Ashlyn Slamans Ochoa

Do you want a life of meaning and purpose?

As much as I love my daughter and long for her abundant life, it’s only a fraction of God’s love and desire for me (and everyone).

For the first time, I started to truly understand that there’s never a single thing I can do to change His love for me. I can’t earn it or validate it.

All I can do is rest in it—rest in His loving arms. I’m enough just as I am—his love is sufficient.

As a woman of faith with a passion for Jesus, did you grow up believing

your purpose is found in making an impact and changing the world?

If you just nodded, then this might be true, too…

• You went on all the mission trips you could.

• You said “yes” to every volunteer opportunity.

• You sought a career or lifestyle to make a real difference.

Fast forward to today, and you’re striving to make an impact for others through your work, how you raise your kids, or both.

You're spinning all the plates. You’re staying on top of it all.

And I bet you’re praised for all your impact and effort, too. Of course, it’s impressive.

Sure, there might be a smile on your face.

But now you notice depression is manifesting itself in your body.

You ache. You’re exhausted. You don’t have time for joy or rest.

Deep down, you may even feel lonely.

Rather than seek the rest you long for, you fill your calendar with even more activities or turn to Instagram to distract yourself from your insecurity.

Suddenly, you’ve found yourself in a position with even greater pressure to achieve more for the sake of others, all the while abandoning your own needs.

In my desire for purpose, meaning, and abundant life, I looked for my identity in doing, striving, and performing. I worked for global non-profits that were changing the world.

Yet, I ignored my own desires—my own voice—and hid my mental health struggles from everyone around me.

Looking back now, I see this pursuit was where I derived my identity, love, and affirmation.

But when my newborn daughter stopped breathing in my arms, my entire world flipped upside down.

Soon, I would not only carry my daughter through her healing journey but also experience being carried by God through my own.

But something's just not right.

Friend, I've been there too.

My idea of purpose and impact flipped on its head.

I experienced a loss of sanity, career, identity, and everything I once thought gave me purpose.

Who was I if I wasn't changing the world one meeting at a time?

Deep, deep down, your God-given gut intuition screams,

“You are designed for an abundant, meaningful life!”

But somehow, all your efforts are leaving you unfulfilled.

And if someone hands you one more “self-help for Jesus” book filled with more "10 steps to freedom" you’re going to throw it across the room! (IYKYK)

I realized I can't find my identity in striving to make an impact—I can only make an impact out of my identity.

And my identity only comes from finding home in God’s nurturing, fight-for-your-life, compassionate love—a lot like the love of a mother.

Do you want a life of meaning and purpose?

As much as I love my daughter and long for her abundant life, it’s only a fraction of God’s love and desire for me (and everyone).

For the first time, I started to truly understand that there’s never a single thing I can do to change His love for me. I can’t earn it or validate it.

All I can do is rest in it—rest in His loving arms. I’m enough just as I am—his love is sufficient.

As a woman of faith with a passion for Jesus, did you grow up believing

your purpose is found in making an impact and changing the world?

If you just nodded, then this might be true, too…

• You went on all the mission trips you could.

• You said “yes” to every volunteer opportunity.

• You sought a career or lifestyle to make a real difference.

Fast forward to today, and you’re striving to make an impact for others through your work, how you raise your kids, or both.

You're spinning all the plates. You’re staying on top of it all.

And I bet you’re praised for all your impact and effort, too. Of course, it’s impressive.

Sure, there might be a smile on your face.

But now you notice depression is manifesting itself in your body.

In my desire for purpose, meaning, and abundant life, I looked for my identity in doing, striving, and performing. I worked for global non-profits that were changing the world.

But something's just not right.

Friend, I've been there too.

My idea of purpose and impact flipped on its head.

I experienced a loss of sanity, career, identity, and everything I once thought gave me purpose.

Who was I if I wasn't changing the world one meeting at a time?

Deep, deep down, your God-given gut intuition screams,

“You are designed for an abundant, meaningful life!”

But somehow, all your efforts are leaving you unfulfilled.

And if someone hands you one more “self-help for Jesus” book filled with more "10 steps to freedom" you’re going to throw it across the room! (IYKYK)

I realized I can't find my identity in striving to make an impact—I can only make an impact out of my identity.

And my identity only comes from finding home in God’s nurturing, fight-for-your-life, compassionate love—a lot like the love of a mother.

You ache. You’re exhausted. You don’t have time for joy or rest.

Deep down, you may even feel lonely.

Rather than seek the rest you long for, you fill your calendar with even more activities or turn to Instagram to distract yourself from your insecurity.

Suddenly, you’ve found yourself in a position with even greater pressure to achieve more for the sake of others, all the while abandoning your own needs.

Yet, I ignored my own desires—my ownvoice—and hid my mental health struggles from everyone around me.

Looking back now, I see this pursuit was where I derived my identity, love, and affirmation.

But when my newborn daughter stopped breathing in my arms, my entire world flipped upside down.

Soon, I would not only carry my daughter through her healing journey but also experience being carried by God through my own.

I'm excited to connect with friends just like you!

And invite you to hear real stories about the pain of losing our identity and finding it again in God’s loving arms. Whether it’s in hosted conversations on my upcoming podcast, Wholly Held, speaking on a stage, in my newsletter, or community gatherings (or in my future book!), I hope you can witness and experience God’s compassion and the abundant life of freedom He longs for you.

As we connect through our shared stories, we’ll walk through three areas of growth:

• Awareness: Identify your inner gut-knowing and explore where you’re at, where you’ve been, and how God has shown up in your life.

• Reconnection with God: Discover a new understanding of God’s love and who you are in His eyes—where you’ll find permission to rest.

• Authentic Community: Start living in step with your authentic self and God every day while making space for others and their stories.

I'm excited to connect with friends just like you!

And invite you to hear real stories about the pain of losing our identity and finding it again in God’s loving arms. Whether it’s in hosted conversations on my upcoming podcast, Wholly Held, speaking on a stage, in my newsletter, or community gatherings (or in my future book!), I hope you can witness and experience God’s compassion and the abundant life of freedom He longs for you.

As we connect through our shared stories, we’ll walk through three areas of growth:

• Awareness: Identify your inner gut-knowing and explore where you’re at, where you’ve been, and how God has shown up in your life.

• Reconnection with God: Discover a new understanding of God’s love and who you are in His eyes—where you’ll find permission to rest.

• Authentic Community: Start living in step with your authentic self and God every day while making space for others and their stories.