Dear Busy Mom,
Sometimes we come across someone whose words feel like a warm hug on a hard day. For me, one of those people is Emily P. Freeman. I’m so excited to introduce you to Emily in our "Dear Busy Mom" series—I think you’ll love her wisdom as much as I do.
Let me tell you a little about Emily. She’s a New York Times bestselling author and the host of "The Next Right Thing" podcast—but more importantly, she’s a fellow mom who truly “gets it.” Emily is a mom of three (including a set of twins in college!) and has been married for 24 years. She lives in North Carolina, juggling the many seasons of motherhood (her kids are mostly grown now) and all the hellos and goodbyes that come with that journey. When she writes or speaks, you can tell she knows the beautiful mess of raising a family and figuring out your own life at the same time.
What I love about Emily is her heart for women who feel overwhelmed or in transition. She has a gentle way of helping us create space for our souls to breathe in the midst of our busy lives. (Doesn’t that sound heavenly?) Her core message is often about giving yourself permission to slow down and pay attention to what really matters. In fact, one of her popular books is literally called "The Next Right Thing," and it’s all about overcoming decision fatigue by doing just that . . . focusing on the next right step instead of getting paralyzed by the many decisions we face. As moms, we know all about decision fatigue (what’s for dinner? which school is best? am I doing this parenting thing right?) and Emily offers such wise, calming guidance on that front. She encourages small moments of reflection as a way for busy moms to combat overwhelm. Her approach has certainly helped me pause and reflect instead of reacting in panic when life gets crazy.
Now, I have to gush about Emily’s newest book, "How to Walk Into a Room." Despite the title, it’s not about how to make an entrance at a party—it’s about the art of knowing when to stay in a situation and when to walk away, which is something so many of us wrestle with. If life is like a house with many rooms, "How to Walk Into a Room" helps you figure out when a particular “room” (be it a job, a volunteer position, a relationship, or any chapter of life) is no longer where you belong. This book has quickly become one of my favorite resources. It’s full of thought-provoking questions and soulful practices to guide you through life’s transitions. Have you ever been at a point where you’re asking yourself, “How do I know if it’s time to move on? What if I stay and nothing changes? What if I leave and everything falls apart?” I know I have, and those exact questions are the kind Emily addresses in her book.
One of my favorite lessons from Emily’s approach is the idea of noticing the silent, nuanced arrows in our lives that point us in the direction we need to go. She sometimes calls them “caution flags”—those little tugs in your spirit that something isn’t quite right where you are. Rather than ignoring those feelings, Emily encourages us to name them and consider they might be telling us something important. It’s a permission slip to listen to our own life. For example, if you feel a heaviness every morning before going to a job that technically looks good on paper, that might be a gentle nudge that it’s okay to explore a change. On the flip side, if the thought of stepping out of a role fills you with clear, genuine peace, that could be an arrow pointing you forward. Emily gives language to these experiences so we don’t feel crazy or alone for having them.
Another beautiful philosophy Emily shares is to “bless our hellos and goodbyes.” I first heard her use that phrase and it stuck with me. It means embracing new beginnings and honoring when it’s time to let something go. In her own life, Emily has lived this out. She’s not just giving out theory, she’s made hard choices like leaving a company she co-founded and stepping away from roles that no longer fit. Those were big goodbyes for her, and she writes about how she navigated them with grace and faith. When you read her words, you feel like you have a wise friend holding your hand, assuring you that endings are a normal (though difficult) part of our stories. As one reader put it, Emily’s writing makes you feel “seen [and] understood” while it “provides space to reflect” on who you are and what might need to change. I couldn’t agree more; that’s exactly how it feels.
So why am I sharing all this with you? Because I truly believe Emily P. Freeman is a great resource for moms. She’s someone who stands for intentional, wholehearted living in a world that often pushes us to hurry up and hustle. She’s a voice reminding us that it’s okay to slow down and listen to that inner voice (or as Emily might say, listen to what Jesus or your faith or your own soul is gently telling you). Not only does she offer encouragement, she also offers practical tools. Whether it’s a simple prayer, a journaling prompt, or a question that shifts your perspective, you can actually do something with her advice. For a busy mom who has very little “me time,” Emily’s guidance is efficient and effective—small steps that make a big difference.
I also want to point out how much Emily’s philosophy complements what we care about here at momAgenda. Yes, we love a good planner and checking off to-do lists (who doesn’t feel a thrill when the family calendar actually runs like clockwork?). But we also know that a truly fulfilling life isn’t just about getting more done. It’s about focusing on what matters. Emily helps with exactly that: figuring out what matters now, in whatever season you’re in, and giving you the courage to rearrange your life accordingly. It’s like she provides the heart wisdom to go along with the organizing tools. We often talk about being productive, but Emily gently reminds us to also be purposeful.
If you’re curious to dive into Emily’s world a bit more, I highly recommend checking out her work. Her podcast, "The Next Right Thing," is a treasure trove of 15-minute episodes that feel like a calm breath of fresh air in the middle of a hectic week. She often starts by helping you carve out a little quiet space, which is something we all need. And of course, her books are like sitting down with a mentor over coffee—full of stories and insights. "Simply Tuesday" is a lovely read about embracing small-moment living (so great for those of us who feel life is flying by too fast). And if you’re dealing with a big decision or just a lot of uncertainty, "How to Walk Into a Room" might be the comforting guide you need on your bedside table. As Emily’s publisher describes it, it’s for anyone “standing in a threshold” between an ending and a new beginning, a book to help you figure out the how, when, and what now of your next steps, all with peace and confidence.
I hope that by introducing you to Emily, you feel as uplifted and understood as I have. In the end, the biggest message I’ve taken from her (and I want to pass on to you) is this: You’ve got permission to be a soul as well as a scheduler. It’s okay to listen to that inner whisper telling you something needs to change, or to take a break and just be, or to say yes to a new dream even if it scares you. Emily’s voice is one of reassurance—reassuring us that even if we make a change or stand still for a season, the world will not fall apart. In fact, we might find ourselves more whole.
Thank you for taking time to meet Emily through my eyes. We are so proud to collaborate with her on "Dear Busy Mom" because we know how much value she brings to moms like you and me. Here’s to embracing new wisdom, finding courage to walk through open doors (and out of the ones that need closing), and remembering that in every season of motherhood and life, we’re truly not alone.
From one busy mom to another… You’ve got this!
XO, The momAgenda
