Motivation in the Mess: Summer Schedules, Mom Life & Getting Moving Again

Why Summer Messes With Motivation

Summer sounds like freedom—but for many moms, it also means no structure. And no structure often leads to: 

✅ Decision fatigue: When every day is wide open, every choice feels heavier. 

✅ Stalled mornings: Time gets “soaked up” by the ease of lounging or parenting on the fly. 

✅ No urgency: Without deadlines or transitions, workouts feel… optional. 

✅ Boredom disguised as freedom: Even the fun stuff can lose its spark without rhythm.

You’re Not Lazy—You’re Out of Structure

Let’s just call it what it is: summer throws off our systems. That doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It doesn’t mean you’ve lost your drive. It means your external anchors disappeared, and if you’re like me, those anchors were doing more work than I realized. Having to set my alarm to squeeze in a workout before the morning chaos of school drop-offs basically forced me out of bed and into action—because once that snooze button gets hit, the day runs me instead of the other way around.

When your kids' structure disappears, yours often follows. And that lack of rhythm? It messes with your momentum.

Know Thyself: What Kind of Motivation Do You Actually Need?
Some people truly can say, “I’ll work out whenever,” and actually do it. But for many of us, “whenever” turns into “never.”

Take a moment and ask yourself:

• Do I thrive with flexibility?

• Or do I need structure to feel steady?

Self-honesty matters more than motivation.
Summer isn’t the time to test your willpower—it’s the time to create a system that makes movement feel natural, not forced.

Reframing Motivation

Motivation doesn’t come before action.
Action creates motivation.

If you’re waiting to feel like it, you may be waiting a long time.

But if you take one small step—like putting on your shoes or stepping outside—you create momentum. And momentum is what carries you forward, especially when your routine is upside down.

Some days, you’ll pop out of bed ready to move. But other days? Not so much. That doesn’t mean you’re not motivated—it means you’re human.

Especially when your routine disappears, motivation needs a little help. That’s where having a plan, clear goals, or even a coach to check in with can make all the difference. It’s not about pushing harder—it’s about not having to figure it all out alone.

Grace & Grit: Finding the Balance

You’re allowed to slow down and follow a less regimented schedule—but that doesn’t mean throwing structure or your goals out the window completely.

Give yourself grace, but don’t lose sight of what you’re working toward.

• Set your alarm a little later if needed—just make sure it still allows time for your workout.

• Get creative with your movement—try including your kids in some workouts rather than squeezing them in separately.

• Use downtime wisely—stretch, foam roll, or fit in active recovery instead of letting the day drift away.

It’s not about rigid discipline; it’s about staying connected to the goals that make you feel strong, grounded, and like yourself.

One Thing to Try This Week

Ask yourself:
Do I need to rebuild a light schedule for me—even if my kids are free-form?

Choose just one small action this week that helps you feel more in motion. That could be a workout window, a morning walk, or simply committing to waking up before the chaos begins.

Next week, I’ll be sharing how I’m building my own summer rhythm—with a simple, realistic template you can use if you’re ready to join me.

Let’s get moving again—one small step at a time.