Last Saturday, after hopping on the peloton for a quick ride, I was quickly packing for our family spring break trip to South Florida while simultaneously answering a few emails, doing laundry, cleaning up the house, and trying to remember if I’d actually packed anything for myself.
I’ve given up on the unicorn vacation where everything would be fun for my kids AND restful for me – but I’ll be honest, sometimes I still get sucked into the allure. (Anyone else?) Maybe one day…
But as any mom knows, family vacations with young kids are rarely restful. Our son woke up at 3:30 AM on day one… and did NOT go back to sleep! Because of course he didn’t.
By day two, I was already exhausted from the constant go-go-go of boat rides, beach trips, and catching up with old friends. I found myself getting snippy and then feeling guilty about it. The classic mom spiral.
I tried all the usual fixes – staying up a little late to “decompress” (hello, exhaustion), cramming in as many activities as possible to “make the most of it” (cue overwhelm), and putting on a happy face while silently seething inside (resentment party of one). None of it worked, and I just felt worse.
Day three breakthrough.
I realized I hadn’t taken a single moment for myself since we arrived. I told my family I needed 30 minutes alone for a workout. Just 30 minutes. And damn, what a difference it made.
That small ask completely transformed that day and was a great reminder to continue asking for what I need. Not what I should want, but what I actually need.
It was a reminder to ask for it, ask often, and ask for it unapologetically.
The moral of the story
Even small pockets of time that honor YOUR needs can completely transform your experience as a mom. Here’s the truth – those 30 minutes weren’t just about exercise. They were about claiming space for myself, remembering I exist as a person outside of “mom,” and giving myself permission to prioritize my well-being without the weight of guilt. It’s something I practice regularly at home and am working on for vacations, too!
But I’ve realized something–so many moms I work with are waiting for some magical day when they’ll have “enough time” to focus on themselves – maybe when the kids are older, or during summer vacation, or when that big work project ends. But the reality is, time freedom doesn’t come from having more hours in the day. It comes from intentionally claiming the time you already have, even in small increments, and protecting it fiercely.
Luckily, this is where my Time Freedom Course comes in.
Through my ALIGN Method, I’ll show you exactly how to:
- Audit your current schedule to find those hidden pockets of time
- Learn about what truly energizes you (hint: scrolling Instagram probably isn’t it)
- Integrate your values to create a True Yes Framework for making decisions.
- Guide yourself toward an ideal week that honors ALL your roles – including YOU.
- Navigate the inevitable chaos with sustainable habits.
My clients consistently report that they’ve found 3-5 hours per week they didn’t know they had, all while feeling less guilty and more energized. And the best part? Those hours aren’t filled with more “have to’s” – they’re dedicated to “want to’s” that actually refill your cup.
P.S. Ready to stop waiting for that mythical “someday” when you’ll have more time? Let’s start creating your time freedom today.
