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ABOUT

Hi there, I’m Holly.

A former psychologist turned stay-at-home mum and full-time blogger! I live in sunny Queensland, Australia with my family of 4 and 2 fur babies.

I created Simplify Create Inspire in 2014 as I was navigating motherhood for the first time, and taking a giant leap from my decade-long career in psychology to my next destination, with a few detours along the way.

It has grown into something bigger, helping busy mums get back time amidst the chaos to create a life they love.

Holly connors simplify create inspire

I WANT TO HELP YOU CREATE A LIFE THAT YOU LOVE

Juggling life as a new mum, cooking meals, keeping the house tidy and returning to work had me wondering how these supermums manage to do it all! It felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day!

And when the essentials were done, there was no time left for the fun stuff – like dancing around the house with the kids or reading a chapter in a great book!

Something had to give!

It was through my own journey in seeking to simplify my life and get more time back that Simplify Create Inspire was formed.

Fast-forward 9 years later, the blog has grown into so much more than my personal journey into parenthood and getting organised. It has become a community of busy mums who seek to regain back some of their own sanity.

My mission is to help you calm the chaos and live with intent.

Life is not a dress rehearsal! I want to help you to live a more intentional life. One that you can look back on and know that you were taking centre stage in the life that you love!

What You Will Find On Simplify Create Inspire

With time, the topics covered on Simplify Create Inspire have grown far beyond my personal documentation of craft projects and decluttering. Here is a taste of what you will find here:

Organisation & Home Inspiration

As a self-confused untidy person, getting organised and simplifying my home has been a huge passion project over the past decade and you will find plenty of tips on how you can simplify your own home and life. From toy storage ideas to a full house deep clean plan and everything in between.

Or if you are looking to declutter your home, you will find plenty of motivation to help you along the way.

Make sure you check out my tips on reducing cleaning time at home.


Parenting & Family

As a mum to 2 daughters and an Aunt of 12 (and counting combined with my background working in psychology, you will find plenty of tips on creating a happy household.

I have embraced my school mum role with a passion and love sharing everything from morning routines to ways you can connect as a family. And of course, we want to make sure the kids are doing their share around the home with age-appropriate chores to reduce your load!


Recipes & Food

I love food! And I love sharing our favourite recipes with you. Up until recently, I had an uncontrollable sweet tooth, so expect plenty of sweet treats and desserts. I have since cut back sugar drastically on my journey to being fabulous and fit by 40, but I still appreciate the occasional indulgence.

Of course, you will also find everyday recipes and loads of lunch box inspiration for the kids too.


Planning

I am a big advocate of using a planner to stay organised. You can find my favourite annual planners for women guide, which is one of my most popular posts of all time. Clearly I’m not the only one with a love for functional and pretty stationery!

Holly connors

Craft & DIY

Making time to get creative is important to me and that’s just one of the many reasons why my goal is to help you get back more time in your day. I love crafting and expressing my creativity through DIY projects. Whether that be kids craft ideas or grown-up creative projects.

WANT TO COLLABORATE? VISIT MY WORK WITH ME PAGE OR SHOOT ME AN EMAIL


MORE ABOUT HOLLY

So, who is Holly? The short version – A chocolate-addicted, travel-obsessed cat lady with 2 kids and an often messy house, trying to find time to do all the things! Except for laundry… that can wait!

Holly connors with children

The extended version… I was born in Victoria, Australia, moving to Queensland with my family at the age of 5. I have 2 older siblings and my very first career aspiration was to become an author and illustrator of children’s books.

I figure blogging for grown-ups isn’t such a stretch!

But this isn’t where it all began. I spent more than 8 years as a correctional psychologist, after graduating from university and wanting to specialise in the field of Abnormal psychology. For the majority of that time, I adored my work and the challenges it brought with it.

All was going along swimmingly, marrying my partner of many years, Simon, back in 2010.

Then in 2012 something big changed… I became a mum!

And suddenly the traditional career and long hours weren’t so appealing. I did go back part-time, but my passion was gone. I wanted to be home with my baby!

Baby photos at home
They were so cute and tiny! Awwww… a throwback to 2015.

All in the space of around one month I started Simplify Create Inspire, quit my job, started studying to become a teacher and fell pregnant again.

The teaching thing was soon abandoned thanks to some horrendous morning sickness and falling in love all over again with our second daughter.

But the blog stayed. It shared my journey from career woman to stay-at-home mum, a dabble in network marketing and the launch of my second blog in 2015 – Four Around The World, a family travel blog.

The past several years have seen us adjust to life on a single income, and build up a secondary income through my work-from-home passions, all while on a long-term journey to simplify my life.

Quick Facts About Me

I love lists so here’s a quick one to share with you some extra tidbits about me:

  • All through high school I wanted to be a zoologist but changed to a career in psychology right before graduation
  • I am completely obsessed with the Marvel Cinematic Universe
  • We have 2 Devon Rex cats
  • I have been to 20+ countries and counting
  • Planners and stationery are my love language
  • I love heavy metal and alternative music

You won’t get the perfect minimalist home and made-up mama with fabulous hair and a Pinterest-worthy kitchen from me. You will get real life as I’m here in the trenches with you finding what works and trying to stay just a couple of steps ahead so I can help you find your simplified life too!

Less clutter, more organised and more time to live a life that you love!

Holly connors family

My Most Popular posts:


Want to collaborate? – Find out about how we can work together.

Check out my guide on how to start a lifestyle blog if you want to learn more about how you can do this too!

Tahlia Meredith

Tuesday 24th of March 2015

Hi Holly, I'm so glad I've found you through the Bloggers MBA course - your blog is right up my alley! Consider yourself followed ;)

Holly

Tuesday 24th of March 2015

Yay Tahlia, so glad to 'meet' a fellow MBA member to share the journey with. I love your blog too. We definitely seem to share some common values. Can't wait to get to know you better through the course :)

Amy @ Eat Pray Workout

Thursday 5th of March 2015

I've loved finding your blog Holly!! Looking forward to following you now :) xx

Holly

Friday 6th of March 2015

Hi Amy, glad to have you here x

Holly

Monday 9th of June 2014

Thanks so much. Email sent :)

Jodi

Tuesday 27th of May 2014

Hi Holly. I popped by after you left a lovely comment on one of my posts! I really love your blog and look forward to seeing them pop up in my reader from now on!

Holly Connors

Tuesday 27th of May 2014

Thanks Jodi. Great to have you visit :)

coffeemugsandsippycups

Tuesday 20th of May 2014

LOVE your blog!!! I have nominated you for the Liebster Award! :) Feel free to check it out and see what you think. If you aren’t interested or don’t have time to complete it, that is ok, too! :)

Holly Connors

Tuesday 20th of May 2014

Aww thanks so much lovely. So kind of you for thinking of me x