If you read last week’s blog, you know this week has been a lot.
As with every family, there can be a lot going on. Sometimes in ways we don’t anticipate. Combine that with running a business, and you can have a perfect storm.
At the time this post is published, I’m in the midst of business planning for 2026, volunteering to create resources for my networking chapter, and somehow still showing up for everything else I committed to. To keep myself sane, in between all of it, I’ve been playing video games. A lot of video games. And I’m not even sorry about it.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you about pushing through hard times: you can absolutely rise to the occasion and go above and beyond when life demands it, but you need to give yourself permission to do it your way. That means working with your energy levels, not against them. It means setting boundaries that actually make sense for how you’re feeling. And having a vice that keeps you sane.
The Wins That Keep You Going
Even in the middle of chaos, there were moments this week that made me feel genuinely good.
- I created a one-stop onboarding guide for new members of my networking chapter. Seeing it come together and knowing I’ll be able to support my chapter well is an amazing feeling.
- In 2026, I’ll have new service packages available, and I’ve brainstormed two out of three so far. In the new year, I want to start focusing on the work I actually love doing.
- My networking chapter’s holiday soirée is coming together, and I’m thrilled to help our Events Coordinator with all the plans. Doing something like this actually gives me energy to give back.
These wins matter. They’re proof that I can still create, contribute, and move forward even when everything feels heavy. But here’s the key: I didn’t force myself to do deep, hyper-focused work when my brain was fried. I matched the task to my energy level.
I’m sure you have wins that matter too! I want you to consider even the smallest thing a win if it helps you to continue moving forward. But I do not want you to force yourself to work when your brain is much.
Energy Management > Time Management
I talk a lot about time management, but what I think we really need to talk about is energy management. Not every hour of your day has to have the same quality of mental fuel behind it.
When you’re dealing with stress, family obligations, or just the general weight of life, trying to do your most important, focus-intensive work during your lowest energy moments is setting yourself up to feel like you’re failing. But you’re not failing, you’re just trying to run on empty.
Instead, plan your week around how you actually feel:
- Have high-energy moments? That’s when you tackle the big stuff. The strategic thinking, the creative work, and the tasks that need your full brain power.
- Medium energy? Perfect for the meaningful-but-not-draining work. Creating guides, planning events, responding to important emails, and brainstorming.
- Low energy? This is when you are in maintenance mode. Do the admin tasks, organize your office, and only have light communication. Or honestly, just rest if that’s what feels right.
The Zone-Out Zone (And Why It’s Not a Problem)
If resting makes you feel guilty, let’s talk about it. Because I think we’re all carrying around some unnecessary guilt about it.
This week, video games have been my escape. Pretty much every day. My brain gets to work, but in a completely different way. There’s no pressure, no deadlines, no one depending on me to solve their problems. Just me, a controller, and a world where the biggest decision is which quest to do next.
Everyone has their thing. Maybe yours is scrolling Instagram, binge-watching a series, reading fantasy novels, going for long drives, or spending an hour on a hobby that has nothing to do with productivity. Whatever it is, as long as it’s not harming you or the people around you, it’s fine. Better than fine—it’s necessary.
Zoning out isn’t procrastination. It’s rest that recalibrates your nervous system. It gives your brain permission to not be “on” for a while. And when you come back, you’re actually able to show up better for the things that matter.
Boundaries Don’t Make You Less Committed
Here’s what I want you to know about boundaries: setting them doesn’t mean you care less. And it doesn’t mean you’re not committed to your business, your family, your community, or your goals. It means you’re committed to doing those things sustainably.
When life asks you to step up, you can. You can go above and beyond, be there for your family, and still build your business. And guess what? You can still contribute to your community. But you get to decide how and when you do that based on what you actually have to give. Some weeks, you’re firing on all cylinders. Other weeks, you’re just keeping things moving. Both are okay. And both are enough.
How to Actually Make This Work
So how do you keep your life and business running smoothly when everything feels like too much?
- Check in with yourself regularly. Start your week by asking: How’s my energy level right now? What do I have to do versus what can wait? What’s going to make me feel good, not just productive?
- Match your tasks to your energy. Stop trying to force high-level work when you’re running on fumes. Save the deep work for when you have the bandwidth. Everything else can be done in maintenance mode.
- Give yourself permission to zone out. Schedule it if you need to. Protect that time as fiercely as you protect your work time. Your brain needs it.
- Celebrate the wins, even the small ones. Got the laundry done? That’s a win. Started your 2026 business plan? That’s a win. Showed up for your people? That’s a win. Let yourself feel good about what you did accomplish instead of beating yourself up over what you didn’t.
The Real Secret
The secret to pushing through hard weeks isn’t grinding harder or forcing yourself to power through. It’s giving yourself grace, working with your natural rhythms, and trusting that you can handle it all without sacrificing your well-being in the process.
This is the heart of The Mindful Virtual Assistant. It’s why I named my business what I did. Because yes, I love to work and love the work I do, but I’m not out here saving lives. Nothing is worth sacrificing my well-being, and this is one of the core messages I try to remind my clients and my community..
Remember, you can rise to the occasion and still take care of yourself. It’s absolutely doable to go above and beyond and still set boundaries. And yes, you can be productive and zone out when you need to.
Life gets heavy sometimes. The goal isn’t to pretend it doesn’t. The goal is to keep moving forward in a way that doesn’t break you. And sometimes, that means knowing when to close the laptop, pick up the controller, and just let yourself breathe.
