It’s time to ask for what you’re worth—with calm, clarity, and confidence


Your Companion for Wellness

in Every Season

Dearest Reader,

How are you feeling right now? This is your self check-in. Take a quiet moment. Listen to your body, your breath, your thoughts. Is there tension asking to be softened? Fatigue quietly calling for rest? Let this be your gentle reminder to honor what your wellness needs today. 🌿


Let’s take a few deep breaths together—slow and steady. Feel your lungs expand, hold the breath for a heartbeat, then exhale. Do this three times. Now, notice the weight of your body against the chair or floor, and remind yourself: you are safe, grounded, and here.

✨ This Week's Actionable Tip

Set time aside at least twice a day to check in with yourself. Deepen your breathing, feel your body, and gently remind yourself that you are safe and supported.


🌿 Your Weekly Wellness Support If life feels heavy or stretched right now, this week's wellness focus might offer some relief. Each week, I highlight a resource to help you reconnect, release, or realign.

Wellness isn’t about doing more—it’s about remembering who you are beneath the noise. Take a breath. Soften your shoulders. Ask yourself: What part of me needs compassion right now? You matter. You’re not alone on this path.


I planned to talk about stress—how it ages us, strains every area of life, and traps us in a loop that deepens fatigue—but with the furlough lasting and so many people impacted by the changing job market, I want to bring this conversation closer to home.


Over the next few weeks, we’ll be exploring ways to increase or create income. That means I’ll still talk about stress (it’s always connected), but through the lens of empowerment—how taking calm, purposeful action can ease the anxiety that financial uncertainty brings.


If you’re a parent, these topics will still meet you where you are. If you’re someone looking for a new path, you’ll find practical, heart-centered guidance here. I’ll be sharing books, courses, videos, and podcast episodes because we all learn differently—and sometimes, we need to hear something more than once before it fully lands.


🌱 Starting with Asking for a Raise

Let’s begin this series by talking about raises—how to prepare, how to ask, and how to stay on track for future growth.


You’re not alone in feeling uneasy about it. According to a 2024 PayScale study, roughly 70% of employees who ask for a raise actually receive one, yet most wait a year or longer than necessary to even try. The truth is, the cost of living doesn’t wait for performance reviews, and neither should your self-advocacy.


Before you ask, spend time preparing:

Write down everything you’ve contributed that’s made a measurable difference—how you’ve saved time, increased revenue, reduced stress on your team, or improved workflow. Use numbers or tangible examples where possible.


Then, ask yourself what kind of future you want within your company. When you approach your manager, express curiosity about what they need and how you can grow toward those goals. This turns the conversation from a transaction into a shared investment.


My husband’s path to becoming a high-paid manager started exactly this way. He didn’t wait for his review—he initiated a conversation about his role, his goals, and how to bring more value to the company. And he continues to do that while adding in a whole bunch of value to the company he works for. In fact, they have fought to keep him several times when he has tried to leave.


Here’s something many people get wrong: you don’t have to wait for your yearly review. Promotions and raises can happen whenever you’ve proven your growth and value. It’s about alignment, timing, and courage, not the calendar.


🪴 What Not to Do

Avoid framing the conversation around personal needs—phrases like “I need a raise because everything’s getting expensive” make the request sound emotional instead of strategic. Stay focused on the value you bring.


Don’t surprise your manager, either. Schedule a meeting specifically for your professional development. This shows confidence and respect, and it helps create a space where both of you can be fully present for the conversation.


If you’re not sure how to ask for the meeting, keep it simple and professional. You could say something like:


“I’d love to schedule a short meeting to discuss my current role and how I can continue to grow within the company. Do you have any time later this week or next?”


If your manager asks what the meeting is about, stay calm and confident. You don’t need to lead with the word raise right away—it’s often more effective to begin with curiosity and collaboration. Try something like:


“I want to review my recent progress and make sure my goals align with the company’s priorities. I’d also like to talk about ways I can continue developing in my position.”


This phrasing keeps the tone open and professional while planting the seed for a raise discussion. It also signals that you’re proactive and invested in the company’s success, not just your own. Once you’re in the meeting, you can share the value you’ve brought and naturally lead into the compensation conversation.


Think of this as a partnership conversation, not a performance test. You’re opening the door to a shared future, one that recognizes your growth and invites mutual investment.


