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Updated: Nov 7, 2024

In the pursuit of motherhood and mastery, I've come to realize a truth that both reassures and challenges me: not all days are good days. Not every day is balanced, and sometimes, despite our best intentions, things feel chaotic.


But as much as I might feel overwhelmed, I know I'm not failing.


The Myth of Perfect Balance

For a long time, I held onto the idea that a perfect balance was not only achievable but essential. The truth, however, is that there is no single formula for balance. Some days, work takes precedence; other days, family comes first. Sometimes, my own needs are tucked into the corners of a busy schedule. And that's okay. Balance isn’t a daily achievement; it’s the sum of many imperfect days, where each piece falls into place over time.


Reaching the Point of Overwhelm

There are days when the load feels unbearably heavy. When responsibilities at work collide with family needs, and my personal goals seem to get buried under it all. These are the moments that test me the most. I’ve learned that when I reach the point of overwhelm, it’s a sign that I need to pause, breathe, and reset, rather than push forward blindly. Overwhelm doesn't mean failure; it’s a call to reassess and reprioritize.


Pushing On with Purpose

In those overwhelming moments, the instinct to keep pushing might feel exhausting, yet it's vital. It’s not about ignoring exhaustion or pretending everything is fine; it’s about taking a step back, allowing space for rest and recovery, and then moving forward with intention. What matters is that I keep going, even if my pace slows. That’s what resilience looks like—pushing on without needing to be perfect.


Finding Strength in the Struggle

The journey of balancing motherhood and career isn’t easy, and it doesn’t need to be. What makes it fulfilling is the growth that comes from those imperfect moments. Every day that I push on through the struggle, I build a strength that no easy day could offer.


Remembering: Struggling is Not Failing

I remind myself often that struggling is part of the process. It’s proof that I’m showing up, that I care, and that I'm putting in the effort even when things are hard. Struggling is not failing; it’s simply another step in a journey that’s worth every ounce of effort. And someday, I hope my kids will look back and see that even in the hard times, I kept moving forward.


To anyone else on this path—know that it's okay to struggle. It's okay to feel tired, overwhelmed, and uncertain. Just remember: every time you push on, you're not failing; you're growing.


Updated: Nov 7, 2024

There’s a saying I often hold close: What you are not changing, you are choosing. It’s a reminder that life isn’t just something that happens to us; it’s something we participate in, actively or passively. People sometimes believe they’ve been dealt a bad hand, and that life’s hurdles are simply unavoidable. But in my experience, this perspective limits our potential and undermines the strength we have to shape our circumstances.


In everything from motherhood to career and wellness, we’re often presented with moments where we either lean into change or surrender to stagnation. The choices aren’t always easy—they can even feel downright impossible at times—but small shifts, made consciously, have an incredible way of turning into real transformations.


The Subtle Choice in Relationships

Relationships are such a rich part of our lives, but they’re also challenging. The comfort of familiarity can sometimes trap us in dynamics that aren’t nourishing. Choosing change doesn’t always mean letting go of people; it might mean reimagining how we connect with them. A small adjustment, like sharing an honest feeling or setting a boundary, can create space for a relationship to evolve into something more fulfilling.


And while it’s difficult to take those steps, staying where we are can be just as challenging. It’s helpful to remember that not changing is still a choice—a choice to accept things as they are. Sometimes, choosing to change a relationship, even in the smallest ways, is a powerful act of love for ourselves and the people around us.


Finances: Shifting from Scarcity to Abundance

Money is such a loaded topic for so many of us, often wrapped up in inherited beliefs and fears. Many people feel stuck in their financial situations, feeling as if their goals are too far out of reach. But over time, I’ve come to see that by changing even one habit or belief, like focusing on budgeting, saving, or even exploring income opportunities, we invite abundance in place of scarcity.


This doesn’t mean we need to change everything overnight. Instead, it’s about choosing to start somewhere, however small. By not challenging our existing beliefs or habits, we might be choosing to stay in that familiar scarcity mindset. It’s a choice, one we’re empowered to shift if we’re ready.


Health and Wellness: A Collection of Tiny Choices

In the whirlwind of motherhood and career demands, prioritizing health often falls to the wayside. But I’ve learned, especially through my commitment to Pilates, that wellness is built on a collection of small choices, repeated consistently. Choosing to move our bodies, nourish ourselves with wholesome food, and protect our rest is how we take back control over our physical and mental well-being.


