Courtney Cecil – the Founder and CEO of Working Moms Movement – coaches overwhelmed working moms on how to find more time and manage their stress. If you are looking for ways to productively manage your to-do list so you have more time for what you love, you can learn how at www.workingmomsmovement.com/todo.

You Deserve Summer Energy Year Round (Even if You’re Not Holding a Margarita)

By: Courtney Cecil

Summer’s summering. “Party in the USA” is cranked, flip flops appear in every corner of your house, and your fridge now hosts more chilled beverages than actual meals…you know, the season when rosé becomes its own food group.

For me, nothing says bliss like early mornings paddle boarding on Lake Norman. Maybe for you, it’s reading on the porch, hiking with friends, or just not packing school lunches for a blessed few month. Summer brings out the best in humanity…people are friendlier, we high-five strangers, and even the bugs seem to buzz with less hostility.

But here’s the million-dollar question:

Why do we wait for summer to do the things that light us up?

When I ask my (usually exhausted) clients – working moms, I’m looking at you – the answer is always the same: “There’s just not enough time.”

Okay, friend. I hear you. Time is precious. And fleeting. Like the last popsicle in the freezer.

But I know some pretty bad@$$ women who manage to crush it at work, be present with their kids, get in a solid skincare routine, and still make space for hobbies they actually enjoy. They don’t have more hours in the day. They’re just ruthless with their priorities. And that’s the magic.

So no, you don’t need to depend on sunshine and summer Fridays to live your best life. Here’s how you start NOW:

  1. Identify – then double down on – your priorities. Your time, energy, and money follow your values. Make sure they’re not just chasing errands and carpool duty.
  2. Stop confusing your “wish list” with your “to-do list.” “Paint the guest room” doesn’t belong next to “Pay mortgage.” One is aspirational. The other is… eviction prevention.
  3. Prioritize fun today!!! Tomorrow will be busy too. So is next Tuesday. Put joy on the calendar now. Bonus points if it involves snacks. 😉
  4. Put first things first. Schedule your fun before everything else. Yes, even before laundry. Actually, especially before laundry!
  5. Outsource the no-fun stuff. If folding fitted sheets doesn’t spark joy, it’s time to delegate. (To a partner, a teenager, a TaskRabbit…anyone brave enough!)

If you’re reading this, you probably have a touch of perfectionism (hi, me too). But listen: you don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. Some things can wait. Some can be a B-minus effort. And some shouldn’t be your responsibility to begin with.

This is your friendly PSA to stop waiting for a season to prioritize yourself.

You’re worth the joy. Year-round. Margarita optional.

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