If a typical morning for you involves barely taking a sip of coffee before the demands start coming in, the kids needing something, the emails starting to ping, and your mind already racing through a never-ending to-do list, you’re definitely not alone. The truth is that many accountant moms feel like they’re constantly juggling, with hardly any time left over for themselves.
The question is, have you ever wished you had just a little extra space in your life? Not more things to do, but more room to do them—more breathing room between tasks, more time to pause, and more energy left at the end of the day?
If that idea sounds like a distant dream, you’re in good company. For so many working moms, especially those of us in demanding professions like accounting, the concept of having space in your life can feel like a luxury you just don’t have.
But what if creating this kind of space—what I call creating “margin”—was actually within reach? What if it was more about small, intentional changes than a massive overhaul?
The truth is, adding a little margin to your life isn’t about creating a perfect balance (because let’s be real, that doesn’t exist) but instead about carving out a bit of room to breathe, recharge, and focus on what matters most. It’s about reducing the clutter in your schedule and clearing out what drains you so you can spend your energy on things that genuinely fulfill you.
Creating margin means having enough time to finish a task without rushing into the next one, enough energy to enjoy time with family without feeling completely depleted, and the freedom to say “yes” to what brings you joy—and “no” to what doesn’t. It’s about setting boundaries that help you protect your time and energy, even when the world around you seems to want more of both.
But how do you actually go about creating this elusive margin? It’s one thing to recognize the need for it, but putting it into action is a whole other story.
Many of us end up trying to do it all, only to feel stretched even thinner in the process. What if, instead, there was a simple way to rethink how you manage your time and energy?
That’s what I want to explore in today’s episode – how you can bring more margin or space into your life with four straightforward principles. These aren’t about perfection or adding more to your plate—instead, they’re about small shifts that can make a big difference.
Imagine having a plan to clear out the noise, focus on what really matters, and free up your schedule in ways that let you be present without feeling overwhelmed. Curious how it all works? Let’s dive in.
This week, I’m going to discuss the concept of “creating margin” and the 4 C’s for creating margin in your life.
The concept of “creating margin”
Do you ever feel like your days just blur together? Like you’re constantly rushing from one thing to the next, and by the time you hit the pillow at night, you’re wondering where all the time went?
I know I’ve felt that way—it’s as if no matter how much you try to plan and stay on top of things, there’s just never enough room to breathe.
You start the day with the best intentions, thinking, “This time, I’ve got it all under control.” But then life happens.
A meeting runs longer than expected, an email pops up that “has to be handled now,” and just as you’re about to tackle your next task, one of the kids needs you. It’s a lot. And by the end of the day, it’s hard not to feel drained and wonder how you’re supposed to make time for the things that actually matter to you.
Let me take you back to school for a second. Remember those notebook pages with the blank margins on the sides? They were there for a reason.
Those margins gave you space—to add notes, highlight something important, or just leave a little room so the page didn’t feel completely crammed. Without them, everything would have been a chaotic mess, hard to read and even harder to manage.
I believe that life works the same way. When you don’t leave any margin, it feels overwhelming and cluttered. There’s no wiggle room for the unexpected, no chance to pause and catch your breath, and no space to reflect or adjust.
Every task is squeezed right up against the next, and even the smallest hiccup can throw everything off. But when you leave a little margin—just a bit of space around the edges—it’s like giving yourself permission to breathe. It lets you focus on what’s important, handle the unexpected, and feel more in control.
For example, I used to build a 30-minute buffer between work and picking up the kids. I’d use that time to relax in the car—most of the time, I’d put the seat back and take a quick nap. That little margin helped me recharge so I could actually enjoy the time with my kids instead of showing up stressed and frazzled.
These days, I keep Wednesdays free of coaching calls. That way, I can have a slower-paced day and still feel energized for date night with my husband. And during tax season, I make sure I’m done working by 2 p.m. on Saturdays, so I can have the rest of the weekend to do something fun or just relax.
It’s not about doing less; it’s about creating space to do things in a way that feels more manageable—and way less stressful.
Without margin, even the tiniest curveball can throw your whole day out of whack. But when you create just a little breathing room, you can handle the unexpected, stay grounded, and focus on what really matters.
The best part is that creating margin doesn’t mean you have to overhaul your entire life. It’s simpler than you think. Let me show you how the four C’s can help you build the kind of margin that makes everything feel just a little lighter.
