From Leaning In to Surviving and Thriving

In 2013, Sheryl Sandberg's idea of "leaning in" was inescapable. It was a new brand of feminism for corporate life, for companies large and small.

This was a world before TikTok, when Jack Dorsey owned Twitter. "Blurred Lines" was the hit of the summer, and the first Frozen movie was the cultural phenomenon every parent couldn't escape. Argo won the Oscar for Best Picture. Americans had stress in that pre-Covid, post-9/11 world, but it was a specific brand of stress, mostly hustle culture, mostly aspirational. It gave way to fitness brands like SoulCycle, whose gym-meets-Hollywood branding fit into the era like a hand in a glove.

And now? After Covid, after everything, thriving means something slightly different than leaning in.

It doesn't mean being inefficient. It doesn't mean a SoulCycle class isn't still fun. It's more about living differently, slower, more consciously, more attuned to what's actually necessary versus what we've been told should matter.

At Shop Purple Umbrella, we've built our offering around women who want to explore how to set up conscious, comfortable routines at home. Here are five of our favorite products right now for doing exactly that:

1. Navy Blue Embroidered Full-Zip Hoodie The kind of hoodie you reach for without thinking. This hoodie is embroidered with the Wordsworth quote "The world is too much with us" in small white thread. The detail makes it feel intentional, more than ordinary. Designed in the USA.

2. Women's Flared Lounge Pants – Soft Modal Stretch Modal is one of those fabrics that just gets it. It moves with you, doesn't cling, and somehow manages to look more elevated than regular sweats. The flare keeps them from feeling too tight or too baggy—just right.

3. Midnight Garden Candle – Lavender, Rosemary, Geranium Herbal without being medicinal, grounding without putting you to sleep. This is the candle you light when you're actually home, not performing "self-care" for anyone. Lavender, rosemary, and geranium feel like evening air in a garden you wish you had. Made in the USA

4. Artist Cork Yoga Block Starter Set Cork blocks that actually look good sitting out. They're sturdy, sustainable, and designed by an artist.  They don't scream "gym equipment" when you leave them by your mat. A small thing that makes home practice feel more intentional. Designed in the USA

5. Striped Yoga Mat in PER A yoga mat that is eco-friendly and designed by an artist in the USA.  The stripes give it visual interest, and the design detail means it feels less like workout gear and more like something you'd actually want in your space.