Working mamas: 4 ways to find more fulfillment in every aspect of your life

It’s a Thursday evening and you just spent all day juggling work responsibilities, parenting and homemaking—barely enough time to take a breath. Sound familiar? 

In the fall of 2021, I had a breakdown that led me to recognize I’d lost sight of who I was, particularly how I spent my time and how I responded to life. 

The corporate job I had at the time required long, odd hours and after two years of working remotely, I was asked to return to the office. By that point, I had an 18-month-old who was battling every sickness under the sun. I was just so tired, stressed and frustrated by trying to do it all and do it all well. I was walking through life disappointed.

I felt like a fraud. In the daily hustle of juggling work and life, I’d lost sight of my true identity.

It was this realization that fueled my desire to leave my full-time job outside of the house and focus on opportunities that aligned with my values, priorities and long-term goals. I took a hard look at my life and determined that re-launching a business I’d put on the shelf–a business filled with intention and purpose–was my first step toward finding myself again.

I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but what it did do was re-ignite my purpose–and finding my purpose has made all the difference. I’m happier, I’m more focused, I can show up for my kids and my husband and I can give myself grace when not everything gets done.

Whether you’re a mama working outside the home, at home with your kiddos or running your own small business, it’s easy to get lost in between all of the things you’re juggling. Here are four tips that helped me find more fulfillment and may help you too.

Get clear on your why


When I lived and worked in San Francisco, my “why” was tied to serving people who needed more kindness, patience, forgiveness and joy. My reasoning was clear, but I had to work hard to keep it front and center because the hustle and bustle of work and life can make it easy to lose sight of it, which can quickly lead to burnout.

Take some time to reflect on your own “why,” whether you work outside the house or care for your kids. Why do you do what you do? Why this over anything else? Write it down and refer back to it often.  

Commit to building authentic and transformational relationships

I know every interaction I have with someone I come in contact with is an opportunity to express kindness, patience, forgiveness and joy: my purpose, my why. 

So, at work (and outside of it), I try to be intentional in every conversation I have to build genuine connections. 

I’ll schedule casual 1-on-1s to connect with new and old team members, clients, coworkers, partners or friends of partners. During these chats, sometimes we don’t even talk about work. I always start with small talk, asking how the person is and listening closely.  

As an introvert, small talk is hard. But it builds connection and relationship, and it helps someone feel seen and heard as a person. It’s a great opportunity to show kindness in a small and intimate way and build character along the way.

Decide not to gossip or grumble about any person or problem at work 

In 2020, when we all went to “work from home” and to a constant state of being behind a computer screen, it felt as though my corporate company colleagues and I had forgotten how to talk to each other. 

We often jumped straight to grumbling about a work problem or a colleague with demanding deadlines, or who on the team was falling short. Conversations became transactional and often hurtful, and I’d ask myself, “Why do I feel like I’m always complaining?” 

I knew every conversation was an opportunity to show goodness and kindness but, at the time, I was struggling to do that well behind a computer screen. If I’m honest, I still catch myself grumbling and complaining, as a way to connect with people. 

That’s why, I’m intentionally committed to recognizing that although I work remotely, every person I come in contact with virtually or in-person deserves patience and a kind word. I’m also working on being slower to respond with my words, even if they’re typed. 

Be proactive about showing appreciation 

Funny enough, the corporate world helped me more tangibly embed appreciation into my small business and I’m very grateful for that.

When managing internal communications and employer branding, we’d use our company’s internal social tools and marketing channels to celebrate our colleagues’ accomplishments and big wins, as well as share physical gifts or cards. I loved finding creative ways of showing appreciation, which is why I’m working to embed this practice into my business, in seen and unseen ways.

Today, I actively use social media, my blog and website to shoutout my team, my clients and close partners, so they know how grateful I am for them. I also share personal gifts and thank you notes throughout the year. 

These four practices have helped me immensely in my professional and personal life. I hope being mindful about your intentions and your actions can help you too.