Some seasons feel slow, quiet, and still—like winter. Others are bursting with energy, full of ideas and movement, like spring. I’ve come to see both motherhood and running a business in the same way. Neither is meant to be lived at full speed all the time. Just like nature, we go through cycles. There are seasons of building, seasons of waiting, seasons of growth, and seasons of rest.

For years, I fought against this. I thought success meant always moving forward, always producing, always keeping up. But motherhood has a way of shifting your perspective. Some seasons, my kids need me more, and my business slows. Other times, they’re happily lost in their own world, and I get to dive into my work. I no longer expect myself to always be at 100%—because nobody can be. Instead, I’ve learned to embrace the ebb and flow of both roles, allowing them to shape each other in ways that feel natural, not forced.

Rather than chasing an impossible idea of balance, I focus on rhythm. In our home, our days follow a gentle flow—one that holds space for homeschooling, family time, and my work. It’s not about strict schedules or perfectly planned days. It’s about knowing the small things that keep us grounded. That doesn’t mean my house is always calm—I promise it’s far from it.

With three wild boys, it’s often loud and chaotic. My oldest, my daughter, is more calm and collected, often by my side, helping me navigate the whirlwind of energy that fills our home.

I’ve found that when we have a rhythm, everything feels a little smoother. It helps me prioritize, knowing that my time is limited. Instead of stressing over all the things I could be doing, I focus on what has to get done.

Over the years, I’ve become really clear about what matters most in my business. My long-form content comes first, then emails, then social media. Showing up behind the scenes on Instagram is something I enjoy, but I no longer pressure myself to be constantly visible. Because even when I’m not posting, my business is still moving forward.

And here’s the truth: I don’t have to keep up with business owners who have more time to devote to their work. My path looks different because my priorities are different. And that’s okay.

Motherhood has always come first for me. The small moments, the everyday rituals—these are the things I know I’ll never get back. I have my whole life to work on my business, but I only get to raise my kids once. This chapter of their childhood is fleeting, and I want to be present for it. Not just physically, but fully—soaking in the messy, beautiful moments that fill our days.

February was an interesting month. Compared to January, which felt really steady and predictable, February came with its own set of challenges and triumphs. My goal for the month was to consistently run four miles while also focusing on increasing my speed. Some days, I felt strong—like I could push myself to a faster pace and even sprinkle in some sprint training. Other days, I felt exhausted, like my body was resisting every step, and finishing four miles felt nearly impossible.

One of the biggest mindset shifts I had this month was thinking more about marathon training. I started experimenting with a new running approach that seemed to work well for me: running 0.90 of a mile at a faster pace and then walking the last 0.10 to slow my heart rate before repeating the cycle. This gave me the confidence to push myself while still maintaining some level of control over my endurance. I found that I could sustain speeds between 6.5 and 7.5 MPH (about an 8:00-9:00 minute mile pace) for those bursts. It felt challenging but doable, and it gave me hope that I might be able to apply a similar strategy for longer runs.

But then, the last week of February hit, and my energy levels completely tanked. It was one of those weeks where everything felt harder—not just running, but balancing work, motherhood, and life in general.

Most of the time, I feel like I have a decent amount of energy, but I definitely had a few days where I was straight-up burned out. And I want to share that here because it’s easy to scroll through posts online and assume that everyone else has this magical, perfectly balanced life where everything just flows seamlessly. I promise mine is not that way. With four kids—three of them boys, one of them a younger (and more stubborn) version of myself—my hands are full. Really, really full.

So, instead of forcing myself to push through at the same speed, I decided to shift gears and embrace a slower pace. And to my surprise, it actually felt amazing. Running at 5 MPH (about a 12:00-minute mile pace) was something I could sustain without breathing heavily or sending my heart rate soaring. It felt natural, like something I could actually maintain over a long period of time.

That realization led me to an unexpected milestone.

On the last Friday of the month, I set out for a long run with one goal: to take it slow and steady and see how far I could go without stopping. And, to my surprise, I made it 7.5 miles—the farthest I’ve ever run.

There were a few hiccups along the way, like the treadmill automatically stopping my workout at the 5-mile mark (cue minor frustration), but I restarted, sipped some water, and kept going. My original goal was to hit 9 miles, and I honestly think I could have done it, but then the childcare staff at the gym called me because one of my little ones refused to clean up the toy blocks. So, I wrapped up at 7.5 miles and called it a win. Jumped in the pool to cool off and finished relaxing for a few min in the sauna.

And it really was a win. Not just because of the number, but because of how I felt. The run felt good. It felt sustainable. And for the first time, I felt like running a long distance wasn’t just something I was working toward—it was something I was capable of doing.

Looking back, I think all the faster running I did earlier in the month helped build my strength and endurance in ways I didn’t realize at the time. Those speed sessions—where I pushed myself past my comfort zone—made my slower-paced runs feel so much easier in comparison. And that’s something I’ll carry with me into March: the understanding that balance is everything. Some days will be about speed. Some days will be about endurance. Some days will just be about showing up, even when I don’t feel like it.

Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship has always been challenging but incredibly rewarding. The precious moments with my 4 children have taught me that being present is more valuable than any business milestone.

Curious about the secret that makes it all possible?

It might surprise you.

Sixteen years ago, I embarked on the exhilarating journey of entrepreneurship with a newborn sleeping in my arms. It was a chaotic dance between naptimes and business calls, between diaper changes and client meetings. I remember feeling like a tightrope walker, balancing precariously between the demands of motherhood and the relentless drive to grow my business. 

Fast forward to today, and I’m back in a similar place, only this time, I have two more little ones filling our home with laughter and a whole lot of chaos.

Starting a business with young children was, and still is, a balancing act. In those early days, it often felt like I was being pulled in a million directions. My two older kids, now 11 and 15, were once tiny beings who needed my constant attention. 

I juggled snack time, playtimes, and sleepless nights while trying to carve out a space for my business to thrive. It wasn’t easy, but it was a journey that shaped me as both a mother and an entrepreneur.

Now, with my older ones off pursuing their passions and my two little ones keeping me on my toes, I am acutely aware of how quickly time passes. 

It feels like just yesterday I was holding my firstborn’s tiny hand, and now I’m watching her navigate life, working 40+ hours doing something she loves. These fleeting moments with my children are precious, and I cherish every second. I know that soon enough, my house will be quieter, and the demands of motherhood will shift.

In this season of life, my office time has become a rare luxury. I adore my beautiful workspace, but I’ve learned that being present with my children is far more valuable than any business milestone. The hours I spend with them, building sand castles or making up bedtime stories, are moments I will never get back. My big ideas and ambitious plans for my business might take a little longer to achieve, but that’s okay. This is what feels right for me now.

Creating a Business That Works for You

One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned over the years is the importance of setting up a business that doesn’t require me to be chained to my desk. Even while I’m at home enjoying family time or working on our historic home, my business continues to generate income. This has been the key for me, and it’s something I’m excited to share more about with others.

By setting up ads that drive traffic to my business, I’ve been able to step away from the constant grind of social media and focus more on what truly matters. 

This approach has allowed me to maintain a steady income without sacrificing those irreplaceable moments at home with my children.