I’m thrilled to have my friend Elizabeth join me for a conversation that delves into various aspects of motherhood, with a particular focus on balancing it alongside running a business. I know many of you have shared your feelings of guilt when it comes to growing your business while also being present for your children. It can feel like you’re stuck in a difficult place, unable to give your full attention to both your business and your family. 

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Going all-in on your business might mean your kids miss out, but holding back could lead to resentment, as your business is an important way you take care of yourself. When I met Elizabeth, I knew I had to bring her onto the show, and I’m so glad she’s here to share her insights with us. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this!

Elizabeth’s journey

Elizabeth Andrzejewski is a mom of four who turned her own experiences into a stress coaching business for other moms. She first came across an influencer named Allie through a friend, but only really started paying attention to her message later on. Around the same time, she began counseling for her youngest boy, who was quite a handful, and learned about gentle parenting. Elizabeth liked this approach but had trouble sticking to it when she was stressed or overwhelmed.

She realized that she needed to take better care of herself to put gentle parenting into practice. That’s when she found Allie’s course, Unburdened, which taught her the importance of morning rituals to start the day off right. Once she started following these techniques, Elizabeth found it easier to remember and use the gentle parenting strategies she had learned.

Inspired by her own transformation, Elizabeth decided to help other moms by teaching them how to calm their minds and cope with stress, so they can be their best selves and have better relationships with their kids.

What advice would you give to a mompreneur who is struggling to find balance and harmony between her personal life and career?

Relating to the struggle of balancing an online business with motherhood, Elizabeth shares her own journey and helpful tips that have worked for her. One of the resources mentioned is Tanya Dalton’s book, “The Joy of Missing Out,” which emphasizes that there’s no perfect balance between work and family life. The book suggests that people experience different seasons of life where priorities shift between work and family, which Elizabeth found to be a freeing mindset.

As a highly sensitive person who needs focus, Elizabeth has found ways to structure her day to optimize both work and family time. She discovered that running her business and coaching online brings her joy and makes her a better mom. She’s set up blocks of time during the day for work, such as when her older children are at school, and the toddler watches cartoons. She then takes breaks to spend time with her kids and focus on being a present parent.

To avoid resentment and manage mom guilt, Elizabeth makes sure to get work done when the kids are at school, sleeping, or with their husbands. Planning fun family activities during school breaks helps maintain a healthy work-life balance. Elizabeth also reminds herself that she’s serving her family by bringing in income and being a better mom when she does something she enjoys. By setting time limits and being intentional with her schedule, Elizabeth finds a way to balance her roles as a mom and an entrepreneur.

Proactive strategies for supporting yourself and enhancing your presence as a mompreneur

Elizabeth shares her morning routine, explaining that she usually wakes up before her kids to engage in practices that help her feel grounded and calm. She credits Allie and the book “Morning Miracles” for some of these techniques, which include meditation, visualization, affirmations, and journaling. Depending on the day, Elizabeth may choose a few of these practices to focus on.

As a Christian, she also reads the Bible and prays during this time. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of spending at least 30 minutes in the morning for these activities to feel proactive and centered. As a result, she finds herself being more responsive, rather than reactive, to her kids throughout the day.

How to manage your energy level and overcome the feeling of draining energy?

Elizabeth acknowledges the difference between having a tough day and facing months of challenges. On a difficult day, she seeks support from her spouse or family members to get some alone time. She emphasizes engaging in activities without screens, such as going for a walk, journaling, reading, or sitting in nature. Spending time with friends or having her kids spend time with their grandparents for a weekend are also helpful strategies.

For more extensive burnout, Elizabeth advises reassessing one’s life and identifying draining factors that can be delegated or cut out. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and maintaining mental health by seeking help, creating structure, simplifying tasks, or delegating responsibilities. Analyzing what is not working and implementing changes are essential steps to avoid continuous overwhelm.

She encourages finding a daily practice that creates stillness and helps calm the nervous system, such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling. She suggests trying various activities and sticking with the ones that effectively reduce stress and overwhelm.

To sum it all up, Elizabeth provides valuable advice and strategies for us, moms striving to balance our personal lives and careers. By understanding that there’s no perfect balance and embracing the different seasons of life, we can learn to adapt our priorities as needed.

If you want to learn more about Elizabeth, you can visit https://www.emotionallyhealthylegacy.com/