
It’s noon, and your stomach is growling.
But, instead of taking a break, you find yourself hunched over your laptop, shoving a cold sandwich into your mouth. You glance at the clock, feeling the pressure of deadlines looming, and the thought of stepping away from your desk feels like a luxury you can’t afford.
This scene is all too familiar for many of us.
As mom entrepreneurs, we juggle countless responsibilities — from school drop-offs to conference calls. With so much on our plates, it’s easy to fall into the trap of eating lunch at our desks, barely pausing for a moment to recharge.
But, listen…carving out time for yourself during the day is not just a nice-to-have, but a crucial element for your overall well-being and productivity.
Today we are talking about why prioritizing time for yourself makes a world of difference in your day and how you can create the space to invest it in yourself, even if the world doesn’t stop spinning.
The Power of Pausing
Many of us believe that skipping lunch or squeezing in bites between tasks is a sign of productivity. I used to think that too. It’s our natural instinct to push through when we feel overwhelmed, with the idea that it will feel better to just get it done.
This constant state of busyness can lead to burnout and delivering work that isn’t our best. Instead of fueling our bodies and minds, we end up operating on empty.
When we try to push through our day without pausing, we’re actually losing out on so much, like:
Mental clarity: Struggling to see the bigger picture and may miss out on innovative ideas or solutions that could propel projects forward
Creativity: Limiting the brain’s ability to form new connections and think outside the box
Emotional resilience: Risking feeling overwhelmed, reactive, and less capable of handling challenges
Quality of relationships: Neglecting relationships with family, friends, and colleagues Productivity: Becoming less efficient and more prone to mistakes
We must recognize how much power is in pause.
"In the quiet moments, the answers we seek often reveal themselves."
I remember doing word searches with my son, Cameron and…I got stuck. So, I got up from the table and walked away, did something else and then came back. And as soon as I sat down, I found the word. This simple act of taking a break allowed me to return with fresh eyes.
When we pause, we allow ourselves to clear out the frantic energy and approach our tasks with a renewed perspective. This is especially vital when it comes to problem-solving.
As I emphasize to my clients, we should never respond to an urgent message within two minutes. Instead, take a moment to breathe, process your feelings, and then respond from a place of calm.
But how can we create those moments of stillness and self-care in our jam-packed days? Here’s how:
1. Designing a Productive Schedule
We first need to consider how we structure our schedules.
A key point I stress is sleep. Prioritizing sleep allows us to function at our best. For me, my sleep schedule is 9 PM to 5 AM, giving me two hours of uninterrupted time before my kids wake up and two hours after they go to bed. This routine supports my overall wellness and helps me feel balanced.
It’s all too easy to sacrifice sleep for work or family obligations, but sleep is the most important thing for our overall health and wellbeing. To avoid falling into this trap, we must create a schedule that respects our basic human needs and makes self-care non-negotiable.
Take a moment to evaluate your current schedule. Identify the times you can prioritize your sleep and create boundaries around those hours. Set a goal to consistently stick to a sleep routine for at least one week.
Consider also implementing a daily “shutdown” routine—perhaps a brief wind-down period before bed, where you step away from screens and engage in calming activities like reading or meditating. This will help signal to your body that it’s time to rest, enhancing the quality of your sleep.
2. Setting Boundaries
To successfully reclaim time for yourself in the day, it’s essential to set boundaries.
Many of us feel guilty about stepping away from our work, fearing that it will lead to falling behind. But setting boundaries actually creates space for you to be more productive.
Start by blocking out time on your calendar for your lunch break like you would any work meeting (Event name: Important Meeting With My Food).
One of my clients decided to implement a rule for herself: “I will not eat at my desk anymore.”This small change transformed her day. She began using her lunch breaks to step away from work, even if just for a short time, which allowed her to return to her tasks with renewed energy.
Communicate your plan to your team and family so they understand and support your commitment to self-care. Have your kids remind you that you’re done working at 5 pm if they see you doing that. Let them help hold you accountable. This way, you’ll find it easier to stick to your goals. 3. Finding Joy in the Moment
During your lunch break, focus on what truly nourishes you. Whether it’s going for a walk, reading a book, or enjoying a hobby, find what helps you disconnect.
When we take these moments to step away from our work, we give ourselves the chance to reconnect with what makes us happy. You’ll be surprised at how much a little joy can fuel your motivation and creativity when you return to your tasks.
BONUS: Connecting During Your Lunch Break
If possible, use some of this time to connect with colleagues, friends or a group of other women who just get you (*cough cough* see what The Freedom Collective is like), whether in person or virtually. Having those conversations can remind you that you’re not alone in your journey.
Building a support network can be incredibly empowering. Sharing experiences, challenges, and successes with others can help ease the weight of the daily grind.
Your Break is Your Investment
Ending desk lunches isn’t just taking a break; it’s about investing in yourself.
When you prioritize self-care, you’re not only improving your overall physical well-being but also enhancing your productivity and focus. Taking these steps will help you to create the space to pause and give yourself a break even on the busiest of days.
I work with mom entrepreneurs to cultivate strategies for self-care and productivity, so you can thrive in both your business and personal life. Want to know more? Book a free call with me! It might just be the first step toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.
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