June 9, 2025 • 12 mins
Curious how Brianna and Rashad rediscover balance as empty nesters? Get your sample chapters of Mindful in 5 – Meditations for People With No Time.
Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of summer schedules?
You're not alone. The struggle to balance work deadlines with family time while still enjoying those spontaneous summer moments affects nearly everyone. That tension between structure and freedom is exactly what we tackle in this episode of the Mindful in 5 Summer Zen Series.
Drawing inspiration from our friends, Brianna and Rashad, we explore a transformative approach to summer scheduling. Rather than rigid hour-by-hour planning or complete lack of structure, this approach offers a middle path that brings clarity without constriction.
This simple shift acknowledges reality – unexpected events will happen, some tasks will take longer than anticipated – while preserving your sense of accomplishment and peace.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Spiwe Jefferson (00:05):
Welcome to the Mindful in 5 Summer Zen Series,
your hub for thriving leaders.
Here we will explore actionableinsights to support resilience
and success as we navigate theunique chaos of summer, and
success as we navigate theunique chaos of summer.
(00:26):
I'm Spiwe Jefferson, certifiedmindfulness practitioner, lawyer
and author of the Mindful in 5book series.
I believe we all deserve a bitmore balance and peace,
especially when work and lifeget a little hectic.
When work and life get a littlehectic While you're enjoying
(00:49):
the sunshine and this vibrantseason, I'm excited to share
insights and practices that canhelp you integrate mindfulness,
balance, peace and a sense ofpurpose, whether summer's just
beginning or winter's at yourdoor.
Grab a comfy spot and let'sexplore these practices together
.
Elevate your work, empower yourlife, work higher, live
(01:13):
stronger.
Let's go.
Does your summer schedule feellike a juggling act?
(01:35):
Work deadlines colliding withkids' energy and the
unpredictability of summer dayspredictability of summer days.
What if you could create aroutine that brings structure
but leaves room for joy andspontaneity?
Today, our title is FlexibleRoutines Structure Without
(02:01):
Stress.
How about that?
We are tackling the art offlexible routines, finding that
sweet spot between structure andfreedom so that you and your
family can flourish.
Let's step into the story ofBrianna and Rashad, two
(02:24):
characters from the Mindful inFive books.
With their twins off to college, they suddenly have an open
summer calendar and a house thatfeels both empty and full of
possibility.
Well, okay.
So at the outset in the book,the house was actually empty and
(02:49):
full of ambivalence andacrimony, but that's another
story.
Let's assume for today thatthey want to reconnect but
struggle with how to fill theirdays.
Should they plan every momentor just let things unfold?
(03:10):
The one idea for this week isadopt the flexible routine.
To help you, here are threecomponents of this idea.
Component one the power of aloose framework.
Structure brings clarity, butrigid schedules can add stress.
(03:35):
Instead, try a loose routine.
Anchor your day with a fewfixed points, like shared
breakfast or a midday walk, andlet the rest remain open for
whatever comes.
You can do this by using timeblocks rather than hours.
(03:56):
Why not hours?
If you schedule your time hourby hour, the minute one of those
hours or part of it gets thrownoff, or the minute it takes
longer to do something than youbudgeted time for, all of a
sudden, your whole day is off,and if you are a list checker,
(04:20):
then you may feel incomplete ifyou get to the end of your day
and you can't check everythingoff your list.
So instead try buckets of timelike morning work, afternoon
play and evening wind down.
On my weekends I only givemyself three things to do in a
(04:45):
day and actually in my workday Ionly prioritize three key
things that I want to get donethat day, because I know the
phone's going to ring, thingsare going to come up, meetings
are going to happen and peopleare going to show up to chat and
I know all those things willhappen.
(05:07):
So therefore I only hold myselfaccountable to do the three
most important things that Ineed to do that day.
You can do the same thing withyour summer that way, if you get
sidetracked cleaning out thefridge or moving the patio
furniture cushions from thebasement to the deck it's okay.
(05:31):
Component two Build inspontaneity.
Summer is a season of surprises.
Some people don't likesurprises, but in this context
that's pleasant stuff.
Leave space in your day forspontaneous fun, whether it's an
(05:54):
impromptu ice cream run a walkin the park or a quick game with
the kids.
Ask yourself where can I let goof control today?
Just a little to invite morejoy.
When my husband and I weredating, we liked to take a
(06:16):
weekend afternoon siesta.
He might nap, I might read, butthe point was to just spend
quiet time resting together.
Years later, well, okay, Iconfess we don't do it as often
(06:46):
as we did not rigid, but we doleave time in the schedule to do
it spontaneously when we bothhappen to be home and we're
hanging around the house.
So that takes us to componentnumber three.
That takes us to componentnumber three Communicate and
(07:12):
adjust together, whether you aresolo or with a partner or
managing a family.
Talk openly about what's workingand what's not.
If you're solo, the perfecttime to evaluate is maybe at the
end of each day.
