With summer rolling in and the chaos of life about to reach maximum volume, there’s a lot to unpack about the different seasons we find ourselves in. Who needs a Pinterest-perfect summer bucket list when you can embrace the glorious chaos of your actual reality? Whatever season of life you are in, it matters – and it shapes how we show up for ourselves and our families.
The episode isn’t just a checklist of summer activities; it’s a heartfelt reminder to pause and really consider what we need.
Episode Highlights
- Naming your current season is super important because it actually affects how you show up every day!
- With summer chaos in full swing, let’s ditch the autopilot mode and move through it with intention instead.
- Remember: whether you’re wrangling tiny humans or enjoying some peace and quiet, you’re doing meaningful work, and that’s what counts.
Resources Mentioned
Related Episodes You Might Also Like
- EP 12 – Summer Survival Tips for Work-at-Home Moms
- EP 17 – Identifying Priorities as a Work-at-Home Mom
- EP 26 – Conquering Your Insecurities with Jenn Schultz
- EP 41 – Are You Sleepwalking Through Life?
- EP 55 – Breathing Room: How Stepping Back Makes You a Better Mom
Connect with Rachel
- Website: racheldbaker.com
- Instagram: @rachel.d.baker
- Email: rachel@racheldbaker.com
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Transcript
You're listening to the podcast where we ask, how's all that working for you?
Speaker A:Because sometimes all you need to change your life is a moment of reflection.
Speaker A:In this space, we are done with sugarcoating, and we embrace keeping it real.
Speaker A:I'm your host, Rachel D.
Speaker A:Baker, guiding you on this journey to create some breathing room, set healthy boundaries, and reclaim your time guilt free.
Speaker A:This is real talk with a bit of sass, and we are always seeking the truth in God's word.
Speaker A:Ladies, the summer season is already upon us.
Speaker A:The weather is heating up.
Speaker A:The kids are out of school, or they will be soon.
Speaker A:And suddenly, everything in life is sticky, loud, chaotic.
Speaker A:Daily rhythms and routines have flown out the window, and everybody's just doing their daily best.
Speaker A:Now, listen, I am not here to give you a summer bucket list or a Pinterest perfect routine.
Speaker A:I am here to offer you something better.
Speaker A:A moment to pause and actually recognize the season that you are in.
Speaker A:Because here's the deal.
Speaker A:If you're parenting a baby or a toddler, your summer is going to look wildly different than someone who's parenting a teenager or somebody with no kids, or somebody with fur babies or adult kids who are now out in the world living their lives.
Speaker A:So let's talk about it.
Speaker A:Let's talk about capacity, about expectations, and about how we can move through this summer with intention instead of just plowing on through on autopilot, hoping that we survive without completely losing our minds.
Speaker A:Does anybody else feel like that?
Speaker A:I'm trying to avoid it.
Speaker A:And there's this sneaky little lie that floats around every summer, and it sounds a lot like she has the same 24 hours as you.
Speaker A:Stop it.
Speaker A:No, she does not.
Speaker A:That mama on Instagram posting cute beach pics with five kids in their matching outfits.
Speaker A:She might have help.
Speaker A:Or maybe she's not showing you the part where she cried in the minivan because everybody was fighting.
Speaker A:The woman you are comparing yourself to might not be in the same season as you.
Speaker A:She might not be potty training or navigating teen hormones or working full time while caregiving for a parent.
Speaker A:So first, I want us to stop and name the current season.
Speaker A:Stop.
Speaker A:Name your current season.
Speaker A:Really?
Speaker A:Name it.
Speaker A:Are you in the diaper bag years?
Speaker A:Are you in the carpool chaos years?
Speaker A:Or the solo summer with your goldendoodle?
Speaker A:Whatever it is, it matters.
Speaker A:And it significantly affects how you show up.
Speaker A:You're not behind.
Speaker A:You're not broken.
Speaker A:You're just living a real life in a real season.
Speaker A:So let's break it down, because every stage has its own blend of magic and mayhem.
Speaker A:If you're parenting littles, you are in a season of sticky fingers, right?
Speaker A:Endless snacks, being someone's full time jungle gym.
