Have you ever answered a question honestly… and it surprised people?

Not because you said something mean. But because you didn’t say what they expected.

That happened to me during a conversation with my mom.

We had our family Christmas early at her house. The kids had the best time.

And I got a little alone time with my mom, which felt really sweet. Then she asked me a question that shifted the whole conversation.

“So what do you want to do? Do you want to open your own practice?”

And I knew exactly what she meant.

In her mind, and in a lot of people’s minds, owning a practice is the next big move. It’s the “top of the ladder.”

But I answered her with a very calm, very clear no. Because what I want right now looks different.

And I think a lot of you are in that same spot.

The Pressure to Keep Climbing Is Real

If you’re an ambitious woman, people expect you to always want more.

More growth.

More achievements.

More titles.

More money.

More recognition.

And if you don’t want that right now, it can feel awkward to say out loud.

Because people might look at you like…

“Wait, that’s it?”

But here’s the truth.

Wanting a quieter season doesn’t mean you’ve lost your drive.

It means you’re getting honest about your priorities.

It means you’re choosing your season on purpose.

My Honest Answer (And Why It Matters)

When my mom asked what I wanted next, I told her something that sounded silly… but I meant it.

“I wanna be a kept wife.”

I was halfway joking. But not really.

What I meant was this:

I want time.

I want presence.

I want to be with my family more.

I want to make an impact without feeling like I have to chase the next rung on the ladder.

And yes, I know that kind of answer can make people uncomfortable. Because it doesn’t fit the usual story.

But it fit my heart.

Why a Quiet Season Can Be the Smartest Choice

I want you to hear this clearly. A quiet season can still be a powerful season.

Sometimes the biggest growth happens when you stop sprinting.

Sometimes the bravest thing you do is say:

“Not right now.”

In this season, I want to be around my kids more. I want to enjoy them. Because they don’t stay little for long.

And I now have a teenager, so I feel that even more.

This isn’t me giving up. This is me choosing family focus on purpose.

If Your Dreams Look Quieter, That’s Okay

This part matters.

Because I know some of you feel guilty for what you want.

You might want:

• A job that feels steady, not flashy
• More time at home
• Fewer extra commitments
• A slower schedule
• More rest
• More routines that support you

And you might think, “But shouldn’t I want more?”

Here’s what I want you to remember. “It’s okay if your dreams look quieter in this season.”

You don’t need loud goals for them to matter. You don’t need a big announcement for it to be a big deal.

Your peace matters. Your home matters. Your kids matter. You matter.

The Real Question to Ask Yourself for 2026

Instead of asking, “What will impress people?”

Try asking:

• What feels right for me right now?
• What do I want my days to feel like?
• What do I want my kids to remember?
• What do I need more of?
• What do I need less of?

Because you can hit a goal and still feel empty. You can look successful and still feel tired inside.

Your goals should support your life. Not compete with it.

5 Ways to Embrace a Quiet Season Without Feeling Like You’re Falling Behind

If you want to lean into a quieter 2026, here are a few simple ways to do it.

1) Name your season

Give it a label you can stand on.

You might choose:

• quiet season
• family first
• less hustle
• peace and presence
• steady and simple

When you name it, you stop explaining it. You stop negotiating with yourself. You stop feeling like you need permission.

2) Decide what you’re not doing this year

This step protects your energy. Make a short list of what you’re not available for.

That might be:

• extra committees
• saying yes out of guilt
• packing your schedule every weekend
• chasing goals that don’t feel like yours

This isn’t selfish. This is leadership in your own life.

3) Choose goals that match your real life

If you’re a working mom, your life has limits. So your goals need to fit inside those limits.

Instead of “do everything,” try goals like:

• cook 3 simple dinners a week
• get to bed 30 minutes earlier
• plan one family fun day a month
• build a weekly routine that makes weekdays smoother

These might look “boring.” But boring can feel safe. Boring can feel calm. Boring can feel like you can breathe again.

4) Practice a simple response for people who don’t get it

Not everyone will understand your choices. So don’t leave yourself stuck in the moment.

Try one of these:

• “I’m focusing on my family this year.”
• “This is the season I’m in, and it feels right.”
• “I’m keeping things simple in 2026.”
• “I’m making space for what matters most to me.”

You don’t have to debate. You don’t have to convince. You just have to be clear.

5) Track what actually matters each week

If you only track “big wins,” you’ll miss the point.

In a quiet season, the wins look like:

• everyone ate and nobody cried at dinner
• you got a walk in
• you made it to bedtime without snapping
• you had a real conversation with your teen
• you said no and felt proud of it

Those wins count. They build your life.

What I’m Choosing for 2026

I said it in this episode, and I’ll say it here too. I’m not trying to climb Mount Everest in 2026.

I’m choosing goals that feel quiet. Goals that revolve around my family. Goals that help me take care of myself.

That choice might not impress everyone. But it will support the life I’m actually living.

And I want that for you too.

Because your kids won’t remember your title. But they will remember your presence. They will remember how it felt to be with you. They will remember if home felt safe.

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