Have you ever felt like your friendships are slipping through your fingers, no matter how much you care? Life as a working mom can feel like a constant juggling act, and often, friendships are the first thing to drop when time gets tight.
It’s not that you don’t value your friends—it’s just that between work, kids, and everything else on your plate, it can feel impossible to find the time or energy to connect. You might even feel guilty for wanting that connection as if carving out time for yourself takes something away from your family.
But here’s the thing: friendships aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. They remind you that you’re not alone that someone else gets what you’re going through. Whether it’s a quick text or an hour-long conversation, those moments can make all the difference in how you feel about your day.
Think about the last time you laughed so hard with a friend that it felt like a weight was lifted off your shoulders. When was the last time you felt truly understood without having to explain yourself? These are the kinds of connections that can keep us grounded, even when life feels chaotic.
Yet, for so many moms, it feels like friendships belong in the “someday” pile—the pile of things we’ll get to once everything else is done. But let’s be honest: when is everything ever done?
What if finding your tribe isn’t about adding something else to your to-do list but about enriching the life you’re already living? What if it’s about realizing that connection doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming—it just has to be intentional?
Friendships aren’t just a luxury for when you have extra time (does that even exist?). They’re a lifeline, a source of energy and comfort, and they can help you be the best version of yourself—for you and everyone else who depends on you.
So, here’s my question for you: what would your life look like if you had a tribe of women who truly had your back? Let’s talk about why this matters and how you can make it happen, even with everything else on your plate.
This week, I’m going to discuss why it feels so hard to maintain friendships when you’re a busy working mom and how building meaningful relationships doesn’t have to be complicated.
Why it feels so hard to maintain friendships when you’re a busy working mom
It can be overwhelming to think about how friendships have changed since becoming a working mom. The carefree days of calling a friend on a whim or spending hours catching up feel like a distant memory.
Now, even thinking about adding one more thing to your plate can feel exhausting, even when it’s something as important as friendship.
The challenge often starts with time—or, more specifically, the lack of it. Every day feels packed with tasks and responsibilities, and the idea of setting aside time for something that isn’t “essential” can seem impossible.
It’s easy to tell yourself that friendships can wait, that there will be more time later. But that “later” often never comes, and the months or even years go by without the connections you crave.
There’s also the very real issue of energy. After a long day of meetings, deadlines, and family obligations, the last thing you might feel like doing is picking up the phone or planning a get-together.
Even if you know it will make you feel better, the effort it takes can feel like too much. When you’ve been working all day, the thought of going home and putting pajamas on sounds pretty good.
And then there’s the emotional side of it. Friendships require vulnerability—letting someone see the real you with all the stress, worries, and imperfections that come with being a busy mom.
That can be hard when you’re already feeling stretched thin or when it feels like everyone else has it more together than you do. The fear of being judged or misunderstood can make it easier to stay in your comfort zone, even if that comfort zone feels isolating.
For some moms, the problem is finding the right people. Maybe your old friends have moved on to different life stages, or your paths no longer align.
Or maybe you’ve moved, changed jobs, or simply drifted apart. Starting fresh can feel daunting, especially when your time and energy are already spread so thin.
For many years, my tribe consisted of my best friend and her group of friends. But once the friendship ended, all those relationships ended with it.
The hardest part about all of this is how it can sneak up on you. You might not even realize how much you miss having a strong support system until you’re in the middle of a tough day or week, wishing you had someone to lean on.
It’s in those moments that the absence of meaningful friendships becomes most noticeable, leaving you feeling isolated and overwhelmed.
The truth is, the demands of being a working mom often push friendships to the back burner. But ignoring those connections can leave a gap in your life that nothing else can fill.
Friendships aren’t just a “nice to have” part of life—they’re a key piece of your well-being, giving you the emotional fuel to handle everything else that comes your way. And while it might feel like there’s no time or space for them right now, finding your tribe is worth the effort. You deserve to feel supported, seen, and connected.
But what if reconnecting with friends or building new ones didn’t have to feel so overwhelming? Let’s explore how you can start finding your tribe, even with the busy life you’re juggling.
Building meaningful relationships doesn’t have to be complicated
Building meaningful friendships as a busy working mom doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. It’s not about adding more to your already full plate—it’s about making small, intentional choices to prioritize connection in ways that fit into your life.
When you shift your mindset from “I don’t have time for friendships” to “How can I nurture connections with the time I already have?” it becomes easier to take those first steps.
