Note: The following post is an excerpt from the preface of my forthcoming book, Unraveled: Finding joy when your plans come undone.

Saturday I was a mess. Sunday I was the fun mom. And at the end of the day, my six-year-old (Number 3 as we like to call him) said, “I had a decent day.”

We went to our community pool on Sunday for the first time since last summer. And for the first time all weekend, I was relaxed—even though my mommy senses were heightened to the max because my two-year-old has no fear of the water whatsoever.

I observed my husband playing with the oldest two in the water, tossing a ball, watching it skid across the top of the water. Not a care in the world. At least for a few moments.

I smiled.

The two- and six-year-old had fun in the kiddie area, splashing, and jumping off the side into my arms. We laughed and giggled together. I watched as their little eyes lit up with pure joy as the cold water hit their little round faces.

I didn’t think about work for a second. I was joyful, too.

Ever wonder where joy comes from?

You know you have it when you feel it. It can feel like peace. It can feel like fun or laughter. It can feel like this tidal wave of deep emotion rising out of your chest that makes your body have to physically bring it out into existence.

So why couldn’t I feel that same joy just twenty-four hours earlier?

Not too much was different on Saturday. I was still with my family, although we were home instead of at a swimming pool. I had every opportunity to create joyful moments with them. And yet, the laundry, the dirty dishes, and my work were all calling my attention away. I was grumpy. I yelled at the kids. I was short-tempered. I felt stressed, even angry.

This has been a theme in my life—seemingly long seasons of Saturdays with a few rare Sundays in the mix. And all of it had left me wondering, “How do I continue to seek and find that joy?”

Is it possible to create joy, even when I truly believe that joy is not based on my circumstances?

And how can joy be used to live more purposefully every day, so I can have more Sundays and fewer Saturdays?

These are the questions I want to explore with you, learn about, and apply to our everyday lives on this journey together.

So I want to know – are you a busy working mom who craves more time in your busy schedule so you can be purposeful and find that joy your soul longs for?

If so – I’ve got you covered! You can now get my FREE Time Hacks Guide that includes my Top 5 Smart Hacks to help you take back your time AND take care of yourself & your family in the process.

Click here to get your FREE guide now.

Each “hack” includes easy-to-incorporate steps. I can’t wait to hear how this resource will help you break free from the overwhelm, get rid of the mom-guilt, and experience more joy every day!

I love hearing from you, so let me know in the comments which hack you’ve tried and how you’ve incorporated it into your daily rhythms.