How to Create More Margin in Your Life (Even…

April 2, 2026April 2, 2026
by Jessica Whitney

If you’re wondering how to create more margin in your life, you’re probably feeling stretched thin. Between kids, work, responsibilities, and everything running through your mind, it can feel like there’s no space left for you.

I get it.

As a mom of four, I’ve had seasons as a stay-at-home mom and seasons balancing multiple priorities. And one of the biggest challenges has been figuring out how to create more margin so I can pursue goals that matter to me — writing, health, personal growth, community and projects that align with my future.

Not necessarily my top priority right now.
But still important.
Still part of who I am.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly moving but never making progress on the things that matter to you — this post is for you.

Because you are allowed to be both.

You’re allowed to be a mom and a creator.
A leader and a learner.
A fitness lover and a foodie.
A caregiver and someone with dreams.

These things don’t compete. They complement each other. They make up your authentic self. This post was inspired by a dear friend of mine during a coaching call.

One of the things I love about coaching is it reminds me of what is actually important to me and what I stand for, so I want to share a few takeaways!

Mental Load & Mindset

The Invisible Load of Back-to-School—and How to Lighten It…

August 7, 2025September 8, 2025
by Jessica Whitney

Back-to-school season hits different, doesn’t it? It’s not just about grabbing a fresh box of crayons or new shoes. It’s the invisible load—the buzzing background noise of 20 open browser tabs in your brain.

You’re not alone in feeling this way!!

This year, that invisible load has felt particularly heavy as I’ve wrestled with decisions about my own kids’ activities. I find myself caught in the tension between wanting my children to have opportunities to grow and learn, and fearing that we’re pushing them toward burnout and an over-scheduled life. I have to actively tell myself there’s no reason to feel guilty, but the pressure is still there.

My oldest is on a select baseball team, and my daughter is in gymnastics for 16 hours a week. The commitment is real, and the worry is too. Am I preparing my son for high school and college, or am I robbing him of his childhood? Is my daughter’s physical and emotional well-being being stretched too thin?

As the fall schedule fills up, I also feel the guilt of not signing up my younger kids for activities, wondering if they’re missing out on key developmental opportunities.

This post touches on some of the invisible worries we as moms carry—and ways to share the load!

Productivity + Planning

How I’m using AI This Week (As a Mom…

July 24, 2025March 6, 2026
by Jessica Whitney

AI is everywhere right now—and it’s growing like crazy. Some people love it. Some like it. Most are a little freaked out by the unknowns.

I get it.

There’s still a lot we don’t know about where AI is headed. But I also know this: I’ve already used it to uplevel my life. I’ve been telling everyone I know—especially moms—about my favorite ways to use AI and the specific prompts that make it actually useful.

The secret isn’t just using AI like it’s Google. The real magic happens when you learn to prompt it well and combine it with what you already know. That’s when things click.

In this post, I’m sharing how I’ve been using ChatGPT this week in my personal life as a mom of four. Most AI content out there is business-focused—but these are game changers in our day-to-day family life.

💡 Heads up: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you.

Mental Load & Mindset

Simple 30 Day Journal Challenge (with Prompts to Bring…

June 4, 2025March 16, 2026
by Jessica Whitney

I’ve always wanted to be someone who journals—you know, the kind of person who fills notebooks with insight, reflection, and soul-deep clarity. But honestly? Between kids, meals, appointments, and the whirlwind of life, it felt like one more thing I should do, not something I could actually stick with.

But this summer, I’m trying something different. I’m doing a 30 Day Journaling Challenge—not as a perfectionist checklist, but as a grounding rhythm. It’s short, structured, and soul-nourishing. I even asked ChatGPT to help me come up with meaningful 30 day journal challenge prompts, and the response gave me exactly what I needed: a super simple process—Dump → Reflect → Reframe—and a list of intentional prompts to walk through day by day.

So I’m sharing it here with you—because if you’re feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or stuck in your head lately, this might be the reset you didn’t know you needed.

Simple 30 Day Journaling Challenge (with Prompts to Bring Peace + Clarity)

Why I’m Doing a 30 Day Journal Challenge

Lately, I’ve noticed something about my mind: I keep circling back to the same worries. Overanalyzing conversations. Ruminating over what’s next. Feeling unsure about what I’m missing or whether I’m doing enough. Can you relate?