The first thing is to start small. Sometimes, the idea of rekindling old friendships or forming new ones feels like a huge project. But it doesn’t have to be.
Think of one person you’ve been meaning to reach out to—a friend you haven’t talked to in months or even years. Send them a simple text like, “Hey, I’ve been thinking about you and would love to catch up. How have you been?”
It’s amazing how often this small act can lead to a meaningful reconnection. The key is not to overthink it—just start.
The second thing is if reaching out feels intimidating, focus on shared activities. Combining friendship with things you’re already doing is a great way to make connections feel effortless.
Do you have a daily walk or workout? Invite a friend to join you. Need to grocery shop or grab a coffee? Ask someone to come along.
Turning everyday tasks into opportunities to connect can make it feel less like an extra obligation and more like a natural part of your routine.
The third thing is that being intentional with your time is another game-changer. Friendships are just as important as other parts of your life, so treat them that way.
Schedule a time to connect, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Maybe it’s a quick phone call on your commute, a virtual coffee chat during your lunch break, or a weekly check-in over text. When you block out time for connection, you’re more likely to follow through.
The fourth thing is that finding new friends can feel daunting, but there are ways to make it easier—especially for someone balancing a demanding accounting career.
If you’re in the middle of tax season and can’t imagine squeezing in a big outing, start small. Look for groups or communities where you can meet others who understand your unique challenges as a CPA mom.
For example, The CPA MOMS Facebook group is filled with women juggling deadlines, client demands, and family responsibilities. Posting something as simple as, ‘How do you all manage client calls with school pick-ups?’ can spark connections with people who instantly understand your world. You might even find someone nearby who’d love to grab coffee during lunch.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of vulnerability. One of the quickest ways to form deeper friendships is to be open about what you’re going through. It’s easy to feel like you need to appear like you’ve got it all together, but being honest can create stronger connections.
For example, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, try saying, “I’m having one of those weeks where everything feels like too much. Have you ever felt like that?” More often than not, the person you’re talking to will respond with relief and understanding because they’ve been there, too.
Friendships don’t have to look like long dinners or hours of deep conversation. Even small, consistent interactions can create strong bonds.
A good example is sending a quick voice memo to a friend to check-in. Maybe it’s just a “Hey, I saw something that reminded me of you!” or “I hope you’re doing okay—thinking about you.” These tiny moments of connection can be enough to keep a friendship alive when life is busy.
Another great way to stay connected is to start a tradition. It could be a monthly coffee date, a Friday morning walk, or even a shared hobby you both enjoy. Traditions don’t have to be elaborate—they just need to be consistent.
For example, one mom might plan a virtual book club with friends, while another could organize a casual “Friday night check-in” where friends share a quick update about their week. These traditions create a sense of predictability and make it easier to stay connected.
Finally, give yourself permission to let friendships evolve. Sometimes, life changes and relationships change with it. That’s okay.
The goal isn’t to hold onto every single friendship you’ve ever had—it’s to focus on the connections that add value to your life now. If some friendships fade, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means you’re making space for the people who truly fit into your current season of life.
Finding your tribe takes time and effort, but it doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Start small, be intentional, and look for ways to make the connection feel natural.
The friendships you nurture will not only make your life richer—they’ll remind you that you’re never truly alone, no matter how busy life gets.
Questions to consider
Question: Who in my life have I been meaning to reconnect with, and what’s stopping me?
Think about a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Maybe it’s someone you used to be close with but lost touch due to the busyness of life. Ask yourself why you’ve been putting it off. Is it fear of feeling awkward after so much time? Or maybe you’re waiting for the “perfect” time to reach out? Understanding what’s holding you back can help you take that first step, even if it’s as simple as sending a quick text.
Question: How can I make connecting with others a natural part of my routine?
Consider your daily or weekly schedule and look for opportunities to weave friendships into the flow of your life. For example, could you call a friend during your commute, invite someone to join you for a walk, or check in with a quick voice memo while waiting in the carpool line? This question helps you see that connection doesn’t have to be an extra task—it can fit seamlessly into what you’re already doing.
Question: What kind of tribe do I want to build, and how will it support me?
Think about the type of relationships you want in your life. Are you looking for people who share similar experiences, like being a working mom? Do you want friends who can offer advice, a listening ear, or just a good laugh? Getting clear on what you need from your tribe can help you be intentional about where to look for connections and how to nurture them. It’s not about quantity—it’s about quality and having people who truly understand and support you.