The Pulse: Shifting Gears as the Summer Ends

Wow! I think that is all I can really say as I try to sum up how I am feeling about school starting tomorrow.

Looking back to April, I remember mapping out the summer—figuring out how our trips would fit, juggling camp drop-offs, and planning for L as he aged out of camp to gain some independence. At the time, I felt a wave of panic about pulling it all off while keeping up with my clients. On the flip side, there was a sense of freedom knowing I’d have a couple of extra buffer hours after work to run errands, squeeze in a workout, or work on my website.

Some of those hopes came to fruition. Camps went smoothly, and L’s newfound independence fared really well. He earned some extra cash, learned autonomy, and helped balance things around the house. On the jobs front, client volume increased, website work became slightly more efficient, and I gained a sense of direction for my future. And personally, I got my sleep under control, making sure it was longer and higher quality than in the past.

Yet, there still never felt like enough hours in the day. Between taking on extra clients, leading group training, staying a week ahead on my spin class routines, building website content, and planning for the future, the time simply slipped away. Those extra hours allowed for "the things" to get done; however, my tank was drained, and I didn't have that extra energy to play pickleball, coordinate friend sessions, or even stay awake for more than 10 minutes to listen to my audiobooks.

Reflecting on Big Wins & Summer Highlights

Despite the constant hustle, looking back reveals how much actually got accomplished:

• Home & Organization: Deep-cleaned the garage, tackled extensive yard work and weeding, organized the office, and had the downstairs professionally painted.

• Family & Connection: Took an incredible summer road trip with the boys, coordinated sleepovers with their grandparents, caught a few Smokies games, and made time to nurture key friendships.

The Bittersweet Return to the School Routine

Am I glad the boys are going back to school? For them, yes. They missed their friends, and I want them to have that daily peer interaction that wasn't as easy to arrange during a summer spent shuttling from one activity to the next.

At the same time, I feel a heavy, familiar panic as the summer freedom closes out and we jump straight back into rigid schedules, fall baseball, and client hours. Without those extra buffer hours, I’m facing a compressed window between 7:30 AM and 2:45 PM to get everything done:

• See clients (though thankfully a few summer clients wrapped up, giving me space to consolidate my schedule).

• Squeeze in a hard workout and practice upcoming spin routines.

• Study for my ACE Personal Training Certification.

• Build out my client tracking dashboard and website content.

• Keep up with weekly therapy, meal prep, and house cleaning.

• Carve out dedicated time for me.

  
  

When I look at that list, I honestly don't know where all the hours will come from. Lately, that vital sense of personal vibrancy—the kind I felt re-ignited at Atlanta Mania—has been missing. I haven't played pickleball in weeks due to a hip injury and travel, haven't had a ladies' night, and rarely get downtime. I need to take that drive, find my footing, and bring that vibrancy back.

The Plan for the Week Ahead

How is it all going to work? I don't have every answer yet, but I know I need structure to protect my energy and prevent burnout. While flexibility was great for our road trip, a clear schedule keeps me grounded—even if it means saying "no" to last-minute plans so I don't wear myself thin.

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Here is how I am setting up the week for success:

• Home Life: Backpacks are prepped, lunches are being made for a quick midday turnaround tomorrow, and laundry is done. Crappy weather prevented a trip to Soaky Mountain, but some fun will be sprinkled in: the boys were allowed to make slime while Mom tackles computer work and prepares the grocery pickup lists. And later, as we trial DIY dirty sodas (as a bribe) to encourage weeding the yard and the final house pickup.

• Meal Prep Strategy: My own lunches and dinners are already prepared from previous prep trials—a "whatever is in the freezer" situation that meets my nutrition goals—supplemented by snackle-boxes and protein drinks.

• Meals for nights with the Boys: Black bean burgers with all the fixings, Big Mac salads, and packed lunches comprised of ham & cheese or PB&J sandwiches, nectarines, clementines, grapes, cucumbers, and bell peppers.

• Work & Admin: Client sessions are mapped out for the week, blog drafts are ready, and dedicated study blocks are set.

• Recharging My Battery: Headed to a Smokies game on Tuesday for free hot dog night (and some solo quiet time using my FREE voucher), getting a massage to help my body recover from heavy lifting and travel, shifting therapy to midweek around the school half-day, and maybe even adding some new ink at the tattoo convention this weekend! I'm also hoping to get the creative juices flowing as I relax and settle into making a piece of "art" for the newly painted living room.

Here’s to shifting gears, embracing the schedule, and turning nervous energy into momentum for the marathon ahead!

And to jump-start that marathon, a nod to the roller rink. There is something magical about roller skating—that total-body feeling when the music takes over. I used to feel it hitting the Round Lake Roller Rink in high school, and while my spin classes don't last for hours like those rink nights, I'm taking that exact high-energy vibe to the bike this week as we spin those wheels.