The 4 C’s for creating margin in your life
Creating margin doesn’t mean you have to say no to everything or slash your to-do list in half (although let’s be real—that probably wouldn’t hurt!). It’s more about making intentional choices in a few key areas that give you the breathing room you need. Think of it as adding some space around the edges of your day—space to adjust, to catch your breath, and to just be present.
Let’s walk through the four C’s that can help make this happen.
1. Create a Personal Priority List
You know how easy it is to get swept up in what everyone else needs from you? Before you know it, your whole day is spent on other people’s priorities, and there’s no time left for the things that matter most to you.
That’s where creating a personal priority list comes in. It’s about getting crystal clear on what’s most important and making sure your time and energy reflect those priorities.
For example, if spending quality time with your family is at the top of your list, you could decide to make family dinners a non-negotiable, even if it means saying no to that extra work call or skipping an optional meeting. Or, if professional growth is a focus, you might block out one hour each week to work on a certification or learn a new skill.
When you’re clear on your priorities, it becomes so much easier to let go of what doesn’t align. Instead of feeling pulled in a hundred different directions, you can focus on what truly matters.
2. Clear the Schedule Clutter
Think of your schedule like a cluttered closet. If you just keep shoving things in without ever clearing anything out, eventually, it’s going to be chaos. Clearing schedule clutter is about taking a good, hard look at everything you’ve committed to and deciding what’s worth keeping and what needs to go.
Ask yourself, “Are there things I’m doing out of habit, guilt, or obligation that I don’t actually care about?” If the answer is yes, it’s time to let some of those go.
Maybe you’re on a committee that doesn’t interest you anymore, but you keep going to the meetings because you feel bad stepping back. Or maybe you’ve said yes to social commitments that drain you instead of filling you up.
Start small—let go of just one or two obligations this week. Even freeing up a little bit of time can make a big difference and give you space for the things that truly energize you.
3. Cut Out Time and Energy Sucks
We all have those sneaky little habits that eat away at our time and energy without us even noticing. Cutting out time and energy drains means figuring out where those leaks are happening and making small changes to stop them.
For example, if you catch yourself scrolling on social media for “just a minute” and suddenly realize 20 minutes have gone by, try setting a timer or putting your phone out of reach while you’re working. Or, if you’re constantly multitasking—switching between emails, work tasks, and home responsibilities—try tackling one thing at a time instead.
Even tiny adjustments, like turning off notifications or setting “tech-free” times during the day, can protect your focus and help you feel more in control.
4. Count the Costs
Every decision you make has a cost, whether it’s your time, energy, or attention. Counting the costs means pausing before you say yes to something and asking yourself if it’s worth what you’re giving up.
For example, before agreeing to help organize a school event, think about what it’ll require. Will it mean sacrificing family time or pushing back work deadlines? Or, if you’re considering taking on a new work project, ask yourself how much mental energy and time it will take and whether it fits with your priorities.
This doesn’t mean you have to say no to everything, but it’s about being intentional. When you count the costs, you can make decisions that protect your time and energy while keeping space for the things that truly matter.
The bottom line is that creating margin with the four C’s isn’t about flipping your life upside down overnight. It’s about making small, thoughtful changes that give you a little more space to breathe, to adjust, and to focus on what you love.
When you build in that margin, you’re not just reclaiming your time—you’re creating a life that feels less rushed and a whole lot more manageable.
Questions to consider
Question: “What truly matters most to me right now?”
This question helps you get clear on your top priorities, which is the foundation of creating margin. Life changes, and so do our priorities, so take a moment to think about what genuinely matters to you in this season. Once you identify these priorities, you’ll find it easier to say “yes” to what aligns and “no” to what doesn’t. This step is all about making sure your time and energy reflect what you value most.
Question: “What’s one commitment or habit I can let go of to create space?”
Creating margin often means letting go of things that no longer serve you. Maybe it’s a recurring obligation, a habit that drains you, or even a mindset of “always being available.” Think of just one thing you can cut back on or let go of this week. Clearing this space allows you to handle your days with less rush and more focus on what’s meaningful.
Question: “How can I give myself permission to pause and breathe?”
This question encourages you to intentionally build in rest and reset points in your day. When life feels hectic, even a few moments to pause and take a breath can be refreshing. Consider what “pausing” might look like for you—it could be as simple as a five-minute walk, a quiet coffee break, or a tech-free evening. Giving yourself permission to pause is essential to creating a sustainable rhythm that includes space for yourself.