From Knoxville with Clarity: What I'm Taking Into Q3
No big agenda, just intentional time—with friends, mocktails, and space to breathe.
Some trips are booked for business.
Others are booked for the soul.
This one? A little of both.
I planned the weekend with intention—to be with one of my best friends. No rigid agenda. No overpacked schedule. Just presence, connection, and the kind of quality time that grounds you.
And while we technically had no plan (a big deal for two natural planners), the real plan was simple: show up. Fully. For each other.
Mocktails + Meaningful Menus
One thing we both appreciated? Exploring restaurants and bars that took mocktails seriously. Menus with intention—not just a “club soda and lime” energy.Girls’ weekends don’t have to revolve around alcohol. Ours didn’t. And we still had deep convos, belly laughs, and shared moments that felt like a toast to growth.
I am not boring. I sometimes want to experience the energy of a bar but without the hangover. Here are 3 places I recommend for Mocktails in Knoxville:
Monkey's Bar, 103 W Depot Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917
Alice in Appalachia, 18 Market Square, Knoxville, TN 37902
Farmacy, 5018 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
I’m in a season where clarity matters more than cocktails. Plus sleep. And I love discovering spaces that respect that.
I loved getting comfortable before 9pm and sleeping in.
I didn't even bring my laptop.
A Personal Reflection
Knoxville reminded me that clarity doesn't always come from “doing.” Sometimes it arrives in the pause. In the drive. In the pool, where you’re not checking your phone.
My best friend and I needed this trip. And we left with more than I expected; and desire to plan the next one.
Lessons from Q2
Q2 moved fast. Between activations, digital strategies, and a few personal resets, I had to re-learn (again) that busy doesn't equal aligned. I'm still processing this thought as I sit in my car. I am trying to be the best wife, daughter, aunt, friend, and colleague I can be. I'm doing my best. The season was super rich—but it wasn’t always clear.
Here’s what stuck:
I don’t need to explain my evolution to everyone.
Rest isn’t a reward, it’s a requirement.
Energy is a better metric than output.
What I’m Calling In for Q3
Q3 feels like a bridge—not the final destination, but a season of preparation. I’m calling in:
Deeper creative partnerships
Quiet confidence.
Space to let the vision breathe.
And more moments like Knoxville—with people who get it.
Which brings me to something I’m quietly working on…
There’s a reason this season of reflection matters.
In January 2026, I’ll be hosting a retreat for business owners, creatives, and leaders who are craving what most goal-setting weekends forget: clarity before action.
It’s not about hustle.
It’s not about pushing.
It’s about aligning before launching forward.
More details soon. But for now—if you’ve been craving space to reset with intention, you might want to keep your January calendar flexible. 😉
Q3, I’m coming in clear.
Not with a checklist, but with a grounded mindset.
Because alignment doesn’t always strike in strategy sessions.
Sometimes, it shows up in the spaces between.
Talk soon,
Marisa 🌿