“You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret: all the best people are.”
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-Lewis Carroll
Happy Maycember!
I’m a little nervous that only moms will get what this means, but honestly, it’s good for everyone to hear. May is nuts. Completely, unapologetically nuts, especially for moms. And if you’re a mom with a graduating kid? Next level. It’s a nonstop stream of events, group texts, comings, goings, and calendar alerts, all while I’m trying to remember where I’m supposed to be, where I actually am, and who I’m even supposed to be right now.
Half my wardrobe is living on the floor of my closet, and my car is in a constant state of near-empty (shoutout to my sweet husband who keeps it fueled and makes sure my caffeine intake stays steady). It is bonkers. I am bonkers.
But here’s the thing, I’m trying to lean into the bonkers. To embrace it. Maybe even like it. Because what I’m realizing is: life is full. And in this season, being surrounded by noise, laughter, and yes, even the tears, feels oddly sacred. Plus, I’m shoulder to shoulder with other moms who are just as bonkers, and that shared experience is a complete and absolute lifeline. There’s nothing quite like locking eyes with another glassy-eyed mom and knowing, without a word, that she’s right there with you. Seriously, it’s the least lonely you’ll ever feel.
I’m not saying that an overbooked calendar and an emotionally maxed-out mind are good things. I’m just saying there are phases of life where the chaos is part of the deal. And maybe, on the other side, there’s a new kind of quiet waiting for me that I’m not quite ready for.
But while we’re deep in the messy, bonkers middle, it’s worth asking: How do we stay grounded? How do we remain ourselves when everything around us feels like it’s spinning? How in a phase of crazy can I still feel productive?
For me it has meant redefining productivity. Productivity doesn’t have to mean crossing off every task on my never-ending list. It could mean just showing up with intention and identifying what truly matters each day. Each day, I’m trying to focus on three priorities. That’s it. Not ten. Not twenty. Just three. I am giving myself permission to focus on what’s essential, and let the rest fall away.
I’m also building in micro-moments to recalibrate. Five minutes in the car with my eyes closed (car is not moving and I’m working hard not to fall asleep). A short walk without my phone (oh, the phone, my lifeline and nemesis). A sticky note on my mirror with one truth to remember (if you’ve been in my bathroom you know there is more than one note). These small rituals are my anchors when I feel like I am drifting.
Most importantly, I’m reminding myself not to confuse productivity with perfection. I’m not failing if I’m overwhelmed, I’m just living a full and engaged life. (repeat that 3 times)
So here we go, Maycember. This isn’t about surviving the season; it’s about savoring it, even in the madness. You can be scattered and still be centered. You can feel stretched and still be whole.
You’re still you, even when you are bonkers.
TWO TIPS FOR FOR NAVIGATING CRAZY PHASES
1. PROTECT YOUR NON-NEGOTIABLES
In the chaos, it’s easy to sacrifice the small things that keep you sane and healthy like sleep, hydration, exercise, quiet time, or prayer. But we (me) must remember that these aren’t luxuries; they’re lifelines. Identify 1 or 2 non-negotiables that ground you and guard them like gold. You can’t pour from an empty cup and you don’t need to apologize for filling yours.
2. RESET YOUR EXPECTATIONS
This isn’t the season for perfection. It’s the season for grace. Let the dinner be simple. Let the to-do list be honest. Look at your calendar and delete at least 2 things a week until you get to the other side. Hitting reset doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re adjusting with wisdom. Done is better than perfect. And you are more important than any list.
Traci Schubert Barrett is a sought-after international speaker and best-selling author of What If There’s More? Finding Significance Beyond Success, and the founder of Navigate the Journey, a leading business consulting and leadership development firm.
As one of the founders of the wildly popular national cable television network HGTV, she enjoyed the amazing ride of taking a fledgling idea and turning it into a billion-dollar media empire. But after over twenty years in the media industry, Traci began to wonder, what if there’s more to our vocational lives than success? In a leap of faith, she quit her executive job and went on a soul-searching journey, leading her to create the Strategic Life Map process.
With a Master's in Professional Psychology and over 30 years of business experience, Traci specializes in coaching C-suite executives and business leaders, helping them define their greatest impact and create clarity for the future chapters of their lives.