You sit by yourself for thatstill time, for your meditation,
for your mindfulness time, foryour centering time, and you
(07:35):
just reflect on your day and askyourself how did I do?
Did I build in flexibility?
Did I stress myself out becauseI overscheduled?
And then the next morning yousit down and, starting with at
least five minutes, you thinkabout what you have in store for
(07:55):
the day and you mentally decidewhat are the three things that
you really want to get donetoday and how do you build in
that flexibility into yoursummer schedule.
(08:18):
Flexible routines thrive onhonest check-ins and small
tweaks.
For those of you who are Godlovers, when you have your
centering time, hold yourschedule up to God and ask him
where can I let go?
Where can I have flexibility?
You could even give himpermission to interrupt your day
(08:41):
with opportunities for you topour life and light into others.
What about that?
So, for your weekly schedule,hold a five-minute Sunday reset
to review the week and adjustyour routine as needed.
(09:02):
As needed, a flexible routineis your summer superpower,
offering enough structure tokeep you grounded and enough
freedom to let you, your workand your family thrive.
This softer, more mindfulapproach can help you feel more
(09:26):
peaceful, clear and supported,even on the busiest days.
Now, before we close, let's do aquick routine reset.
Start by taking a deep breathThree slow, deep breaths Inhale
(09:49):
and exhale.
Feel your feet on the ground.
Inhale and exhale.
Connect with your body parts.
Inhale and exhale.
(10:09):
Drop your shoulders, relax,close your eyes and visualize.
Picture your ideal summer day.
(10:31):
What is one anchor you want tokeep?
Where can you allow more flow?
And then, when you're donevisualizing, write down your
(11:01):
three daily anchors and the onearea, or the two areas, or as
many as you want, that you wantto leave open for spontaneity.
Carry this flexible plan withyou and adjust as you go.
(11:22):
So tell me, drew, what is oneway that's mindful?
I-n and the number five.
All one word on Instagram andor Facebook with your answer.
Tune in next time for ChildCare Hacks, creative Solutions
(11:43):
for Working Parents, and don'tforget to click on the link at
the top of the show notes tomeet Brianna and Rashad and
explore more mindful strategiesfor your summer.
Peaceful, clear, joyful,supported.
(12:03):
That is your Mindful in 5Summer Zen Until next week.
This is Be Weigh saying bemindful and be well.
James@DiscovertheVoice (12:15):
Thank you for listening to Mindful in
5.
If you enjoyed it, share itwith a friend, follow and rate
it on your favorite podcastplatform.
Pick up your signed copy of thebook and journal from
spiwejefferson.
com, or unsigned copies fromAmazon, Barnes and N oble or
wherever you get your books.
Visit spiwejefferson.
(12:36):
com to download sample chaptersof the book, watch videos and
become a mindful ninja.
Join us on the LinkedIn Mindfulin 5 group and share your
thoughts.
Until next time, be mindful andbe well.
Welcome to the Mindful in 5 Summer Zen Series,
your hub for thriving leaders.
Here we will explore actionableinsights to support resilience
and success as we navigate theunique chaos of summer, and
success as we navigate theunique chaos of summer.
(00:26):
I'm Spiwe Jefferson, certifiedmindfulness practitioner, lawyer
and author of the Mindful in 5book series.
I believe we all deserve a bitmore balance and peace,
especially when work and lifeget a little hectic.
When work and life get a littlehectic While you're enjoying
(00:49):
the sunshine and this vibrantseason, I'm excited to share
insights and practices that canhelp you integrate mindfulness,
balance, peace and a sense ofpurpose, whether summer's just
beginning or winter's at yourdoor.
Grab a comfy spot and let'sexplore these practices together
.
Elevate your work, empower yourlife, work higher, live
(01:13):
stronger.
Let's go.
Does your summer schedule feellike a juggling act?
(01:35):
Work deadlines colliding withkids' energy and the
unpredictability of summer dayspredictability of summer days.
What if you could create aroutine that brings structure
but leaves room for joy andspontaneity?
Today, our title is FlexibleRoutines Structure Without
(02:01):
Stress.
How about that?
We are tackling the art offlexible routines, finding that
sweet spot between structure andfreedom so that you and your
family can flourish.
Let's step into the story ofBrianna and Rashad, two
(02:24):
characters from the Mindful inFive books.
With their twins off to college, they suddenly have an open
summer calendar and a house thatfeels both empty and full of
possibility.
Well, okay.
So at the outset in the book,the house was actually empty and
(02:49):
full of ambivalence andacrimony, but that's another
story.
Let's assume for today thatthey want to reconnect but
struggle with how to fill theirdays.
Should they plan every momentor just let things unfold?
(03:10):
The one idea for this week isadopt the flexible routine.
To help you, here are threecomponents of this idea.
Component one the power of aloose framework.
Structure brings clarity, butrigid schedules can add stress.
(03:35):
Instead, try a loose routine.
