The Most Wonderful… Overwhelming… Magical… Exhausting Time of Year
December always sneaks up on working moms like it’s a group project we definitely didn’t sign up for — but are somehow still the project manager of. I’m living that paradox in real time.
In the next two weeks, I’m flying to Tampa to present to a room of 1,000 people, coming back home for about 2.5 seconds, then heading right back to Florida for Christmas with my family. A few days later? Newport Beach for work. Add in:
• negotiating school spirit days
• remembering who still needs gifts
• wrapping approximately eight million teacher presents
• emotionally sponsoring the entire household’s holiday experience
…AND also finalizing the cover for my book so it can come out in a couple months.
(Working title: I’m fine, this is fine, everything’s totally fine.) JK. It’s Lead Anyway: The Glow-Up Guide to Leadership that’s Real, Not Perfect.
Here’s the wild part: I’m excited. Truly.
The travel, the professional growth, the sunshine, the chance to sit in rooms where big conversations happen — this is the part of leadership I love. And being with my family in the middle of it? That’s the grounding, the joy.
But it’s also… a lot.
December for working moms is a constant toggling between
“I’m grateful,”
“I’m overwhelmed,”
“I’m proud of what I’m building,”
and
“Why am I the only one who knows that the elf needs to move?” and “Please stop mentioning the elf, because we don’t have one nor will we ever!”
We navigate male-dominated systems at work while simultaneously running the emotional operations center at home. And every year, we carry the unspoken expectation that the magic of Christmas — the coziness, the traditions, the memories — will be curated, organized, and executed by… us.
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So if you’re feeling stretched thin, here’s your reminder:
Nothing is wrong with you. This season just asks too much of women.
And still, we lead anyway.
We book the flights.
We give the presentations.
We make the magic.
We grow professionally and hold our families close.
We do the work that matters — the visible and the invisible.
And maybe, this December, the win isn’t balance. Maybe it’s honesty.
Telling the truth that you’re excited and exhausted.
Optimistic and overwhelmed.
Going after big opportunities and trying not to lose yourself in the logistics.
If you’re a working mom navigating this season with equal parts ambition and depletion:
I see you.
I am you.
And you’re doing way better than you think.
Also — big news:
My book cover is this close to being finished, and the book will be out in just a couple months. If you want early updates, behind-the-scenes, and first access when pre-orders go live, join my mailing list (link at the end). I would love to keep you in the loop.
Here’s to the women holding up the holidays — at home, at work, and in every room we’re told we’re “lucky” to be in.
We’re not lucky. We’re qualified.
And we’re just getting started
