Have you ever felt the pressure to “just push through” one more busy season, promising yourself you’ll rest AFTER the holidays… but somehow, rest never comes?

You tell yourself, “I’ll slow down after Thanksgiving.” Then it becomes “after Christmas.” Then “after New Year’s.”
But before you know it, you’re already chasing new goals, running on fumes, and wondering why peace feels so far away.

Friend, I’ve been there.
And here’s the truth I had to learn the hard way:
Things won’t slow down unless you intentionally slow them down.

This week on the Faith Fueled Mompreneur Podcast, I’m kicking off a new three-part series called Break Free From Busy.

It’s an invitation to pause the constant striving and reclaim peace in your home, your business, and your heart, right in the middle of the Q4 chaos.

Why Q4 Always Feels So Heavy

There’s something about the end of the year that creates the perfect storm, the holidays, the school events, the end-of-year business push, and the endless pressure to make everything magical.

Even when your heart longs to focus on Jesus, it’s easy to get swept up in the cultural current of hustle. We say yes to everything before we stop and pray,
“Lord, is this even mine to carry?”

And here’s the enemy’s favorite tactic: if he can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.
Because when we’re distracted, we can’t hear God’s voice clearly, and that’s exactly what he wants.

What Busyness Is Quietly Robbing From You

Busyness doesn’t just fill your calendar. It empties your soul.
Here’s what it steals when we’re not paying attention:

Spiritually: We lose focus on the true reason for the season. We prepare for Christmas but miss Christ in the process.

Physically: We run on adrenaline and caffeine, forgetting that God can do far more with a rested mom than an overworked one.

Relationally: We’re present but disconnected, tag-teaming tasks with our spouse instead of connecting deeply.

Emotionally: We do all the “right” things but can’t enjoy them. We’re so busy doing that we forget how to be.

When we live in constant motion, we miss what God is doing right in front of us. He’s speaking, but we’re too hurried to listen.

The Lies That Keep You Stuck in the Cycle

If you’ve ever wondered why this happens every year, it’s because we’ve believed a few subtle lies:

Lie #1: “If I’m not busy, I’m not enough.”
Our worth becomes tangled up in how much we can handle, instead of who we are in Christ.

Lie #2: “Everyone else can handle it, why can’t I?”
Maybe you’ve always been the one who “does it all.” But just because you CAN doesn’t mean you SHOULD. God may be inviting you to protect your peace, not prove your strength.

Lie #3: “It’ll slow down after…”
After Thanksgiving. After Christmas. After the kids go back to school. But the truth is, it never does. There’s always a new reason to keep running.

What God Wants for You This Season

Jesus never asked you to carry a life of constant exhaustion.
In Matthew 11:28–30, He says:

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

If you’re already feeling the weight of this season before it even begins, the crowded calendar, the pressure, the tension in your shoulders, take this as your invitation to pause.

You don’t have to earn rest.
You just have to accept it.

A Faith-Fueled Invitation

This month, I’m hosting something brand new The Faith Fueled Fireside, a free Zoom gathering for Christian mom business owners who want to slow down, reconnect, and prepare their hearts before the holidays hit full swing.

We’ll talk about what it means to RELEASE BUSY, set healthy boundaries, and align your life with God’s peace, not the world’s pace.

Our first Fireside happens on October 23rd, and I’d love for you to join us.

From My Heart to Yours

Busyness will always demand more.
But God will always invite you to less.
Less striving. Less noise. Less pressure to perform.

So this week, ask yourself:
What is busyness robbing from me right now?

Bring that to the Lord. Lay it at His feet.
And remember, things won’t slow down on their own, but they WILL slow down when you choose to.

You are not alone in this journey, mama.
I’m cheering you on, and I can’t wait to walk through this series with you.

With love and grace,

Related Podcast Episodes: 

1. Ep 208. How to Tune Into God’s Voice in a Noisy World
2. Ep 199. Breaking Up with Hustle Culture
3. Ep 198. Finding Peace in the Messy Middle

Resources:

1. Learn more about the Collective Mastermind – A Christ-centered space for ambitious mompreneurs who are ready to align their life and business with the Lord.
2. Join the Faith-Fueled Fireside on October 23rd at 11AM (AZ Time) – This virtual gathering is an opportunity to connect with like minded mamas who are ready to trade hustle for peace this season.
3. Join the Free Purpose Gathering Community – A welcoming space for Christian mompreneurs to connect, grow, and be encouraged in both life and business.
4. Have a question for me? Or a specific struggle you’re dealing with? I’ll address your question on the podcast. Submit your ‘Ask Ashley’ question here
5. Please connect with me on Instagram @thepurposegathering