Anchor your day with a fewfixed points, like shared
breakfast or a midday walk, andlet the rest remain open for
whatever comes.
You can do this by using timeblocks rather than hours.
(03:56):
Why not hours?
If you schedule your time hourby hour, the minute one of those
hours or part of it gets thrownoff, or the minute it takes
longer to do something than youbudgeted time for, all of a
sudden, your whole day is off,and if you are a list checker,
(04:20):
then you may feel incomplete ifyou get to the end of your day
and you can't check everythingoff your list.
So instead try buckets of timelike morning work, afternoon
play and evening wind down.
On my weekends I only givemyself three things to do in a
(04:45):
day and actually in my workday Ionly prioritize three key
things that I want to get donethat day, because I know the
phone's going to ring, thingsare going to come up, meetings
are going to happen and peopleare going to show up to chat and
I know all those things willhappen.
(05:07):
So therefore I only hold myselfaccountable to do the three
most important things that Ineed to do that day.
You can do the same thing withyour summer that way, if you get
sidetracked cleaning out thefridge or moving the patio
furniture cushions from thebasement to the deck it's okay.
(05:31):
Component two Build inspontaneity.
Summer is a season of surprises.
Some people don't likesurprises, but in this context
that's pleasant stuff.
Leave space in your day forspontaneous fun, whether it's an
(05:54):
impromptu ice cream run a walkin the park or a quick game with
the kids.
Ask yourself where can I let goof control today?
Just a little to invite morejoy.
When my husband and I weredating, we liked to take a
(06:16):
weekend afternoon siesta.
He might nap, I might read, butthe point was to just spend
quiet time resting together.
Years later, well, okay, Iconfess we don't do it as often
(06:46):
as we did not rigid, but we doleave time in the schedule to do
it spontaneously when we bothhappen to be home and we're
hanging around the house.
So that takes us to componentnumber three.
That takes us to componentnumber three Communicate and
(07:12):
adjust together, whether you aresolo or with a partner or
managing a family.
Talk openly about what's workingand what's not.
If you're solo, the perfecttime to evaluate is maybe at the
end of each day.
You sit by yourself for thatstill time, for your meditation,
for your mindfulness time, foryour centering time, and you
(07:35):
just reflect on your day and askyourself how did I do?
Did I build in flexibility?
Did I stress myself out becauseI overscheduled?
And then the next morning yousit down and, starting with at
least five minutes, you thinkabout what you have in store for
(07:55):
the day and you mentally decidewhat are the three things that
you really want to get donetoday and how do you build in
that flexibility into yoursummer schedule.
(08:18):
Flexible routines thrive onhonest check-ins and small
tweaks.
For those of you who are Godlovers, when you have your
centering time, hold yourschedule up to God and ask him
where can I let go?
Where can I have flexibility?
You could even give himpermission to interrupt your day
(08:41):
with opportunities for you topour life and light into others.
What about that?
So, for your weekly schedule,hold a five-minute Sunday reset
to review the week and adjustyour routine as needed.
(09:02):
As needed, a flexible routineis your summer superpower,
offering enough structure tokeep you grounded and enough
freedom to let you, your workand your family thrive.
This softer, more mindfulapproach can help you feel more
(09:26):
peaceful, clear and supported,even on the busiest days.
Now, before we close, let's do aquick routine reset.
Start by taking a deep breathThree slow, deep breaths Inhale
(09:49):
and exhale.
Feel your feet on the ground.
Inhale and exhale.
Connect with your body parts.
Inhale and exhale.
(10:09):
Drop your shoulders, relax,close your eyes and visualize.
Picture your ideal summer day.
(10:31):
What is one anchor you want tokeep?
Where can you allow more flow?
And then, when you're donevisualizing, write down your
(11:01):
three daily anchors and the onearea, or the two areas, or as
many as you want, that you wantto leave open for spontaneity.
Carry this flexible plan withyou and adjust as you go.
(11:22):
So tell me, drew, what is oneway that's mindful?
I-n and the number five.
All one word on Instagram andor Facebook with your answer.
Tune in next time for ChildCare Hacks, creative Solutions
(11:43):
for Working Parents, and don'tforget to click on the link at
the top of the show notes tomeet Brianna and Rashad and
explore more mindful strategiesfor your summer.
Peaceful, clear, joyful,supported.
(12:03):
That is your Mindful in 5Summer Zen Until next week.
This is Be Weigh saying bemindful and be well.
James@DiscovertheVoice (12:15):
Thank you for listening to Mindful in
5.
If you enjoyed it, share itwith a friend, follow and rate
it on your favorite podcastplatform.
Pick up your signed copy of thebook and journal from
spiwejefferson.
com, or unsigned copies fromAmazon, Barnes and N oble or
wherever you get your books.
Visit spiwejefferson.
(12:36):
com to download sample chaptersof the book, watch videos and
become a mindful ninja.
Join us on the LinkedIn Mindfulin 5 group and share your
thoughts.
Until next time, be mindful andbe well.
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