Have you ever promised yourself, “This holiday season will be different,” only to find your calendar overflowing again before it even begins?

Between the school events, family gatherings, business deadlines, and all the “fun” things that somehow end up feeling like obligations, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters.

That’s why today’s episode wraps up our Break Free From Busy series with something we all need to hear:
Things won’t slow down unless you intentionally slow them down.

If you’ve listened to the first two parts, you know we’ve talked about how busyness robs what matters most and how to shift from survival mode to sacred stewardship. In this final part, we’re getting practical about how to protect what’s sacred by creating boundaries that guard your peace, your family, and your connection with God.

Boundaries Are Not Selfish, They’re Stewardship

When you think of a boundary, imagine a fence around something valuable. That fence doesn’t keep good things out, it keeps the most important things safe.

Setting boundaries isn’t selfish. It’s stewardship. It’s protecting what God has entrusted to you: your faith, your family, your time, your physical energy, and your peace.

Here are a few examples of what this might look like in your season:

• Limiting holiday commitments to two per week so your kids (and you) aren’t overstimulated
• Ending your workday at a specific time to protect family evenings
• Blocking off quiet mornings to spend your first moments with God

Boundaries are how you intentionally slow down. And they remind your heart that saying no to the world’s pressure is saying yes to God’s peace.

Saying “No” Without Guilt

If you struggle with guilt when you say no, you’re not alone. Most of us do.

But here’s the truth: every time you say yes to something, you’re saying no to something else.
So before agreeing, pause and ask yourself:

“If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?”

You might realize that saying yes to one more commitment means saying no to rest, family time, or time with the Lord.

And that’s not worth it.

When you say no to what God isn’t asking of you, you create space to say yes to what He is asking.

Here are a few simple, polite ways to say no without guilt:

• “That sounds lovely, but we’re keeping our schedule simple this year.”
• “We’re protecting family time this season.”
• “I wish we could join, but we’re saying yes to less right now.”

You don’t owe anyone a long explanation. You owe obedience to the One who gives you peace.

Create Sacred Margin

Margin isn’t wasted time. It’s sacred space.

It’s the breathing room between your load and your limits. It’s where you rest, listen, and let God move.

And here’s the thing: you have to create it. It won’t appear on its own.

Try this:

• Block one hour a week with nothing scheduled and literally label it “margin.”
• Say no to one or two things you’d normally say yes to.
• Protect one full day each week with no plans.

White space in your life isn’t a sign of laziness. It’s a sign of trust. When you create margin, you make room for God’s voice to be louder than the noise of the world.

What Jesus Modeled About Boundaries

Even Jesus had boundaries. He withdrew from the crowds to pray. He rested. He said no to demands that weren’t part of His Father’s will.

If He needed space to recharge and connect with the Father, why do we believe we don’t?

God modeled rest from the very beginning. Boundaries aren’t about restriction. They’re about rhythm. They help us live within the grace God has given us for this season.

A Faith-Fueled Invitation

If you’re craving more peace and connection as we head into the holiday season, I want to personally invite you to join me for our Faith-Fueled Fireside, a free monthly Zoom gathering for Christian mompreneurs.

It’s happening on October 23rd, and we’ll be talking about how to set real-life boundaries that protect what matters most. Bring your questions, your wins, and your struggles. We’ll unpack it all together in a safe, faith-filled space.

You can save your spot through the link in the show notes.

From My Heart to Yours

Friend, boundaries aren’t about missing out. They’re about making space for what truly matters.

They protect your peace, your family, and your ability to hear from God.
They turn chaos into calm and pressure into presence.

So this week, choose one boundary to put in place.
Maybe it’s closing your laptop at 5 PM.
Maybe it’s saying no to that extra event.
Maybe it’s simply protecting your morning quiet time.

Whatever it looks like for you, start there.

Because when you say no to what God isn’t asking you to do,
you finally get to say yes to what He is.

With love and grace,

Related Podcast Episodes: 

1. Ep 221. Break Free from Busy: Choosing a Different Path (Part 2)
2. Ep 220. Break Free from Busy: How Busyness Robs What Matters Most (Part 1)
3. Ep 208. How to Tune Into God’s Voice in a Noisy World
4. 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.