CATCH YOUR BREATH with Inga, Your Homeschool Coach and EncouragerI Homeschool Tips for Moms | Stop Stressing and Beat Burnout

66//When the To-Do List Doesn’t Get Done

What happens when the season (or the intentional break)  ends…and the list is still there?
In this episode of Catch Your Breath, I’m sharing a personal reflection on a season that didn’t look the way I planned—and what I noticed when I slowed down long enough to look again.
This isn’t an episode about productivity or fixing your to-do list. It’s about perspective. About presence. And about the quiet work that still happens when the visible work doesn’t.
I talk about the moments that filled December for me—driving kids around, opening our home, long conversations, letting go of traditions, releasing guilt, and learning to sit with what was instead of rushing past it.
If you’ve looked at your list and thought, “I didn’t get to what I planned,” this episode is an invitation to pause—and notice what still unfolded.
In this episode, we reflect on:
When plans don’t match reality
How perspective shapes how a season feels
Letting go of guilt around unfinished lists
Finding peace and presence in ordinary moments
Why not everything meaningful shows up on paper
One Thing for Today:
Revisit one thing you wrote off as “nothing” and ask yourself what it actually gave you.
Take a breath.
You may have done more than you think.
And, if hiding more Scripture in your heart feels like it should be on your list this December—but it just hasn’t happened—I have something simple for you.
Email the word JOY to hello@ingamasek.com, and I’ll senda short set of encouraging Scriptures you can come back to when you need them.
xo, Inga

65//Three Simple Ways to Make Your December Break Matter

Hey friend,
December can be full. Full calendars, full expectations, and sometimes full guilt. Many of us want a break but aren’t always sure how to approach it.
In this episode of Catch Your Breath, we talk through three simple ways to think about a December break and how to use that time more intentionally.
OTFT: Choose one focus for your December break and let it guide how you use your time.
December Prayer Guide:Email JOY to hello@ingamasek.com

64//How to Breathe Through December (with Joy)

December can feel like when you’re doing your best to make it a good month for your family.
If you’ve been trying to manage homeschool, plans, expectations, and real life at the same time… this episode will meet you right where you are.
This is a simple conversation about strength, joy, and how to move through this month without losing yourself in the process.
If you need a moment to breathe in the middle of your holiday plans — this one’s for you.
Want the December Prayer Guide?
Email JOY to hello@ingamasek.com and I’ll send it to you.

63//A Reminder of the Power of Gratitude

This week, we’re slowing down for a moment to remember something we already know but often forget: gratitude is powerful.
Not just as a feeling — but in what it does to us mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Science can explain a lot of it, but Scripture has been showing us this truth long before research ever named it.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing why gratitude matters, what it does inside us, and why this season gives us a little extra room to notice it. No steps, no pressure — just a reminder that thankfulness is doing more in you than you realize.
You’ll hear:
what gratitude does in your mind and body
what Scripture shows us about thankfulness
how gratitude works in your heart and your faith
a simple reflection for your week
Your One Thing for Today:
Name one thing you’re thankful for today and each day (in your homeschool, your day, your life). If you're bold, share it with your family or write it in your journal. 
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a mom who could use a breath today, and let me know about it. Email me at hello@ingamasek.com and I'll send you the scriptures for a thankful heart from this episode and a few more. 
**Resource mentioned in this episode- A Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

62//When You Feel Like You're Failing at Homeschooling

If you’ve had a moment in homeschool that instantly turned into
“I’m failing at this,”
you’re not alone — and you’re not the only mom who thinks that way.
This episode gets honest about that feeling: why it shows up so quickly, why it hits so hard, and how to stop the moment from becoming a story about who you are.
We walk through a simple reset you can use the next time that thought hits — one that helps you pause, breathe, and move forward with clarity instead of spiraling.
Your One Thing for Today:
Talk to God about the feeling — just as it is.
Ask Him to help you notice when that thought shows up,
and to help you take it captive before it shapes your day.
If this episode gives you a moment of relief or helps you see your day differently, share it with another mom who might need the same reminder.
 
Connect with me here to share your thoughts, ask questions, or let me know how i can serve you. 😊
Instagram: @homeschool.wellness.coach
Email: hello@ingamasek.com

61//What Does Homeschooling Feel Like to You? (Let's Name it Today)

If you had to finish this sentence, "Right now, homeschool feels...," what would you say? Most moms never pause long enough to answer. 
In this episode, if you can get past the coughing, we pause long enough to notice what you’re actually feeling today.
You’ll hear:
what it shows you about your days
one simple step you can take right now
Your One Thing for Today:Name your word. Talk to God about it.
If this helped you slow down or breathe a little easier, share it with another mom so she can find her word too.And if you’d like, send me yours at hello@ingamasek.com. I'd love to hear from you.

