This episode is a heart-to-heart about creative burnout and showing up for your creativity even on the days when you’d rather do anything else. I’m sharing the epiphany I had while making my bed (yes… really), what Michael Jordan and Stephen King taught me about discipline, and why I’m done letting my mood decide whether I create. If you’re rebuilding your spark, feeling stuck, or searching for permission to start again — listen in. Got a question? Send me an email. READ THIS ON THE BLOG: STO...

Do you need a kick in the DIY pants? Then you should join my 30-Day DIY Challenge! Recently I shared with you the "BEFORE" and "AFTER" of my friend's home office makeover that I did for her. (If you haven't seen it, you can read the blog post HERE and watch the video tutorial HERE). I also told you about the $1,000 giveaway I'm doing in partnership with Arrow Tool Group. Did you enter yet?! (ENTER HERE!) (If not, you should, because there are only 216 people entered at the time of this publi...

Did you know that women make up only about 3% of the home appliance repairers, but they excel in this field? In this episode, I sit down with Mona Sims, the inspiring owner of SSG Appliance Academy. She shares her journey of starting and growing a business that empowers individuals (with a focus on women women re-entering society from incarceration or being victims of domestic abuse and sex trafficking) to learn how to repair appliances and start their own appliance repair businesses. Whether...

I don't know about you...but in this economy, I need a side gig! Have you ever considered selling your refinished furniture on Facebook Marketplace? I've started dipping my toe into selling furniture online, and although it hasn't been very long, I've learned a few important things that you've got to keep in mind before you start selling on Facebook Marketplace! It's a great way to bring in another stream of income in this tough economy, while allowing you to exercise your creative muscle. Le...

Send us a textIn this episode, I’m sharing my recent struggles with feeling uninspired and disconnected from the projects that used to spark joy for me. Life has been “lifin’,” and honestly, social media hasn’t helped. I’ll talk about how anxiety that social media creates shuts down creativity, why taking a step back from social media might be exactly what you need, and the small changes I’m making to protect my creative spark. Let’s take back our creativity, ditch the pressure to "measu...

Send us a textI have a confession: I haven't been feeling very creative lately. I've been working on projects behind-the-scenes, but I haven't felt that same creative spark and excitement. I've felt stuck and absorbed in other things, particularly family matters. It made me wonder if you've felt this way at times, too? What can we do to reignite our creativity? Listen in as I share personal stories on why I think we temporarily lose our creativity and how we can try to bring it back. Want to ...

Send us a textI talk a lot about power tools, but I often don't mention all the hand tools that are most important for your DIY toolbox! Join me and listener, Elizabeth, who is a former shop teacher, as we talk about all the hand tools that you should put on your list to invest in for your workshop!Want to share your thoughts on this episode or have a question we didn't answer? Email me serena@ thriftdiving.com or on Instagram @ThriftDiving.MENTIONED & RESOURCESBEFOER & AFTER Bathroom...

Send us a textIn this episode, my friend and I discuss how I got started with Thrift Diving, the evolution of my brand, and the challenges and rewards of running a DIY blog and YouTube channel. From thrift store finds to major brand partnerships, we cover it all. I'm chatting in this episode with Laura Rudder, a loyal Thrift Diving reader turned dear friend. Laura originally interviewed me about personal topics in Episodes #113 and #114, and now she's back to dive deep into the business...

Send us a textIt's hard to believe, but you can get almost anything done if you focus on it for 5 minutes at a time. I've been using this strategy this week to knock out some of my most stressful "MUST DOs" that I have been ignoring. But I'm finding that by setting a time for 5 minutes at a time, and "habit stacking" the chore with something that I am already doing, I've been able to make a ton of progress--all in 5 minutes increments! Listen to see how you can use this strategy to knock out ...

Send us a textAs we approach mid-2024, I've been wrestling with late-night anxieties about unmet goals, unfinished DIY projects, health and family concerns, and more. Today, I share with you why I haven't been posting much, including why things feel like their moving at the pace of molasses! :)As I share with you my personal thoughts that reads more like a journal entry, I'd love to know if you have (or are!) struggling with some of these concerns, too! Share your own story and thoughts by re...