What I’ve realized is that if I don’t get those thoughts out, they just keep building. For me, journaling is a way to calm the noise in my head. It’s not about being perfectly eloquent—it’s about finding a moment of peace and clarity in the chaos of my day.

It’s also deeply spiritual for me. I want to slow down enough to notice where God is working in my life, to reflect on His purpose, and to stop trying to be the hero or the victim in every story I tell myself. Instead, I want to see God’s redemption, even in the mess.

Whether or not you’re religious, identifying your thoughts and reframing them helps you come back to who you are—and who you’re becoming.

Who This 30 Day Journal Challenge Is For

This is for you if:

You’re overwhelmed or exhausted and need a soft reset.
You’ve been feeling off and can’t quite name why.
You want to reconnect with yourself (and maybe with God too).
You want clarity on what’s next or peace with what’s now.
You need something simple that fits into real life.

I’m a mom of multiple kids, and my plate is full—so I created this 30 day challenge with that in mind. No long entries, no pressure to perform. Just 10–15 minutes a day to be honest with yourself and reflect.

By the way, if you want a life-changing 10-min to a new you mindset shift, grab the freebie in your inbox here!

How to Journal with Intention (Without Rambling)

Here’s the 3-step journaling method I’m using each day. It’s the heartbeat of this challenge:

🧠 A. Dump (2–3 minutes)

Let it all out. No editing. No judgment. Just write what you’re really feeling and thinking.

“I’m frustrated that I snapped at the kids again. I feel like I’m behind on everything and I don’t know how to catch up.”

🔍 B. Reflect (2–3 minutes)

Zoom out. Ask yourself:

What’s really underneath this?
What pattern or pressure is showing up?
What truth am I not acknowledging?

“I think I’m expecting myself to never struggle. I haven’t asked for help, and I’m carrying way too much alone.”

🌱 C. Reframe or Reset (1–2 minutes)

Close by writing a truth, encouragement, or intention. Something to carry forward.

“It’s okay to need rest. I’ll reset tomorrow and ask for help tonight. I am doing my best—and that’s enough.”

That’s it! You don’t have to overthink it. Just show up. Even one paragraph is powerful when it’s honest.

30 Day Journal Challenge Prompts

Here are the exact 30 day journal challenge prompts I’ll be using each day. You can print them out, save this post, or screenshot them to follow along. If you miss a day—no guilt. Just pick back up where you left off.

🧠 WEEK 1: Awareness & Grounding

What emotion is most present in me today?
What’s one thing I’m avoiding thinking about, and why?
How is my body feeling right now? What might it be trying to tell me?
What would I say to a close friend who felt the way I do?
What am I clinging to that’s adding stress or pressure?
When did I feel most grounded this week? What helped?
What do I need more of—and less of—emotionally right now?

💬 WEEK 2: Reflection & Self-Talk

What story am I telling myself today? Is it true?
What triggered me recently? What deeper wound might that poke at?
How have I been speaking to myself lately?
What’s something I need to forgive myself for?
In what ways am I proud of how I’ve shown up lately?
What’s one belief I’m ready to challenge or release?
What’s been draining me—and what can I do about it?

🌱 WEEK 3: Clarity & Growth

What patterns keep repeating in my life?
What would my wise, grounded self say to me right now?
What’s something I’ve learned about myself recently?
What’s one fear that’s holding me back—and what would I do without it?
What would it look like to honor my limits today?
What do I need to let go of to feel lighter?
What’s one boundary I need to reinforce?

✨ WEEK 4: Purpose & Intention

What am I being invited to grow through right now?
What would “peace” look like in my day today?
What matters most to me in this season of life?
What do I want to remember about today?
What helps me come back to myself when I feel scattered?
What would feel nourishing for me this week?
What am I grateful for that I usually overlook?
What kind of woman/mom/friend/wife do I want to be becoming?
What am I releasing—and what am I stepping into?

Final Thoughts: Save This and Join Me

You don’t need to wait for the “right time” to start this. You just need a few quiet minutes and a willingness to be honest with yourself.