60//The Everyday Back-and-Forth in Homeschooling

If you’ve ever felt yourself bouncing between:
wanting to be gentle, and then realizing you came in a little strong
trying to stay on top of things, and then noticing the whole day went to tasks
wanting to just enjoy your kids, and then remembering there’s still learning to lead
this episode will make sense to you.
Homeschooling often means holding more than one priority at a time.Not choosing one or the other — just navigating the shifts as they come up in real life.
This episode is a conversation about that everyday back-and-forth, how it often shows up in normal days, and one simple way to respond in the moment when you feel it happening.
Your One Thing for Today
When you notice the swing, just acknowledge it. Name it.That’s it.Tune in to the episode to hear how to use that in real time.
Send Me Your Question
If there’s something you’d like me to talk about on a future episode — a situation, a challenge, or something you’re wrestling with — send me an email or a voice note. I read every message, and your real-life questions shape these conversations.
Share This With Another Mom
If this episode made you nod, pause, or exhale a little — share it with one other mom who might be feeling this same back-and-forth. We don’t do this alone.
Connect
Instagram: @homeschool.wellness.coach
Email: hello@ingamasek.com

59//Breathing Again: The Pause, the Pivot, and What’s Next

After more than 18 months away, I’m back — and this episode gets honest about what that season really looked like.
I share how grief, overwhelm, and life changes brought me to a full stop… and how that pause helped me restart toward a breathable life.
I walk through my belief-to-mindset-to-action apprach — how aligning what I believe, think, and do has changed everything — and end with a simple One Thing for Today: notice where you’re holding your breath, and give yourself permission to release it.
I don’t want this to be a one-way conversation — I’d love to hear from you. If this episode resonated with you — or if you’ve been in a season where catching your breath has felt hard — I’d love to hear from you.
What’s been on your plate lately? What parts of life feel the hardest to breathe through right now?
Email me at hello@ingamasek.com and tell me what you’d love to hear more about this season — or just say hi and let me know you’re listening.You can also share the questions you’d love me to unpack in future episodes. I read every message — and your stories and ideas help shape what comes next here.
Let’s breathe through this season together. 💛
 
 

58//Update: Why I've Been MIA and What's Next!

Hi friend,
In this quick update, I'm sharing a little about why things have been quiet lately and why I'm hitting pause to take my advice to reflect, reset, and refresh. To Be still and remember He is still God, especially during the most difficult seasons of our life.
Please know it's certainly not goodbye, just a short break to adjust and come back stronger. In the meantime, I hope you'll subscribe, go back and listen to your favorite episodes, and keep sharing with other moms who need to catch their breath.
Till then, remember - in every challenging season of life or homeschooling, pause. Breathe. And remember, He is God, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
 
Thanks for your understanding and all the support!
xo,
Inga 

57// Why You Don't Need Permission to (Fill in the Blank)

Hey friend,
Ever feel like you’re waiting for a nod or a green light to just... breathe? To decide what’s truly right for you and your family? You’re not alone.
This episode is all about breaking free from the ‘permission slip’ we think we need—whether it’s to pause for self-care, shift gears, or dive into homeschooling. It’s time to talk about why we stall, waiting for approval that, deep down, we know we don’t need.
Why do we do this to ourselves? Guilt, doubt, fear of judgment—these shadows loom over us, making decisions feel heavier than they should.
We’re diving deep into self-trust (or the lack thereof), the fear of falling behind, and the worry about what others will think. It’s these feelings that often send us seeking validation from anyone but ourselves.
Tune in for a real talk on granting ourselves the permission to live on our terms. Discover strategies to manage the inner critic, celebrate our autonomy in homeschooling, and more.
You’ll learn to embrace planning with flexibility and how to build your own circle of trust for those moments when you crave a bit of backup in your choices.
Though we zero in on homeschooling, this episode is a must-listen if you’ve been waiting for someone else to say “It’s okay” about any aspect of your life.
Listen, breathe easier, and share the journey with a friend. It’s time to claim the power of your choices.
xo,
Inga, your Homeschool Life Coach
 
 
 
 
 
 
🔗 What's Next?1. Come hang with me in the CYB Facebook Community. 
2. Want to learn how to create a homeschool where you have space to breathe, click the link to book a Discovery Call, Not sure if coaching is for you, there are no strings attached to have a call. 
3. Know another mom who could use a reminder to take a break? Don't hold back; share the love.
Looking for extra support for your child's mental wellbeing? Learn how to help your child navigate tough emotions. Join our upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid training. It's a straightforward way to enhance your support for your child’s emotional well-being. Secure your spot now and bring more understanding and support into your homeschooling. Email me at hello@ingamasek.com for the deets.