Speaker A:And the joy is seeing the world through their wonder.
Speaker A:Watching them experience new things as they learn and as they grow.
Speaker A:But the challenge.
Speaker A:You have zero personal space.
Speaker A:Piles of laundry and dishes multiply overnight and you've got very little sleep.
Speaker A:You are doing sacred work, Mama.
Speaker A:And it's also exhausting.
Speaker A:Now, if you've got teens or middle schoolers, the conversations can go deeper and you can see glimpses of who they're becoming, which is amazing.
Speaker A:But also, can we be real?
Speaker A:The emotional whiplash here is intense.
Speaker A:One minute they need you and the next minute they act like you are working with the devil himself to ruin their lives forever.
Speaker A:Everything is your fault.
Speaker A:Hang in there.
Speaker A:I'm gonna hang in there with you.
Speaker A:I'm right there with you in this season and we can do this.
Speaker A:And if you're not parenting kids right now, you still matter in this conversation.
Speaker A:There is a joy in the freedom of not wrangling smaller humans or navigating teen angst 24 7.
Speaker A:Your rhythms are different and maybe your challenges are more internal.
Speaker A:Loneliness, feeling overlooked, or hearing people assume you have more time just because you're not juggling kids.
Speaker A:Your season is real too.
Speaker A:Here's the question I want you to ask.
Speaker A:What do I need in this season?
Speaker A:Genuinely sit with this one a minute.
Speaker A:Allow yourself a moment to consider it.
Speaker A:Do you need more rest?
Speaker A:Less scrolling, more connection, less pressure?
Speaker A:Now ask, what do my kids need?
Speaker A:Because they're not one size fits all either.
Speaker A:Some need structure.
Speaker A:Others need freedom.
Speaker A:Some need one on one time.
Speaker A:Others just need snacks and a screen for an hour so you can breathe.
Speaker A:And that's okay.
Speaker A:This is where my free permission slip printable, can really be helpful.
Speaker A:I've got it linked in the show notes, so grab that if you haven't already.
Speaker A:This is one of my favorite tools to get out of that overwhelm spiral and into a place of peace.
Speaker A:You can write things like I give myself permission to rest without guilt.
Speaker A:I give my child permission to be bored.
Speaker A:I give our family permission to say no to one more thing.
Speaker A:Stick it on your fridge.
Speaker A:Use it in your journal.
Speaker A:Print one out for your older kids or teens to fill out too.
Speaker A:It can open the door to some powerful conversations about what they really need this summer.
Speaker A:And here's the part where I give you a little tough love, because you know that's what I'm here for.
Speaker A:Please, please don't autopilot your way through summer.
Speaker A:Take a few minutes today, just a few little handful of minutes, and ask what season am I in?
Speaker A:What do I actually want this summer to feel like?
Speaker A:What are we saying yes to?
Speaker A:What's the priority and what needs a big fat nope?
Speaker A:That's allowed too.
Speaker A:You don't need a perfect plan, but you do need a perspective check.
Speaker A:And I'm always going to go back to the Book of Lamentations, chapter 3, verses 22 to 23 they say the Lord's mercies are new every morning.
Speaker A:That means even if yesterday was chaotic, today you get a fresh start.
Speaker A:You get to try again.
Speaker A:Grace is not rationed.
Speaker A:Did you know that?
Speaker A:It's not limited.
Speaker A:It is renewed and given freely by a God who loves you deeply.
Speaker A:So whether you are living that minivan life, the teenage door slam life, the puppy potty training life, or the quiet summer solo life, this episode is your reminder.
Speaker A:You are not alone.
Speaker A:You are seen.
Speaker A:You are doing holy, meaningful work, even when it feels messy.
Speaker A:And to an extent, you get to decide what that looks like on a daily basis, being intentional about living within your actual current season.
Speaker A:You can grab that free permission slip printable at the link in the show notes and I would love to hear how you are using it.
Speaker A:Shoot me a DM on Instagram or email me.
Speaker A:I always read them and it makes my day.
Speaker A:Until next time.
Speaker A:Don't forget to breathe, don't forget to check in with your season, and don't forget that you are deeply loved right where you are.