Whether you do it every day or just a few times a week, this 30 day journal challenge can help you:

Slow down.
Feel more present.
Clear mental clutter.
Reconnect with yourself and with God.

So here’s your invitation: save this post and join me in journaling your way toward more peace and clarity. I’ll be over here with my coffee, messy bun, and journal—processing life one honest page at a time.

Let me know if you’re in—I’d love to cheer you on

5 Rules To Be A Successful Mom

August 30, 2021August 8, 2025
by Jessica Whitney

5 Rules To Be Successful as a Mom

There are the tried and true rules that I follow every day. As a mom to four kids with a husband who travels, these rules are my bread and butter of life that help me be a happy, fun, supportive, and positive mother.

There are affiliate links in this post, this means if you click a link and make a purchase, I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

Consistency Over All or Nothing

Something is better than nothing. Implementing small changes and improvements each day creates a compounding effect. When we choose all or nothing, unfortunately, nothing normally wins. When we choose progress over perfection, we all win.

Daily accountability

There are many forms of accountability. Whether you actually reach out to a friend, hire a life coach, or use an online checklist to hold you to your daily goals, make sure you have something in place to motivate you and guarantee your success.

I meet monthly with a group of friends to discuss our goals and dreams and what we want to improve on. Knowing that I have to report to someone about these goals makes all the difference. At these meetings, we reflect on and encourage each other through Power Sheets, an intentional and purpose focused planner.

Stop waiting for the perfect time

Many people, if they fall off the wagon on a goal or intention, they immediately quit and say they will wait until the next week. Next month. Next year.

If you don’t succeed on Monday, don’t wait an entire week to try again. That’s 6 days wasted just to have a “new beginning.” Instead, brush yourself off and begin again as the sun rises.

Make a decision

Many of us fall into routines and habits without realizing it. We become passive participants in life. Most of us need to make the decision to start showing up.

When we choose to show up, when we choose to actively make decisions about how we spend our time and money and efforts, we become more connected and aware of how we can improve our lives and find ourselves again.

Choose your top three.

I am a classic overlister. I use to do lists for everything. Whenever my husband would ask me how my day went, I would bemoan that I got “nothing” done. This “nothingness” day in and dat out discouraged me. The truth of the matter is, I actually got “a lot” done, but my list was so long and cumbersome I couldn’t see my success. All I could see were the little unchecked boxes on my never ending list.

Over time, I’ve gotten better at setting realistic goals so I feel like a success. I limit my expectations to just the top 3 most important items for the day (this is how I think moms should make an effective to do list!). If I complete those items, then I celebrate the day as a success. If I get anything else checked off “the list”, then that’s a lovely bonus.

Once I get my top three items done, I make a positive choice to relax and enjoy my rest rather than wallow in the sense of laziness that abounds itself when you put off what you know you should do.

Last Thing You Should Know about Being a Successful Mom

There is no such thing as perfection. As soon as you let that go, you will be able to enjoy motherhood so much more! Each day, if you focus on consistency, intentionality, and managing expectations, you’ll find you do have more control over your life than you ever imagined. Stop being a passive bystander in your life, and start taking action today.

The Ultimate Home Management Binder Guide

June 9, 2021December 11, 2024
by Jessica Whitney

Creating a home management binder can be time consuming at first, but it’s totally worth it for the peace of mind you get after ward!

If you want to:

Create your own home management binder
Get organized at home so you can spend more time with the people you love
Figure out what actually belongs in a home management binder
Simplify your home management so you feel less overwhelmed

Then you’re in the right place! Let’s go!

The Ultimate Home Management Binder Guide

Home management does NOT have to be rocket science. I so appreciate someone to just take my hand and guide me down a path so I don’t have to do all the research myself. This Home Management Binder guide is all the thoughts, research, and ideas I’ve found in one place.

It will most likely be a living document, so check back often for more home management binder ideas.

Why do you need a home management binder?

First off, is this really a thing? Do you really NEED a home management binder?

Keeping track of all of life’s little details for yourself, your family, and your home can be exhausting and overwhelming. Been there. Done that.

But, I truly believe with the right rhythms, habits, and systems in place, even during the busiest seasons of life you can be organized and create space for what’s most important. A home management binder could be the perfect tool to give you peace of mind that you’ve got all the little details squared away.

