In this interview, Olivia Haug opens up about her journey to motherhood, sharing how life with her husband and their dog in Southern California has shaped her values. From passing on a love of nature and simplicity to embracing lessons of resilience and emotional grounding, Olivia reflects on how she hopes to create a nurturing environment for her daughter.

Hi Olivia, please tell us a little about yourself and your family.

Hi! I’m Olivia. My beloved husband, Titus, and I live in Southern California in a tiny 1960’s cottage that’s a few miles from my husband’s favorite surf break. Titus is a surfer, musician, photographer. We live a simple life with our big dog Jag on a rustic 5acre property. 

As you prepare to meet your baby, what feels most exciting about this new chapter of life?

What feels most exciting about this new chapter is getting to introduce our daughter to the things we love. The sea, music, travel, the art of sipping good coffee, camping.

How has pregnancy shifted the way you see yourself and your priorities? What values or life lessons do you hope to pass on to your child as they grow?

Pregnancy + the journey to motherhood has definitely shifted the way that I view myself. It has uncovered something in me that maybe was always there but I didn’t fully see in myself — resilience. 

Has the journey to motherhood taught you anything unexpected about slowing down, patience, or self-care?

I have longed to be a mother ever since I was a teenager. I’ve always had this soul level of knowing that it is what I was on earth to do. My journey here, however, has been one that brought unexpected grief after we lost our first baby at 16weeks. The loss of a child shifts everything. The unimportant things that once mattered, don’t matter as much anymore. It completely changed the way that I view the world. Loss forcefully turned me into a person that is more tender, less naive, more empathetic. The path of grief is one I’d never choose for myself but I’m grateful for what it has brought out in me + the ways that it’s forced me to slow down and rest in what truly matters.

How do you imagine creating a nurturing environment for your baby in those first tender months?

I find myself daydreaming of those first few months. The moments I’ll only get to experience once for the rest of time. The first time we meet earthside, her first smile, first giggle. 

What role does nature or simplicity play in how you want to raise your child?

Our cottage is about 300 square feet so it forces us into a life of simplicity. Having excess things feels overstimulating to my nervous system. Since our home is small, we spend a lot of time outdoors on our patio. Sitting in the sun, drinking coffee, reading. 

As you think about parenthood, what’s one piece of wisdom you’ve received that has stayed with you?

As I’ve grown in self discovery, something that has stuck with me is the importance of emotional regulation. I once heard that parents are the emotional regulators of the home, they set the temperature. Learning to stay grounded + centered in moments of emotional chaos is a quality that I hope to carry into parenthood. 

Why do you feel drawn to choosing natural, organic products - whether in clothing, food, or everyday life - especially now as a mother?

Over the last 5 years, as I’ve learned more, we’ve become a nontoxic household with little to no hormone disruptors. After we lost our first baby, I dove deep into the world of fabric and the impact that synthetic fabrics have on our nervous system and our health. I cleaned out our closets and began focusing on natural fibers. Energetically, I immediately noticed a difference in myself and how grounded I felt.

What do you hope your baby experiences when wrapped in soft, natural fabrics for the first time?

My prayer for my baby is that her nervous system feels centered and at ease in natural fibers. 

Do you see parenthood as an extension of the mindful, conscious lifestyle you already lead?

Absolutely - my husband and I have always had the mindset of inviting our kids into the life that we’ve already created, not abandoning ourselves and our own passions. Instead, inviting our kids into our world. 

Thank you Olivia!