoy some delicious breakfast and a coffee with my boyfriend before easing into the working day.
In the summertime I’m much more flow-y and have less of a routine as I travel more often. I still enjoy a healthy breakfast (normally fruit of some sort with yoghurt, banana pancakes on in a smoothie bowl) but I take things more slowly and focus on rest.In the evening my boyfriend and I tend to watch an episode of something on TV, and then I’ll read a few pages of my book before falling asleep. I also love to luxuriate in taking off my makeup – it’s such a lovely calming routine. If there’s anything weighing on my mind I like to journal it out before I fall asleep – including any to-do lists – as otherwise I’ll think about them overnight.
What lights you up or sparks your creativity in the work that you do?
I love creating content, and sharing, about topics which I hope will help other people to lead a happier and more inspired life. Whenever I am going back and forth on a piece of content, I check in with myself and think: “how is this helping others?”. If it isn’t going to help in one way or another, then I re-think the approach. My motto for every piece of content I create is: “inspiration or education” – it must fulfil one or the other or both!
On a more creative note, I love styling shoots and images. I’ve always adored drawing and art (I went through SO many sketch books as a kid) and so being able to channel that creativity into my work is something which I am very grateful for. It’s so much fun!
What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in your twenties?
One of the biggest lessons I have learnt is that focusing on your own personal wellbeing has to be a priority. If not your top priority.
It’s imperative to take care of yourself first so that you can be the best version of ‘you’ in every walk of life, and with others.
Photography by Marlene Lee What’s been challenging you lately?
My business has grown a lot this year, and with that I have experienced what I like to call ‘growing pains.’
I launched a conference – Big Small Business – in April, a podcast – Let’s Discuss – and my own blog has evolved.
I also have my first product line launching in October – so one of my challenges of late has been the growing pains associated with all of this. The infrastructure to support all of this was completely alien to me!
Having worked for myself full-time for around four years, I’ve been so used to working alone. When my outlets grew I thought I could continue to run it all by myself. I learnt (after an unsurprising period of exhaustion) that if your business grows, you need to put the infrastructure in place to support it.
Over the past few months I have done this and I am happy to report that things are running more smoothly.
Growth and what that looks like in my business is something which I constantly check in with.
What are some of your personal “rules” that you choose not to break?
Be kind to everyone.
Smile.
Check in with your intuition – what ‘feels’ right?
Seek advice.
Have fun.
Spend time with people you love.
Take the time to think about, and express, gratitude.
You can find and learn more about Monica through her blog, podcast, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.