Let’s dive in and talk ideas, shall we?!

1. Choose 1 place to store your home management binder

This is all about ONE place for all your home stuff in life. Not scattered around the house in multiple locations.

Having everything in one place is not only more convenient, it also declutters how much you have to keep in your head.

It limits decision fatigue because you don’t have to remember where you keep your important documents. Likely, you’d like to have your significant other be able to access this information too! If that’s the case, make sure you consider access, editing ability, apps, and usability.

Here are a few ideas:

Paper binder
Dropbox
Evernote
Trello
Google Drive
OneDrive
External Hard Drive
Drive on your computer

2. Digital vs Paper Home Management Binder

The first thing you need to decide is if you’re going to go paper or digital. If you noticed, most of the suggestions I gave above are for a digital home management binder. I personally like to keep most of our documents digital because there’s less clutter and I can edit it often.

However, I am definitely a person that loves real binders, turning pages, and pretty printables, so if you love having everything in a binder that you can pick up and turn through, then I say, go for it!

Another benefit of a paper binder is the convenience to throw paper items as you go.

For example, if the school schedule from your son’s preschool is printed and put in their folder, you can easily add it to your home management binder for reference during the school year instead of it getting lost in the mail pile.

3. What should be in a home management binder?

Great question. There are so many options to put in your binder, and it really is up to you!

These suggestions are here to help you get started. Feel free to customize as you desire.

To Do Lists
- Daily
- Brain dump
- Weekly
- Time blocking
- Master To do List
Cleaning Organization
- Cleaning List – monthly, weekly
- Chore chart
- Chore money tracker (kids bank accounts)
Financial Documents
- Budget
- Daily tracker
- Networth calculator
- Account log-in info
Cheatsheets
- Guest list – preferences/allergies/details about the guests so if they come over for dinner you’ll already have that information handy
- List of neighbors – remember your neighbors’ names
- Important people – new friends, old friends, neighbors that you want to get to know better
- List of holiday events to attend – the next time the year rolls around
- List of birthdays
Food
- Pantry Inventory
- Meal Planning Printable (Psst… there’s a free one in the 30 day savings challenge)
- Weekly Meal Plan
- Grocery List
- Monthly Meal Plan

Psst…. Meal Planning Printable and Monthly Meal Plan are included in the FREE 30 Day Savings Challenge. Join the email challenge here!

Children & Pet Docs
- Baby sitter guide
- House sitter guide
- What do the grandparents need if they have the kids for the weekend?
- School Documents
- Kids activities schedules
- Pet Vaccines & Doctor Appointments
- Pet registration info
House Info
- Home service/contacts and contractors – plumbers, electricians, lawn care
- Paint colors
- Home maintenance tracker
- Vehicle maintenance tracker
- Info about electronics, household purchases, decor, etc.
Lawn and Garden Info
- Place to stash plant information about plants
- Lawn Treatment maintenance log
- Garden log
- Garden planner
Medical Docs
- List of doctors, contact information
- Medical Papers (copies of immunization records, insurance docs, phone numbers, names of physicians, infant medicine charts from doctor)

A few other tips on how to make a home organizing binder

Use a binder with tabs

Laminate the pages to reuse again and again (less waste!)

Use page protectors – don’t need a laminator, but could still resuse if you wanted to write on the page protectors.

Create a daily, weekly, monthly checklist that is specific to your family.

Divide and conquer your daily to dos: Divide into morning, afternoon, evening…

For example, in the morning: empty the dishwasher, decide on dinner, move laundry to the dryer. In the afterrnoon: prep dinner, put lunch dishes in dishwasher from lunch, and put away laundry.

What not to put in your home organization binder

These are a few items you should NOT include because they’re too important to lie around on the kitchen counter every day.

Birth certificates
Passports
Insurance docs
House Docs
Vehicle Ownership

Instead of going in the home management binder you should put them in a fireproof cabinet/box. Fireproof safes are pretty inexpensive on Amazon. You know you need one, just get it done and check it off!

The Last Thing You Need to Know About Creating Your Own Home Management Binder

As with most things in life, it does NOT have to be perfect. Try for 1% improvement each day. As you improve your habits and your organization it will become more a part of your routine and identity. I LOVE that the home management binder gets you organized and provides a landing place for all the STUFF.

