Summer Schedules, Chaos, and Mid-Year Resolutions

Genie Love • May 29, 2025

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Am I the only parent who feels like summers are a bit (or a lot!) more chaotic?

Maybe it’s because I work from home and now there’s another human around who needs my attention. I feel this constant pressure to balance work, be available, be present with work and with my daughter, to limit screen time. It’s like an emotional tug-of-war. It feels a little out of control.

Each year, I try to mentally prepare for the seismic shift that is having a kid out of school. But it still gets me.

Whatever age your kids are, if they spend 9 months out of the year at school outside of your house, having them home is a big adjustment. Whether you’re:


  • juggling daycare pickups and drop-offs,
  • organizing summer camps,
  • helping them navigate their first job,
  • trying to limit tech use,
  • or squeezing in lake trips and pool days...

It’s a lot.

And all of that is on top of the regular household responsibilities you manage and the work you do outside (or inside) your home.

If this sounds a bit like your world, here’s a thought: Let’s pause for mid-year resolutions. Or, more specifically, summer resolutions.

I’ve been doing this quietly for a few years now without really realizing it, and I think it helps. I take a little time to re-prioritize. Ask myself: What do I want from this summer? What do I want more of? And maybe more importantly, what can I let go of?

Because if you're like me, the days may be longer, but the time somehow feels shorter.

For me, this summer’s resolutions look like:


  • Simpler dinners (I love to cook, but good, healthy food does not need to be complicated)
  • A messier house (so I won't be hosting, sorry...)
  • Starting work earlier in the morning (I’m a morning person and lucky to have a flexible schedule)
  • Prioritizing screen-free fun with my daughter in the afternoons
  • Active family weekends

So, if you're heading into a wild summer too, take a pause and try writing your own summer resolutions.

And, please share, what are you choosing to let go of? We need to support each other.


Want to learn more about my work?


LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genie-love-beyond-coaching/


YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt_ciMlkbqElTXqRZLLWWGg

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Sometimes My Brain Feels Like a Snow Globe

By Genie Love • August 27, 2025
My daughter used to say, "I just want to go home" when she was completely overwhelmed and felt out of control (even though she was home and safe). It's like inside her head felt too hard to be in, and she wanted to escape somewhere calm. Too much noise. Too loud. Too busy. Chaotic. These are words my clients use to describe what's happening in their brain when it's all just too much. Too overwhelming. To me, when it all feels out of control and I finally notice it and stop, it feels like a snow globe settling. The swirling slows down, the chaos quiets, and I can think again. The key is finally noticing that this is going on inside your brain. And, it's really hard to do. When Your Brain Feels Like a Snow Globe You're using too many words when talking. Going in circles, over-explaining, can't get to your point. If you notice you're spiraling when you talk, that's good. That's the first step. Too many things going on. Everything feels urgent and overwhelming. You're stuck or frozen but also frantic. Just notice that it's happening. Too many ideas. You're bouncing from one to another and can't seem to stick to any and see it through. Good, just start by noticing it. Spiraling negative self-talk. "Everyone else has it figured out. This is all about to fall apart." Just try to notice it when it's happening. Here's What You Can Do Just notice that it's happening. That's it. Try one of these (whatever feels doable right now): Turn your phone off. Turn your monitor off. Do nothing for a couple of minutes. Go for a short walk, even if it's just to the end of your driveway or hallway. Stare out the window. Just look. Circular breathing (breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth, like you're blowing out birthday candles). Rub your fingertips together and pay attention to all the sensations you feel. Breathe deeply into your belly. Take a sip of your drink and really notice the temperature, the taste, how it feels going down. Be Gentle With Yourself It's very hard to catch the chaotic brain when it's happening. Even if you only realize hours later..."Oh, that's what was happening this morning when I couldn't think straight"...that's still good. That's still building your awareness and noticing skills. You don't have to be perfect at this. Just start by noticing. The snow globe will settle when you give it time. Tell me, what does your busy brain feel like? P.S. A short Instagram video in the comments of Dr. Andrew Huberman demonstrating a breathing technique that's new to me. I'll be giving it a try.  Want to learn more about my work? Website: https://neuroautonomy.com/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt_ciMlkbqElTXqRZLLWWGg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genielove_coaching/

Energy Isn’t Always Consistent. And That’s Okay

By Genie Love • August 22, 2025
For some reason today, I’m thinking about Olympic runners. The sprinters, the marathoners, and the ones who specialize in that middle distance where you have to balance sprinting with maintaining a steady pace. Each event asks something different from the athletes. And the athletes are built differently. Their bodies are designed to do very specific things, at very specific intensities, for specific durations. The same is true in a lot of sports. I love the Tour de France, and even though everyone rides the same distance, each rider has a specialty. Climbers, sprinters, those who lead the pack...all with very different strengths and different builds. I think brains work this way too. Yet...We Expect Every Brain to Run the Same Race...The Same Way In work and life, we tend to expect everyone to maintain the same pace, hour after hour, day after day. Steady output. Consistent energy. Linear productivity. For neurodivergent people, this expectation can feel brutal. Some brains go all-in at 150% effort in hyperfocus mode for a distance, but need real recovery afterward. Some days they’re at 50% and beat themselves up because they can't maintain a steady speed like everyone else. A Tool for Checking In I once heard Brene Brown describe a system she uses with her husband to check in at the end of the day. They ask each other: How much emotional energy do you have left to give tonight? One might say, “I’ve got 40%.” The other might respond, “Okay, I can cover the other 60%.” Sometimes they both come in low, and they agree to lower the bar and make adjustments to the evening. What if we used this strategy more often, especially if you’re neurodivergent and experience emotional or sensory overwhelm? What If You Tried This? Start by checking in with yourself: How much energy do I realistically have? Can I communicate that to my partner, family, my team? Or, at the very least, communicate that to yourself so you are aware. If you’re at 20%, it’s okay to say so. If you’re at 80%, step up and give more. If you're at 150%, go all in. This isn’t about fairness, it’s about honesty. And it might help you respond with more compassion (for yourself and others) instead of snapping or shutting down. You’re not a machine. Your brain may not built for a steady pace all the time. Check in with your energy. Communicate if that's what's needed. Definitely give yourself permission to work differently. And adjust accordingly. Want to learn more about my work? Website: https://neuroautonomy.com/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt_ciMlkbqElTXqRZLLWWGg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genielove_coaching/
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