#GuiltFree
The first three months of this year felt like running a mental obstacle course while simultaneously tackling a half marathon.
Tax season was in full swing, my husband’s travel schedule was relentless, and I was solo momming it—all while leading a company that has nearly tripled in size since this time last year.
The pressure was real, and the pace was brutal.
Everything came to a head about three weeks ago. I was exhausted—mentally, physically, emotionally—and that little voice in my head? The one that whispers all the things that aren’t true but still hit you like a gut punch? She was loud.
Sunday morning, I finally broke. Through tears, I told my husband,
“Matt—I’m not showing up as the mom I want to be. I have too much on my plate. I can’t keep going like this.”
We both work so hard for the life we get to live, and for a moment, I wondered if we were doing it wrong.
Later that afternoon, some friends came over. Matt was talking about an upcoming work conference in Orlando, and I casually said, “I wish the boys and I could meet you in Tampa to catch a Phillies game.” My friend Susie, without missing a beat, said, “You still can. Just go.”
And that’s when it clicked.
“Wait—you’re staying in Disney Springs?” I turned to Matt. “The boys and I could do a Disney day.”
The kids lit up with excitement. I texted the dog sitter—she was available. And just like that, we made the call: we’d leave at 6 a.m. the next morning.
But as I packed, the guilt crept in.
I’m the boss. I make the rules. Yet I still felt guilty about taking unplanned time off.
I shifted meetings, got deliverables out the door, and worked from the car on the way to Orlando—
but the guilt was persistent.
That night, after checking into our hotel and heading to Disney Springs for dinner, I looked at Matt and admitted, “I feel like I’m in trouble.”
He looked at me and said exactly what I needed to hear: “The only thing you should be thinking about is the fun you’re going to have with Austin and Brady tomorrow. Enjoy it—you work hard. You deserve it.”
And so I listened.
The next day was magic.
The three of us hopped from Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom. We rode every ride, laughed until our stomachs hurt, and had a special early 10th birthday lunch at Rainforest Café. We all agreed—it was the best birthday day they’ve had yet.
I was happy. Not just content—happy. Present. Grateful. And most of all, guilt-free.
Because this—this—is why I do what I do.
For the time freedom. For the memories. For the ability to say yes to spontaneous joy when my gut tells me it’s time.
I’m extremely disciplined. I show up. I do what I say I’m going to do. But I also know when something feels misaligned. And when it does, I’ve learned to pause and listen.
Here’s the truth:
You can have it all—professional and personal success. But don’t let guilt make your decisions for you.
Guilt clouds clarity. If guilt is driving, it’s probably steering you wrong. Check in with your gut instead. That’s where the wisdom is.
I’m just a mom, building a business, raising good humans, and working to create generational wealth—in money and in life.
