Have you ever felt like the universe is working against you? That no matter how hard you try to focus, something always seems to derail your plans? Lately, that’s been my reality.
How It Started
As a mom of two and the EVP of Strella Social Media, I’m used to juggling a lot of things. But when my son had pneumonia—not once, but twice back in October and November—and a nasty virus hit my daughter immediately after, it felt like everything turned to chaos. For 19 straight days, at least one of my kids was home sick. And as much as I love the flexibility of working from home, I found it impossible to switch into “mom mode” without feeling guilty about not being present for work. We were onboarding new clients and new team members so work couldn't take a backseat. It was a constant balancing act, and I was just barely keeping my head above water. Honestly, I still feel like I'm recovering from the last months of 2024.
Just when I thought I could catch my breath, January rolled around, and in North Carolina, the slightest bit of cold weather or precipitation means school closures. My kids only went to school for a total of 10 days that month. And I’ll be honest—I struggled. I tried my best to be there for them, play teacher, and keep up with my work for Strella, but it was an uphill battle.
How I Got Through It
While life has thrown me several curveballs over the last few months, I've learned a few important things about how to stay focused in the midst of it all.
1. My Relationship with God Has to Take Priority
First and foremost, I've realized that if I don't start my day with a moment of peace—whether it's prayer or studying the Bible—I'm setting myself up for failure. When I take that time to connect with God, reflect on His promises, and remember that my work and my family are both blessings, my perspective shifts. It's in those quiet moments that I regain clarity and focus, and I'm reminded of what really matters.
Starting my day with that spiritual grounding lifts the fog, and I can approach everything else with a clear vision. It doesn't mean life suddenly becomes easy, but it gives me the strength to tackle whatever comes my way.
2. I Am Human
This one's been a tough pill to swallow, but it's so true: We're all human. We can't control everything. We can't control the weather, the sickness, or the unexpected curveballs that life throws our way. I've embraced being okay with that. I've learned that some things are out of my hands, and that’s simply part of the human experience.
3. I Must Not Let the Overwhelm Take Over
There were days, especially during the chaos of sickness and snow days, when I felt completely burnt out. And guess what? When I'm overwhelmed, the first thing that suffers is my home life. Laundry piles up, dishes get stacked high, and I find myself scrambling to catch up. The more I fell behind, the more overwhelmed I became, and it was like a snowball effect.
So, I had to learn to pause. I had to accept that it was okay to take a breath, to rest, and to not be constantly "on." It's okay to ask for help, to delegate, and to let some things go—at least for a moment. The world won't fall apart if I don't get to every task on my to-do list that day. And by prioritizing rest, I'm actually able to come back to my work and home life with renewed energy and focus.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, staying focused is about finding balance and learning to prioritize what truly matters. It's about making sure I'm taking care of myself first, then my family, and then my work. When I stay grounded in what's important, I find it much easier to stay on track.
So, if you're like me—juggling a hundred things at once and feeling the pressure to do it all—remember: It's okay to not have it all figured out. You don't have to control everything. Take a deep breath, set your priorities, and remember to focus on what matters most.
Life won't always be easy, but you can always choose where to place your focus.
Feel free to leave a comment if you have any tried-and-true tips for dealing with chaos in your professional or personal life. I’d love to learn about what helps you find your footing when you’re on shaky ground.
