Time is a funny thing. It moves slowly in the day-to-day, but somehow, I blinked and my little boy turned eight and my 13-year-old Charlie has a moustache and size 11 mens feet. And lately, I’ve been feeling something I think a lot of moms can relate to – a quiet ache that maybe, in trying to balance everything, I’ve missed more than I meant to.
It hit me in the quietest of ways – folding laundry, watching my boys grow taller seemingly overnight, glancing at the clock after another late work night. The realization that I’ve made trades with my time that I wish I hadn’t, often without even knowing it, landed quietly… and heavily.
The Cost of Doing It All
Like so many moms, I’ve tried to do it all. I love my work, and I’m proud of what I’ve built. I’ve poured my heart into it, and I’ve always hoped that passion would be a positive example to my kids – to show them that work can be meaningful and fulfilling. But over the years, the lines between work and life have blurred more than I care to admit. When your office is in your home and your job is your passion, it’s a beautiful mix – but also a tricky one.
There have been countless “just one more thing” moments – nights I missed the movie, mornings I rushed past the snuggles, days where I let work steal time from my kids, my husband, and myself. And while I don’t regret building something I love, I’ve started to see the cost. I had to level with myself: it’s time for me to push reset on how I manage my days. Because if nothing changes, nothing changes.
Why I Needed a Reset
It wasn’t one big, dramatic moment that sparked this reflection – it was a slow unfolding. Watching my boys grow older. Feeling the tug of burnout. Realizing that my youngest, Max, is still little – but not for long.
As moms, we carry so much. We strive to do it all, to be everything to everyone. And in that striving, the days can blur. We tell ourselves we’ll have more time later, but sometimes later doesn’t come the way we hoped. This trip was my way of creating a pocket of now – something for just the two of us to tuck away in our hearts.
A Trip for Just the Two of Us
So, I made a choice. I said yes to something I normally might have put off. While Charles took Charlie to Spain for a soccer camp, I booked a solo adventure to London with Max – just the two of us. Eight days together, exploring, connecting, and soaking in the magic of being somewhere new.
The truth is, I wasn’t even sure it was the right idea the day before we left. We weren’t exactly seeing eye to eye, I was exhausted trying to wrap up a deadline, and I worried we’d clash the whole time. But I’m so glad I pushed through the doubts.
Because this trip was an absolute gift.
We needed the space – away from routines, chores, distractions. We needed the time – just us, without interruptions.
No distractions, no schedule packed to the brim (my default – I always try to cram in too much). Just time together in a beautiful city (London stole my heart), walking cobblestone streets at his pace, exploring museums, slowly sipping hot chocolate (or coffee, for me) at a café watching the world go by, and simply being in each other’s orbit without the rush of everyday life.
There was a moment, watching him dance his way through the subway (he literally doesn’t sit still), where I watched him skip and spin along without a care who was watching, and realized how fleeting this stage is. How quickly he’s growing into someone new. And how lucky I am to witness it – if I slow down enough to really see it.
What London Gave Us
Here’s what this solo trip gave us:
Memories that are ours alone – ones we’ll carry forever.
A sense of wonder – exploring new places reminded us of how much beauty and possibility is out there.
A reset – a chance to step outside of our everyday and really be together.
Presence – the kind you can’t fake, can’t rush, and don’t get back once it’s gone.
A deeper bond – I saw Max more clearly than I have in a long time, and I’m in awe of the thoughtful, kind, hilarious little human he’s becoming.
Your Sign to Slow Down
If you’ve been feeling the weight of trying to do it all – juggling work, family, expectations, and everything in between – you’re not alone. And if you’re waiting for the “right” time to press pause and be present… maybe this is your sign.
You don’t need a big trip across the ocean. You just need a moment of now – a chance to be with the people you love while they’re still little, while they still want you close, while the time is still yours to take.
Because time won’t slow down for us. But we can choose to slow down for it.
With love,
Tori
PS: I am writing a blog about the trip, should you be considering London as a destination! Stay tuned…
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