Home Care Challenge: Take the Break (Even If It’s a Messy One)

Summer Break.

While it’s so easy to get caught in the rhythm of go, go, go, sometimes the real work is learning how to slow down—even just a little. This week, I’m officially out of office with my toes in the sand and a half-read book tucked into my beach bag. Sounds dreamy, right?

But let’s be honest.

Even on vacation, I’m not exactly off the clock. I’m still parenting—just doing it in a different location, with a better view.

Even with four other adults around to help, the kids still needed snacks, sunscreen, dry towels, and a steady referee for every shovel dispute or turn-taking meltdown. In theory, rest sounds like collapsing onto the couch with zero responsibilities. In this season of life, though, it looks more like sandy feet chasing toddlers through the waves, or splashing around in the pool while mentally calculating how many snacks are left in the cooler.

The truth is, rest rarely looks like doing nothing. Instead, it’s about shifting your focus. Letting go of work, the laundry list of home tasks, and the mental tabs constantly open in your head. It's about finding the moments of pause in the midst of the movement.

So whether you’re on a family trip or simply gearing up for the start of summer camps, this week’s Home Care Challenge is less about the hustle and more about honoring whatever a break looks like for you.

Wrap Up What’s Lingering

Now, if you’re someone who just can’t sit still, I see you. Sometimes slowing down isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about catching up on the tasks that have quietly piled up while life kept moving.

For me, it was the indoor herb garden. What began as a cheerful little kitchen window setup has turned into a tangle of overgrown basil, wilted cilantro, and a very crispy thyme plant. I kept pushing it down my to-do list, thinking, “I’ll get to it next week.” This week, I finally did. A quick pruning session, a little fresh soil, and tossing the herbs that didn’t survive was all it took. Small task, but big sigh of relief.

Maybe for you, it’s the squeaky attic door that’s needed oil for six months, or the mailbox flag that broke off last winter and still hasn't been replaced. Every house has its own quirks—those small things we live with, that quietly ask for attention.

Pivot Where It Counts

And if your version of slowing down means dreaming big? I’m with you there too. This spring, I had plans to revamp our laundry room. I envisioned custom cabinetry, stacked washer/dryer, cute tiled floors—the works. I even built a Pinterest board (you know it’s serious when the Pinterest board is involved).

But after measuring, budgeting, and facing the reality of how much time we actually spend in that tiny space, I hit pause. What I really needed wasn’t a full makeover. It was functional storage.

So instead of the full reno, I upgraded what mattered: bins that actually work, a sturdy shelf that fits our detergent bottles, and wall hooks that don’t fall off mid-week. It's not an Instagram-worthy transformation, but it made the space feel calmer, more intentional, and much easier to use.

This Week’s Challenge

Whether you’re trying to take a real break, playing catch-up on little home tasks, or rethinking a bigger project—this week’s challenge is simple: honor your season.

Do the one small thing that’s been bugging you. Reevaluate the project that might be bigger than it needs to be. Or just pause and enjoy the moment you’re in, chaos and all.

Home care isn’t always about the big reveal. Sometimes, it’s about breathing a little easier in the spaces we already live in.

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