Without these intentional choices, it’s easy to feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or exhausted. But by seeing each small health decision as a positive change, we become more attuned to the power we hold in shaping our health and well-being.


Business and Career: Choosing Growth, Not Comfort

In business, much like in motherhood, we’re constantly faced with decisions about where we’re headed. Growth requires stepping out of the comfort zone, tackling the unfamiliar, and letting go of methods that may no longer serve our purpose. At the same time, choosing to challenge ourselves means we’re not simply sticking with “what works” but are opening ourselves to the possibility of something better, something meaningful.


Each step outside of our comfort zone might feel like a leap, but by choosing to grow, we actively participate in shaping our career journeys.


Change as a Gentle Act of Self-Compassion

Choosing change is an act of self-compassion. It means acknowledging where we are, recognizing our strengths and limitations, and still opting to move forward in whatever ways we can. Change doesn’t have to be a monumental shift; often, it’s the accumulation of gentle, consistent choices that moves us toward the lives we envision.


The truth is, we may not always have control over life’s challenges, but we do have the power to shape our responses. When we remember that what we are not changing, we are choosing, we reclaim our agency in this journey. Life might not always hand us the cards we want, but we have more say in how we play them than we may realize.


In almost nine years of marriage and fourteen years together, my husband and I have experienced the powerful blend of personal and professional partnership. It’s often assumed that mixing work with marriage is a fast track to friction, but for us, it’s been a journey of growth, harmony, and discovering deeper facets of each other.


We’ve learned that personal and professional synergy isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential for achieving our shared dreams. Here’s what’s worked for us and how we've nurtured our goals to build a relationship that thrives on growth and connection.


1. Define (and Respect) Each Other’s Strengths

At the heart of working well together is understanding each other’s unique strengths. Recognizing that each of us brings different skills to the table has been transformative. For example, while I might be more detail-oriented and focused on strategic planning, my husband brings creativity and the ability to think on his feet. Embracing these differences allows us to support one another, rather than compete. We’ve come to trust each other’s judgments in these areas, giving each of us the space to excel.


Takeaway: Identify your partner’s strengths, appreciate them, and rely on them. When you let each other shine in your natural domains, you both flourish.


2. Set Shared Goals and Stay Flexible

Marriage and business are both about shared goals. Early on, we set the intention to grow together, aligning our dreams with one another. But we’ve also learned that the journey isn’t linear, and sometimes, what we originally planned doesn’t turn out to be exactly what we want or need. Flexibility has been crucial; we adjust our goals and strategies when necessary, but our commitment to mutual growth remains steadfast.


Takeaway: Regularly discuss and reassess your shared goals, making room for flexibility as you evolve as individuals and as partners.


3. Create Boundaries – and Honor Them

One of the biggest challenges in working together is defining boundaries. We made a pact to maintain time and space for family and personal connection, separate from the demands of work. When we shut the laptop or step away from a meeting, we’re back to being a married couple, parents, and best friends. Clear boundaries prevent the lines from blurring and keep our relationship healthy and balanced.


Takeaway: Carve out space for your relationship outside of work. This way, you nurture both your partnership and your productivity.


4. Celebrate Wins – Big and Small

Whether it’s a work milestone, a family achievement, or simply making it through a tough week, we make it a point to celebrate. These moments keep us connected to our shared goals and remind us why we’re on this journey together. Every win, no matter how small, reinforces the strength of our partnership.


Takeaway: Celebrate often. Remind yourselves of the reasons behind your hard work, and allow joy to flow from the achievements you reach together.


5. Commit to Growing Individually and as a Team

Mutual growth only happens when both individuals are committed to their own personal growth. We support each other’s ambitions and respect the time and space needed for personal development. This investment in ourselves makes us stronger as a team. When each person is thriving individually, the relationship naturally blossoms.


Takeaway: Nurture your own growth and cheer each other on. Investing in your own journey strengthens the bond you share.


Final Thoughts

Fourteen years together has taught us that working with your spouse isn’t just about logistics or roles—it’s about fostering a partnership that supports growth, resilience, and joy. It’s a continual journey, balancing personal ambitions with shared goals and learning to embrace each other’s strengths along the way.


Through the ups and downs, we’ve come to understand that our greatest achievements are those we accomplish together. Our personal and professional partnership isn’t just a relationship—it’s a journey of mutual mastery, driven by love, respect, and a commitment to each other’s success.

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