Living a Life That’s Full (of What Actually Matters)

Some mornings, my hands are full—literally. I might be writing copy with my laptop on the counter, holding a baby cuddled in the crook of my arm, and trying to scramble a few eggs for the family for breakfast. Trust me, the coffee is already brewing on mornings like this.

My to-do list often involves everything from crafting websites to managing snack time, tackling a mountain of laundry, and navigating nap schedules. It’s a life that could easily feel chaotic, but here’s the thing—it doesn’t. My days are full, but they’re also joyful.  

Why? Because being “full” doesn’t mean being “busy.” And it certainly doesn’t mean running myself into the ground to feel “productive.”  

Instead, I’ve learned that a full life is an intentional one. It’s about prioritizing what matters, making meaningful progress toward my goals, and pouring my heart into the things I truly value.  

But the world doesn’t always paint it that way, does it? We’ve been sold this idea that being busy is a badge of honor. The more boxes you check, the more valuable you are. That juggling a million things means you’re successful. But here’s the truth—there’s a world of difference between being productive and just being busy. And if we’re not careful, it’s easy to confuse the two.

When Busyness Steals the Show

I’ve been there. Oh, have I been there. 

Those days when the to-do list stares you down. Three deadlines before lunchtime, snack cups 24/7, a toddler demanding “just one more” story, and laundry that never seems to stop piling up. I’d be darting from room to room, item to item, keeping busy—constantly moving, constantly checking things off.

But at the end of the day, I’d sit there wondering…did I actually accomplish anything meaningful? Sure, I stayed busy. But intentional? I’m not so sure.  

The truth smacked me in the face gently one day while staring at my inbox.   It wasn’t about how much got done—it was about the stuff that really made me feel alive.

The moments that matter most weren’t the ones working my way down the daily to-do list. It was brewing coffee slowly in the morning while my daughter crawled over. Or writing copy for a client and watching a sleeping toddler through her monitor. It was pausing long enough to kiss boo-boos and tell bedtime stories. Those were the moments that stuck.

Busyness often crowds out intentionality. You can pack your day with tasks, but miss the joy that’s found in the little moments. What I’ve learned is that being truly productive comes from focusing on what aligns with your values, what lights you up, and what creates real impact in your life and work.  

The Myth of Busyness  

Confession time? I’ve done it. I’ve fallen for the hustle-harder trap. That brainwash-y loop where you convince yourself that looking busiest is a badge of honor and you’re just being busy for the sake of being busy. While scrolling through Instagram, I felt like everyone was on the go. I saw endless posts about successful site launches, new products, being booked out months in advance, and, of course, perfectly curated and polished family vacations. But busyness doesn’t equal success, and constant hustle doesn’t mean we’re making an impact.  

The best work doesn’t always come from hustling the hardest. The best work comes when I’m dialed in, focused, and intentional—when I prioritize doing good work over just overwhelming myself with more work.  

Defining True Productivity  

For me, true productivity is when my work aligns with my values and goals. I’ve been running my own business and staying home with my girls for a few months now, and it’s my dream job—no matter what the setting looks like. Whether I’m writing websites in a quiet coffee shop or writing a quick email with a baby on my hip, my work doesn’t “feel” like work. It feels purposeful.  

This alignment hasn’t made my days easy—some are hard, and some are downright messy. But just because something is hard doesn’t mean it’s bad. I end each night exhausted but fulfilled, knowing I spent my day doing exactly what I was made for—raising my daughters and telling stories that matter.  

That’s the secret to productivity. It isn’t about squeezing in more tasks. It’s about identifying the ones that truly matter and pouring ourselves into them.  

Signs You Might Be Stuck in Busyness Mode  

Think you’re stuck in busyness mode? Here are some telltale signs to watch for:

• You’re constantly multitasking but never feel “done.”
• Your to-do list always feels longer by the end of the day.
• You’re saying “yes” to everything, even when it stretches you too thin.
• You’re always “on,” and the idea of rest feels almost…wrong.

If any of these resonate with you, it may be time to reassess how you’re approaching your work and life.  

Shifting Into a Productive, Intentional Life  

How do we shift into intentional, focused productivity? Here are some small but impactful changes to help you reclaim your time and energy:

• Shrink your to-do list: Instead of listing 20 things you might get to, focus on the top 3–5 that will truly move the needle in your personal and professional life.  
• Set boundaries like your sanity depends on it (because, um, it does): Guard your time fiercely, whether that means turning off notifications during family dinner or saying “no” to projects that don’t align with your values.  
• Pause the “Yes” reflex: Before adding another task to your plate, ask yourself, “Does this align with my goals?”  
• Find joy in the small moments: The kind of joy that sneaks up in tiny, “boring” moments. The slow sip of coffee. The toddler’s sticky hug. The magic of now.

Heart Over Hustle  

At the end of the day, it’s not how much you got done that truly matters. It’s whether you did what mattered. Whether you hugged your kids. Whether you poured your heart into work that fills your soul. Whether you showed up for your loved ones.  

That’s the beauty of living a full, intentional life—there’s no right or wrong way to do it. It looks different for everyone because we all have unique values and experiences.

Here’s my challenge for you: tomorrow, when you sit down to plan your day, pause and ask, “Does this task matter to me? Will it leave me more full than frazzled?” If the answer is yes, go for it. If not, set it aside—and give yourself the freedom to focus on what does.

Because, friend, your time is too valuable to waste on being just busy. It’s time to get intentional, do good work, and create a life that’s not just full—but full of joy.