Below, you’ll find the show notes for Episode 019 of The Made by Motherhood Podcast. The Made by Motherhood Podcast is a warm, encouraging space for moms building businesses while raising families — with gentle guidance for business, home, and motherhood. Subscribe on Spotify Podcasts, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or subscribe anywhere podcasts are available.
Welcome back to the Made by Motherhood Podcast. I’m your host, Kelly Zugay — and if you’ve ever felt torn between growing your business and being fully present as a mom, this episode is for you.
It’s that feeling so many of us carry — like you’re constantly being pulled in two directions. You want to do it all, be everything, be everywhere… but you’re just one person. One very real, very tired, very devoted person.
So what do you do when you want to chase your goals and soak up your little one’s childhood… and both feel urgent, important, and deeply connected to who you are? Let’s talk about that push and pull — and how to stop feeling like you’re falling short in both.
The Tension of Being Both Mom and Business Owner
If you’ve ever had one of those days where your toddler wants to be held all morning — and you finally get them down for a nap, only to stare at your laptop and wonder, What was I even supposed to do with this time? — I’ve been there.
It’s disorienting. You’re so needed, constantly — and then the moment you get space to work, your brain feels foggy or your heart feels guilty. Or both.
The truth is, it’s not just time that’s divided. It’s yourself.
We don’t just toggle between tasks. We toggle between identities. We shift from being someone’s safe place… to someone’s strategist, designer, writer, coach, or CEO. And we often do it without even changing out of our pajamas.
No wonder we feel overwhelmed. We’re carrying a lot.
Why Balance Isn’t the Goal
What makes it even harder? The constant message — online, in books, in podcasts — that we just need to “balance it all better.”
But what if the goal isn’t balance?
What if the goal is to release the idea that we have to hold all of it with equal weight, every single day?
Some days will be business-heavy. Some days will be motherhood-heavy. Some days, everything will fall apart. And some days, it’ll all fall into place.
But none of those days define your worth.
You can love your baby and love your business. You can want to be present and also want to be productive. These things can coexist.
And when we stop judging ourselves for the tension between them, we create space for something really beautiful: grace.
Grace looks like redefining what a “successful” day means.
Grace looks like choosing rest when your body says it needs it.
Grace looks like starting over tomorrow — again and again.
A Simple Grounding Practice
Here’s a little practice I come back to when I feel that tug — the one where I want to be everywhere at once and feel like I’m falling behind in it all.
I pause and ask myself three questions:
- What is most important to me right now?
- What do I actually need in this moment?
- What can I release — just for today?
Sometimes, I need to release the pressure to check every box. Sometimes, I need to let go of the guilt that I’m not doing more. And sometimes, I just need to choose one small thing — one email, one load of laundry, one walk outside — and let that be enough.
You’re Not Alone
If this week has felt heavy for you… if you’ve been in the messy middle of both/and… if you’ve found yourself crying into your tea or staring at your phone unsure of where to start… please hear me:
You are not alone. You are not behind. You are not doing it wrong.
You are living a full, beautiful, layered life. And you’re showing up — with heart, with intention, with love. Even on the hard days.
Final Encouragement
If today’s episode felt like a breath of fresh air, I’d love for you to share it with another mom who might need it too. And if you haven’t already, visit Made by Motherhood for tools to help you grow your business in a way that feels grounded and aligned with your season. You are made by motherhood — and you were made to grow a business and a family, without sacrificing yourself in the process.