Finally, don’t go in without practice. Talk it through with a friend, partner, or mentor. Even saying it out loud to yourself helps your nervous system adapt to the conversation. You can even practice with me if you would like.


Try opening with something like:


“I’ve been reflecting on my contributions this year and how they’ve supported our team’s goals. I’d love to talk about my continued growth here and how my compensation might reflect that progress.”


That’s clear, calm, and collaborative—exactly the tone that keeps relationships strong.


💫 Remember the Heart of It


Financial wellness is emotional wellness. When you advocate for yourself, you’re honoring your worth and building stability that nurtures every other part of your life. Take a slow breath. Picture yourself speaking with confidence and clarity. You’ve got this.

Here is my favorite video talking about asking for a raise and then practicing it. I had to watch it as a homework assignment while earning my undergrad. Here is another one I have in my job pivot course.

📞 Ready to go deeper? [Schedule a free, heart-centered coaching call here.] Let’s explore what’s ready to shift.


🪷 Quote for Reflection "Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you."
— Anne Lamott

What does this stir in you today?

If you’re feeling burned out or guilty because you just can’t push anymore, read that again and remember that pausing is productive. I see you, and I love you for showing up—imperfectly, beautifully, and still trying.


Catch the latest podcast episodes of Wellness in Every Season

Listen on Spotify here and on Apple Podcasts here,

or watch on Youtube here.

If there’s a topic you’re craving support around, hit reply—I’m listening. And if an episode has helped you, consider sharing it or leaving a review. Your words help this space grow, and your heart shapes what comes next. 🌿

📸 Leave a review + screenshot for a small gift and a chance to be featured.


🌟 Program Spotlight This program is a deep dive into what I will be talking about over the next several weeks.

Your Dream Job Pivot: Redesign Your Career Path
Once known as The Dream Job Mom, this program has evolved into Your Dream Job Pivot—a flexible, on-demand experience for anyone ready to re-enter the workforce or make a meaningful career change. Originally designed to help stay-at-home moms rediscover their purpose, it now guides professionals of all backgrounds to uncover passions, rebuild confidence, and align their careers with their values. Through coaching, practical strategies, and step-by-step tools, you’ll learn how to redesign your career path, balance life and work, and pursue a future that feels purposeful and fulfilling.

**Already working through this one? Browse my full collection of programs here.


🧡 Parenting Coach Corner Parenting stretches your heart in every direction. Some days it lifts you. Others, it wears you down. You’re doing the invisible work of nurturing tiny hearts while carrying so much.

What would make parenting feel just a little lighter this week? Maybe it’s more calm in the chaos. More presence in the moment. Or simply knowing you’re not alone.

📘 [Explore my parenting program here ]
📞 [schedule a free call] — Let’s talk through what’s been hard and what’s possible.

You’re already doing so much that matters. Let’s make it feel more peaceful.


📝 Journal Prompts

  1. When was the last time I clearly named the value I bring—to my job, my home, or myself?
  2. What fears or beliefs come up when I think about asking for more—money, time, or respect?
  3. How would my life feel different if I trusted that advocating for my worth strengthens everyone around me?

🌸 Grounding Affirmations

Speak these aloud or whisper them to yourself:

  1. “My work has value, and it’s safe for me to be recognized and compensated for it.”
  2. “I approach conversations about my future with calm confidence and clarity.”
  3. “When I honor my worth, I create balance and abundance for myself and those I love.”

Next week I will talk about LinkedIn and how to properly use it.


🛠️ What I'm Currently Working on (For You):

I am developing more programs tailored to your needs. You can explore all my current offerings here.

I am adding two marketing spots to my podcast and newsletter for businesses that align with your most pressing needs. If you or anyone you know is interested, you can apply here.

I finished my parenting coach certification! Start transforming your parenting journey here today!


📊 This Week’s Poll Your voice matters. What’s most relevant for you right now? Your input helps me create resources that truly support where you are.


🌿 Want to Be a Surprise Guest on the Podcast?

Ever wondered what it's like to experience a wellness modality like Reiki, sound healing, or past life regression? You could be the next surprise guest on Wellness in Every Season!

You’ll receive a session live on air from one of our incredible practitioners—and as a thank-you, you’ll also get a free 30-minute wellness coaching session with me afterward.

👉 Click here to apply to be a guest

(Spots are limited, so I’ll reach out when there’s a good fit!)


Cheering you on,

Autumn Carter

Check out my Everything Page and my Products I love Page


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