What's Saving My Life Right Now - August 2026

Aug 27

3 min read

Several authors that I follow pause throughout the year and create a "What's Saving My Life Right Now" list. I have adopted the practice because it forces me to stop long enough to notice what is helping me in this season rather than simply rushing through it.

The rules remain the same: there are no rules.

This isn't a list of life-changing discoveries or revolutionary ideas. It's simply a snapshot of the things that are helping me win my days, enjoy my work, and make space for what matters most right now.

This season feels full in the best possible way. My business is growing, my kids are growing, projects are moving, my clients are doing important work, and there are more opportunities than hours available.

In seasons like this, I have learned that the right systems, habits, and tools can make all the difference. So here's what's saving my life right now:

Walking While Thinking

When I'm stuck on a problem, I walk.

When I need clarity, I walk.

When I have too much energy, I walk.

When I have no energy, I walk anyway.

There is something about movement that helps untangle thoughts that feel impossible while sitting at a desk.

I constantly need reminders that productivity and movement are not competitors.

They are partners.

Learning to Let AI work for me

Please don't freak out. I'm exploring AI, Not AI as a replacement for people and not AI as a magic button but more as a thought partner - a part time team member who works for me.

One of the biggest shifts I've made this year is using AI to get unstuck or to streamline what I'm already doing.

I rarely use the first output, but I almost always use the momentum it creates. Most tasks now flow through a filter of evaluating whether I need to be the one doing them. It's changing the way I work everyday.

Community Right Where I Need It

As my kids get older, the support they need shifts. I'm in a season where I don't feel equipped to provide all that support, but my community picks up right where I need it to and my kids benefit from it immensely.

Everyday, a group of curated families we love, plays an important role in homework assistance, encouragement, nurturing, feeding or creating fun for my boys. Their families have become part of my days too. It's just the best and it's saving my life during this season.

My Weekly Planning Session

Every week I convince myself I'm too busy to take 30 minutes and plan. Every week I am wrong.

The weeks where I intentionally review my commitments, schedule tasks, and create a realistic plan feel dramatically different from the weeks where I don't.

The planning session isn't complicated. More on exactly what I do here.

It just keeps me missing something but also from accidentally spending an important day on unimportant things.

Meal Planning That Future Me Can Steal

There are two versions of me.

The optimistic version who thinks she will cook a healthy meal every evening. And the realistic version who has back-to-back meetings during the day and suddenly realizes that my people need to eat every day too.

Meal planning has become a gift I leave for myself. A plan saves me decisions. I have a running list of meals that work for my family currently. A list for the week, decided when I do weekly planning, sets me up for success.