CEO Mama Newsletter: 6th Edition (12/22)

Hey ,

The holiday season is here. Hi hot chocolate, slow mornings, cuddles by the fireplace, and saying “let’s circle back after the new year” to basically every email. 🥰 

It’s a time for joy, connection, slowing down, but if we’re completely honest, it can also come with its fair share of stress.

For many entrepreneurial mamas, it can be a whirlwind of tying up end of year business projects, holiday traditions with our kids, travel, family expectations, and starting to look ahead to what’s to come in 2025.

So let’s talk about how to navigate this season with even more intention, ease, and slowness, so come the new year you actually feel nourished, peaceful, and energized.

The Holiday Pressure Cooker

Holidays have a way of bringing everything into sharper focus — our commitments, our ambitions, and the deep desire to create meaningful moments with our families.

We want to close out the year strong in our businesses, build magical memories, and still make space to recharge and care for ourselves.

It’s a powerful season full of opportunity and intention, but it can also feel like we’re carrying more than ever.

But what if this season could look and feel different? What if, instead of pushing through, we chose to embrace the slowness and the sweetness? What if we leaned into the idea that our presence, not perfection, is what makes the holidays truly magical?

It’s not about doing it all; it’s about doing what matters most — aligned with your values and the memories you want to create for yourself and your family.

The Myth of the Perfect Holiday

Society loves to sell us the image of a “perfect” holiday.

Picture-perfect decorations, gourmet meals served effortlessly, kids smiling by the fire, and harmonious family gatherings where everyone feels seen and loved.

And yes, it’s a beautiful story, but one that sets a really high standard. And often, it’s this story that makes us feel like we’re falling short when in reality we are doing the most.

The truth is, striving for this picture-perfect holiday comes at a cost. The pressure to make everything just right can pull us away from the very things we want to experience: connection, joy, and true presence with the people who matter most.

Instead of enjoying the moment, we can find ourselves stuck in a cycle of “What’s next?” — the next dish to prepare, the next to-do on the list, the next way to make it all look flawless.

But here’s something worth considering: What if the “perfect” holiday was never the goal? What if we released ourselves from that expectation altogether? What if the holidays were about creating experiences that feel meaningful for you — not anyone else’s idea of what they should be?

This year, let’s give ourselves permission to redefine what the perfect holiday looks like.

Instead of asking, “Is this perfect?” let’s ask, “Does this feel good for me and my family?” Because that’s what truly matters.

Strategies for a Balanced Holiday Season

Instead of trying to do it all, what if you focused on what matters most?

The truth is, we can’t pour from an empty cup, and we don’t have to juggle everything alone. By being clear on what’s truly important, setting boundaries, and simplifying where we can, we create space for connection, rest, and presence.

So, here are a few strategies to help you do exactly that:

1. Clarify Your Priorities

   • Write down the top three things that matter most to you this holiday season. Is it time with your kids? Resting and recharging? Meeting a critical business goal? Use this list to guide every decision you make.
     

2. Set Boundaries

   • Decide in advance when you’ll be available for work and when you’re off the clock. Let clients, your team, and even family members know what to expect. Protect your time fiercely.
     

3. Delegate and Simplify

   • What can you let go of or delegate? Maybe it’s hiring a cleaning service, ordering pre-made holiday meals, or letting someone else take over a family tradition this year.
     

4. Create Time for Rest

   • Schedule downtime like you schedule meetings. Even 30 minutes of intentional rest each day can make a huge difference in your energy and mood.
     

5. Practice Mindful Presence

   • When you’re with your family, be with your family. Put the phone away. When you’re working, focus fully on work. Presence is the antidote to feeling pulled in a million directions.

… checking every box on your to-do list isn’t actually getting you what you want.

Here’s a concept to consider this week: the “50% Rule.” The idea is quite simple… cut your holiday to-do list in half.

Take a moment to review everything you think “needs” to get done: setting up decorations, hosting, shopping, work projects, family activities, baking. Then, challenge yourself to let go of at least 50% of what doesn’t align with your core priorities.

Ask yourself:

1. Does this genuinely add joy or value to my holiday experience?

2. Would anything meaningful be lost if I simplified or skipped it?

3. Am I doing this because it’s expected or because it truly matters to me?

When we focus on the essentials we free ourselves from unnecessary stress and create more room for rest and presence.

Try it this week: Make a “must-do” list of only the most meaningful tasks, and let go of the rest. You might just find that doing less allows you to feel more.

Taking even five minutes to reset your nervous system will be a game-changer to keep you feeling centered, calm, and grounded over the next few weeks.

This practice feels SO nourishing and is easy to incorporate into the day:

1. Get Comfortable: Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground. Close your eyes or soften your gaze.
   

2. Anchor Your Breath:

   • Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of 4.

   • Hold for a count of 4.

   • Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 6.

   • Repeat this cycle for 5 breaths.
     

3. Engage Your Senses:

   • Name 3 things you see, 2 things you hear, and 1 thing you feel.

   • This simple exercise pulls you back into the present moment.
     

4. Set An Intention: Whisper to yourself, “I release what I cannot control, and I embrace what brings me peace.”

Repeat whenever you feel overwhelmed or scattered. It helps so much!

“I’m Rushing Around To Do Every Little Thing…”

“Here’s the truth: I’ve spent holidays doing it all and still feeling like I’d failed.

I’ve stayed up late making hand-decorated cookies, even though my kids didn’t care and would’ve been just as thrilled with store-bought. I’ve thrown elaborate holiday parties to impress people I didn’t even really want to invite. I’ve said yes to traditions that felt more like obligations, thinking they mattered more than they did.

But the hardest part to admit?

I’ve done all of this while quietly resenting the very season I was trying so hard to make special.

The pressure to “get it right” can be suffocating. But when I finally stopped trying to meet the invisible standard of a “perfect” holiday, everything changed. I asked myself: What do I actually want from this season?

My answer was pretty simple: I want connection. I want laughter around the dinner table, pajama mornings with my kids, and moments that feel real—not rushed.

So now I do less, and I feel more. I still say yes to what feels meaningful, but I say no to the rest without guilt. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”

-Anonymous Reader Submission

It’s Happening!

Our CEO Mama Membership kicks off on January 13th, and spots are filling up fast!

If you’ve been thinking about applying, now’s the time—this is your chance to join a one-of-a-kind membership created specifically for entrepreneurial mamas navigating the beautiful (and sometimes messy) balance of business and motherhood.

Here’s what makes it special:
The CEO Mama Membership is for moms who want to:
✨ Build a thriving business while creating true freedom—time, lifestyle, and financial.
✨ Connect with other ambitious mamas who get it and are cheering for your success.
✨ Find harmony between business growth, family life, and self-care.

👉 Apply Now to Secure Your CEO Mama Membership Spot.

Always remember that your love and presence is the greatest gift your kids/family are wanting from you. So slow down mama, savor these precious moments, take time to harness your energy, and know you’ve done enough. It’s safe to rest and simply enjoy.

Wishing you the happiest holiday love. ❤️ 

XO,
Natalie