Why I Need Coffee: When Family, Self-Care, and Travel Prep Collide

Some weeks feel like they’re designed to test your sanity—and this one might just take the cake. Between a short workweek, back-to-back appointments (yes, four in one day…because why not?), and prepping for an epic girls trip, I’ve officially hit peak “mom chaos.” Coffee isn’t just a morning ritual anymore—it’s survival fuel. Here’s how I’m juggling family, self-care, and travel prep without losing my mind…or my caffeine buzz.

Now, the first big decision of a chaos-packed day: Starbucks or home brew? On weeks like this, I usually weigh the challenge ahead. If I know it’s going to be a whirlwind of appointments and prep, I treat myself to a cup from Starbucks—extra caramel on top—because sometimes a little caffeine luxury is the only thing that keeps you sane. On lighter days, I stick to my trusty home coffee, but let’s be real…this week definitely calls for the fancy cup with that sweet caramel drizzle.

Of course, keeping my sanity doesn’t just mean managing appointments and coffee—it also means staying in full mom mode. Two of the days this week, I’ll have my little one with me for family gatherings, which adds its own mix of chaos and sweetness. Between juggling playtime, snacks, and the occasional meltdown, I’ve learned that a little patience (and a lot of humor) goes a long way. Some days it’s about crossing off to-dos; other days it’s about letting go of perfection and just enjoying the little moments—coffee in hand, toddler in tow.

At the end of the day, maybe I won’t check off every single thing on my list—or maybe I’ll spill half my coffee in the process—but that’s okay. Life is messy, my schedule is chaotic, and my toddler’s energy is limitless. And honestly? That’s exactly why I love it. Because even in the middle of back-to-back appointments, family chaos, and last-minute trip prep, I’ve got my coffee in hand, my sense of humor intact, and a front-row seat to the beautiful, messy, caffeinated circus that is my life.