SUPER excited to bring back this series, and with one of my favorite instagramers and entrepreneurs – Kaetlyn Anne!
Have you ever found someone on Instagram, and you INSTANTLY wanted to be best friends/had a total girl crush on her? Well, that pretty much describes how I felt when I found Kaetlyn Anne’s account. I love her honest, passion, and content. I felt like she was doing the things I had thought about doing, the questions I was starting to ask, sharing things that were not the popular opinion… And she did it all with such grace and aesthetic.
It’s been such a joy following her over the last year or two (I don’t remember how long, quite frankly). She’s changed up her business and goals a few times, but the main threads of who she is, what she does, and how fiercely she follows the things she believes in… Those things have never changed.
I’m super excited to feature this darling friend of mine! I can’t wait for you to learn more about her!
So Kaetlyn, tell us a little about yourself.
I am in my twenties and I currently live in Ohio! I’m passionate about living a simpler and softer life, helping others be good stewards of Creation and their bodies. Living in a culture that is very immersed in worldly and consumeristic ways, I feel called to help others rediscover the simplicity and compassion that has been buried by society. I’m very much a homebody and I enjoy simple things like taking photos, filming videos, writing, reading, cooking, cleaning, and gardening! You can always find me creating something or brainstorming ideas for new projects. Creating is my happy place.
I always learn so much from your posts – when did you start caring about natural health and sharing about it?
Thank you! I started getting into natural wellness at the beginning of 2016. I had been struggling with some mental and physical health issues for a long time and began searching for healing through natural medicine. (full story here) It changed my life and I actually created my blog at that time as well because I wanted a place to share about it.
It can often be overwhelming to start… So what advice would you give to someone who wants to start living a simpler, cleaner life?
Definitely go at your own pace! It does not have to be an overnight process. I think the best place to start is with physical clutter in the home. Start in your closet and get rid of everything you don’t wear or use, and continue throughout your house. This can be knocked out in a weekend or a process that is carried over throughout a few months- it’s completely up to the pace that feels right for you. I have an in-depth post about areas that are helpful to declutter here.
Switching over to more natural products in the home can seem a bit more intimidating but it’s so worth it. The EWG website and the app Think Dirty are great resources to find out more about what’s really in the products you use and the dangers of them.
What does a typical day look like for you?
On days that I work from home I typically wake up between 6 and 7. I like to have slow and mindful mornings so I’m in the right headspace for the day. After I’ve had some time in prayer and meditation, gotten ready, and eaten breakfast, I’m ready to start my day around 9:00. I try to dedicate each day to something different, so for example one day will be a day where I work on my blog, another day will be a day dedicated to working on Calico and Twine things, another day will be for Youtube, etc. I’ll end my work day around 5 or 6 and spend the rest of my evening cooking dinner, relaxing, and spending time with family. Working from home has definitely been a learning process but setting healthy boundaries for myself has helped a lot.
What are some of your favorite meals and/or recipes to cook?
Ahh! So hard to choose! Spring rolls are definitely a go-to for me because they are easy and you can throw in whatever veggies you have on hand. Oh! And I know fries aren’t really a meal but I could easily eat them as one! I love making baked fries with fresh herbs and yummy dipping sauces as a healthier alternative to deep fried (find one of her recipes, here). I also share food videos on my youtube!
What’s your favorite thing about being an influencer? What keeps you going during the difficult days?
I think my favorite part is the people it has connected me with. When I first started my journey to simple and natural living I didn’t have anyone that really understood my new passion which was hard. Since beginning to share my lifestyle on social media I’ve connected with a circle of people that also strive to live life the same way and it’s really amazing to have that encouragement! Although it’s hard sometimes to have the pressure sharing a lot of my life with the internet, the fact that I have the opportunity to inspire people and give them the resources to live healthier lives is what keeps me going on the difficult days.
You’re in the process of launching a new business. Can you tell us anything about the reason behind a rebrand/new business or what this one will be more about? (note: she has since launched her new company Calico & Twine and it’s amazing! Definitely recommend you check it out).
Yes! For the past year or so I had been making and selling home décor and eventually it really just stopped feeling like me. I wanted to create something that instead embodied everything that I stand for and share on my platform, so Calico and Twine was born! It’s more centered around a simple and sustainable lifestyle and products that help others live more intentionally. It’s opening in July and will feature things like vintage clothing, vintage home products, as well as handmade pieces such as aprons and re-useable tote bags.
How does this new business align with your beliefs on health and wellness?
My beliefs on health and natural wellness in general are very much so incorporated into my new business. We will be offering organic options and are sourcing materials from sustainable, fair trade companies that use low-impact dyes that are better for the environment and our health. We will also be a completely plastic-free brand–no plastic products, no plastic packaging. Wellness and sustainability are definitely a priority!
Where do you find inspiration?
Nature! It’s very important to me to be connected with Creation and my work is definitely inspired and a result of that deep connection that I have with the beauty God has created.
What’s one thing that has helped you lead a simplified life?
My faith has definitely played the biggest part in my simplification. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says “and make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, mind your own business, and work with your hands” and I try to keep that verse in the forefront of my mind throughout everything I do. Finding that true joy and contentment comes not from worldly ways or worldly things but in Christ alone is what helps me keep things simple.
I’d love for you to share some of your favorite links where people can get to know more about what you do and some of your posts!
I have a resource page where I have linked all my favorite sources and information regarding holistic health, wellness, sustainability, etc here.
I have also written a few pieces about how my faith has led me to the type of lifestyle that I live. You can read them here, here, and here.
How do you drink your coffee (or tea)?I drink pour over coffee black and my tea without any sweetener! I’m a plain type of gal.
What’s a big goal that you have for the upcoming year? Or a big dream that you’d love to pursue?
One of my biggest goals this year is to be 100% self-employed by the end of the year. Being my own boss has been my dream for as long as I can remember so I’ve been trying to take consistent action to make this happen!
(note: at the time of this post, she is totally self employed).
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?
I definitely went through lots of phases. I really wanted to be a teacher for a while, but once I grew up I knew that a typical desk job type thing wasn’t for me. At different points I also wanted to be a fashion designer, magazine editor, author, and animal rescuer! I think our calling is often revealed to us when we connect back with our inner child and who we were when we were younger. It’s amazing to see how some of those things I dreamed about are actually happening and playing a huge part in who I am now.
What are you currently reading?
I recently read An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor and it was beautiful and really inspired me to be vigilant about mindfulness and simplicity.
Here’s a little preview of her instagram feed lately – all the cozy vibes! I highly recommend that you check her out and give her a follow. Here’s a link to all the things!
And if you love fall even half as much as I do, I highly recommend you check out her E-Magazine! I’ve purchased it I’m excited to set some time this weekend to dig into the content. Plus, I believe today’s the last day you can get it for only $10.
Kaetlyn, it was such a joy to interview you and hear all your lovely thoughts! Y’all, definitely check out this lady and all her handiwork, amazing written words, thoughtful curated content and beautiful threads she finds and resells!