But everyone’s home management binder looks different, so feel free to create as you see fit! Enjoy the process as you get organized!

15 Best Baby Tips for New Parents

February 28, 2019October 22, 2024
by Jessica Whitney

There are so many unknowns in parenting. My goal with this blog is to hopefully simplify motherhood for you. Part of the way I do that is by collecting input from lots of other moms in one place to provide you good, solid advice.

When you read that other moms are going through the same problems as you, it creates a sense of community.

When your struggles are the same as other moms, it’s comforting to know that it’s not just you!

First-time parents struggle with confidence that they are doing it right, so here are some thoughts from other moms just like you on how to take care of your new baby!

New Mom Survival Guide

Last Minute Hospital Bag Checklist for Mom and Baby

January 25, 2019August 28, 2025
by Jessica Whitney

This post is for you if you’re pregnant and ready to pop any day now. While you’re sitting around playing Candy Crush waiting for labor to start (no? just me?), I thought you might want to double check your hospital bag to make sure you’ve got everything you need for labor and postpartum.

I’ve had 4 babies now (read one of my natural birth stories here), so I’ve learned a thing or to about packing a hospital bag that I wanted to pass on to first time moms! If that’s you, then congratulations! I want you to be prepared to handle any surprises that might come your way after birth for both you and baby!

Productivity + Planning

How to make an effective to do list [for…

September 26, 2018November 18, 2020
by Jessica Whitney

As a new stay at home mom, I’ve been trying to figure out how to balance my to-do list, which seems never-ending, and spending time with my 3 kids. I’ve found a really awesome time management tool to help with my to do list that I wanted to share with you!

This to-do list is tried and tested and mom approved. Whether you are a new mom, working mom, or stay at home mom, I know that if you follow this to-do list tip, you’ll drastically improve your day-to-day productivity.

I know that’s a big claim to make, but here’s the thing, when it comes down to it, I know I feel like I “get more done” when I actually focus on my priorities.

But how do you stay focused on priorities when things like e-mail, social media, and small tasks get between you and the important stuff?

New Mom Survival Guide

Postpartum Series: Your Post Baby Body

March 12, 2018December 19, 2018
by Jessica Whitney

This article is the third in a series that talks about the unavoidable truths of the postpartum period after baby arrives! Throughout the series I provide actionable tips and guidance to navigate this joyful but sometimes difficult stage in life.

If you are still pregnant, you probably have a lot of expectations and hopes and dreams about what life will be like after your baby is born. You are probably looking forward to NOT being pregnant anymore. You’re ready for the heartburn to go away, and you’re ready to be able to sleep on your stomach.

Simple 30 Day Journaling Challenge (with Prompts to Bring Peace + Clarity)

Why I’m Doing a 30 Day Journal Challenge

Who This 30 Day Journal Challenge Is For

How to Journal with Intention (Without Rambling)

🧠 A. Dump (2–3 minutes)

🔍 B. Reflect (2–3 minutes)

🌱 C. Reframe or Reset (1–2 minutes)

30 Day Journal Challenge Prompts

🧠 WEEK 1: Awareness & Grounding

💬 WEEK 2: Reflection & Self-Talk

🌱 WEEK 3: Clarity & Growth

✨ WEEK 4: Purpose & Intention

Final Thoughts: Save This and Join Me

5 Rules To Be Successful as a Mom

Consistency Over All or Nothing

Daily accountability

Stop waiting for the perfect time

Make a decision

Choose your top three.

Last Thing You Should Know about Being a Successful Mom

Other Posts You May Like

The Ultimate Home Management Binder Guide

Why do you need a home management binder?

1. Choose 1 place to store your home management binder

2. Digital vs Paper Home Management Binder

3. What should be in a home management binder?

Psst…. Meal Planning Printable and Monthly Meal Plan are included in the FREE 30 Day Savings Challenge. Join the email challenge here!

A few other tips on how to make a home organizing binder

What not to put in your home organization binder

The Last Thing You Need to Know About Creating Your Own Home Management Binder

Related Posts You Might Like

Do you have a copy of the free simple budget printable?