Hey friend,
Summer is officially here.
Which means pool days, lake trips, and floating down the river.
It means bike rides, ice cream socials, and out-of-state family visits.
The constant shuffle of packing and repacking bags with swimsuits, snacks, and sunscreen.
As the boys bike across Kansas, I find myself enjoying a rare cool morning to reflect and soak it all in.
The birds are singing.
The studio door is wide open.
Eva is crawling around in her pajamas.
And I was able to squeeze in a strength training workout before she woke up.
Win!
And in the peaceful pause before packing the diaper bag for another outing, I find myself reflecting on preparation.
This is what I'm realizing:
Preparation isn’t just about getting things ready.
It’s about getting me ready.
It’s not just about the items in the bag, it’s about aligning my energy so I can show up fully for whatever’s next.
When we prepare, we’re not just organizing.
We’re making space, for joy, presence, and ease.
We’re creating the conditions for a beautiful moment to actually be felt.
Preparation can come from anxiety (trying to control everything).
But it can also come from alignment (setting ourselves up to be grounded and present).
And that’s how I want to approach this summer.
I’m learning to see my daily strength training as preparation,
not something I should do, but something that readies my mind and body to move through the day with clarity, stability, and energy.
I’m learning to see organizing the house as preparation,
not just frantically cleaning to try and chase sanity, but joyfully creating space for play, snacks, crafts, and cousin hangouts to feel easy.
Even packing the pool bag becomes preparation,
not just tossing things in so we can get there as fast as possible, but thinking ahead so our afternoons feel light and fun instead of scattered and stressful.
When we start the day, or the season, from a place of readiness, everything shifts:
• We feel steady even when summer is loud
• We move with intention instead of rushing through the day
• We create calm within chaos, and clarity within movement
It’s not about being perfect.
But it is about choosing alignment over anxiety.
Ease over exhaustion.
Joy over frenzy.
What would it feel like to spend just 15 minutes today prepping something to help you, your family, or your business to thrive?
Pack a bag.
Tidy a space.
Prep the fridge.
Lay out the clothes.
Go on a walk or move your body.
One simple thing I’m excited to do?
Is to set up a coffee/tea station in our backyard studio.
It’s an insanely small thing, but instead of breaking flow, getting even more distracted running inside to make another coffee or tea, we can make a drink in the studio and continue working.
Tiny things.
But they ripple.
They make the day feel different.
More grounded.
More aligned.
Because a little preparation isn't just about surviving the moment, it's a about thoughtful preparation that makes space for presence and ultimately joy.
The small ways we prepare are often the quiet foundations of the big life we’re building.
Here’s to building a life you love,
Maggie & Adam
P.S. What’s one small prep move you made this week that created more ease, presence, and joy in your life? Personally, at home, or at work?
Reply and let us know, we’d love to cheer you on & get ideas!