Making Time for Wellness

Mia Moran is a mom of three and a productivity coach who has struck her perfect balance between wellness, work, and family life. She supports high-achieving, female entrepreneurs, who are overwhelmed with the “life” and “wellness” pieces, to find their version of balance. She is the host of the PlanSimple podcast, bestselling author of PlanSimple Meals, and creator of the FLOW Planning Method, the FLOW Planner, and FLOW365.

Leslie: Can you tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do?

Mia: I’m a coach specializing in helping women navigate the complex balance between their professional aspirations and personal lives. Many of my clients are entrepreneurs, but more broadly, they’re women committed to pursuing their purpose while juggling family responsibilities. At this stage in life, many are managing the demands of tweens, teens, or young adults, and for some, they’re also caring for aging parents. This is often compounded by health challenges and the pressures of an evolving society. My role is to help clients integrate these various elements into a cohesive plan. We focus on creating strategies that allow them to follow through on their goals while also prioritizing their own well-being. We often discuss perimenopause and menopause, recognizing that this phase can bring unexpected challenges. It’s common to feel like handling everything should be easier now, especially when reflecting on the sacrifices made during earlier years. Balancing all these responsibilities takes thoughtful effort and learning. That’s where I come in – supporting women in learning to navigate this transition with greater ease and confidence.

Leslie: What are some of the unique challenges that you're seeing women come to you with at this time?

Mia:  It’s often surprising, but many women find themselves juggling more than ever during this phase of life. You might expect that work and parenting would get easier as you get older, but instead, it can feel like the opposite. As we navigate this stage, we may face the challenge of declining hormones while our teenage daughters experience a surge in their own hormonal changes, making parenting feel more demanding. One of the most striking patterns I've observed is that, while many women in this phase are discovering new purposes and seeking more meaningful work, their partners may be looking to slow down or retire. This shift often creates tension, especially if women are reinvigorated by their passions and goals just as their partners are considering stepping back. This dynamic is something I see frequently and it can impact relationships as women embrace new opportunities that were put on pause to start a family.

Leslie: You’re consulting people on time management and prioritization. Can you talk more about that and what it looks like?

Mia:  Today, technology and tools like Google Classroom have made it harder to see how different parts of our lives connect. We often focus on work, health, or personal life separately, which can make balancing everything feel overwhelming. Many women at this stage are looking for more meaning and want their health, lifestyle, and work to support that. We focus on aligning these areas with your deeper goals and values. This means looking at how to balance your time in a way that fits with your overall vision for your life. Additionally, there's growing recognition of the cyclical nature of women’s experiences, particularly the 28-day cycle. Many traditional time management techniques are based on a 24-hour day, but recent studies highlight the benefits of aligning habits and planning with our natural cycles. This perspective can offer valuable insights into how to better manage our time and energy.

Leslie: How does health and fitness fit in with this shift of cycles and hormones?  What do you usually advise people on?

Mia: It’s important to focus on one task at a time, especially when life feels overwhelming. Sometimes, the simplest actions can have the greatest impact. For example, staying hydrated is often overlooked, but carrying a water bottle and drinking enough water can make a big difference. Sleep is another key area that deserves our attention, especially during perimenopause and menopause when it can be disrupted. Prioritizing good sleep, though it seems basic, is crucial for overall health. In a world filled with endless tips and advice from emails, social media, and podcasts, it’s easy to feel scattered. Instead, try focusing on one task at a time: drink more water, improve your sleep, eat well, or stay active. By concentrating on these basics one step at a time, you can better manage your well-being and achieve a sense of balance.

Leslie: When you are forced to juggle many different tasks and take care of other people, how do you plan every day?

Mia:  When we’re overwhelmed, taking action becomes challenging. To make progress, we need to simplify our approach and focus on one thing at a time. For instance, if this week’s focus is on staying hydrated, you might try keeping a pitcher of water on your desk or carrying three water bottles to ensure you drink enough throughout the day. At the end of the week, review how well you did and decide if you’re ready to move on to the next goal, like walking 10 minutes each day. It’s not about doing everything perfectly at once. Instead, it’s about making steady progress by focusing on one area and then building on that success. For example, if you didn’t manage to stay hydrated as planned, you might need to keep focusing on that before adding new goals. Simplifying our approach helps us manage our busy lives more effectively. We often try to do everything at once and end up accomplishing little. By zeroing in on one task, we can achieve more and see improvements in other areas of our lives. One method that has worked for me is starting each day with a clear vision of where I want to go. I spend a few moments visualizing what it feels like to achieve my goals—whether it's feeling energized, well-rested, or vibrant from healthy food. From this vision, I choose three actions that align with my future self, the person who embodies those goals. By focusing on what my future self would do, rather than being limited by past habits or obstacles, I make choices that support my goals. For example, when I changed my eating habits 15 years ago, I kept it simple by eating the same healthy meal every day for a month. This approach helped me make lasting changes without feeling overwhelmed. Finding what works for you and keeping it simple is key to making steady progress and achieving your goals.

Leslie: What would you recommend for someone in this phase who's feeling overwhelmed or trying to manage a lot?

Mia: Focusing on our future self can simplify our approach in a truly effective way. Instead of juggling a long list of tasks, pick just three key actions for the week. It’s crucial to choose fewer things—three at most—to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Many of us rely on lengthy to-do lists, which are great for tapping into our creativity but aren’t always practical. They lack the time management needed to ensure tasks get done. To make sure your chosen tasks fit into your day, it’s important to schedule them. This means setting specific times for them, either in your calendar or with reminders, so you’re more likely to follow through. For example, if one goal is to drink more water, set a phone alarm to remind you at noon. This way, you can hold yourself accountable and integrate the task into your daily routine. Planning from the perspective of your future self—someone who has achieved your goals—helps you make better choices. Often, we get caught up in old habits or trying to please others, but this is a chance to reassess and focus on what you need now. As our lives and bodies change, especially during perimenopause and menopause, it's important to revisit how we approach nutrition and self-care. Our needs evolve, so pausing to understand what works best for you now can be transformative. For instance, you might need to adjust meal timing or consider dietary changes that support your hormonal health. Even if your family dynamics shift as kids grow older and become more independent, prioritizing family meals can still be a valuable routine. For me, gathering everyone for dinner is a highlight of the day and remains a priority. It’s a time when we connect and share, and it’s appreciated differently as they get older. In summary, simplify your focus to just a few tasks, anchor them in time, and plan from the perspective of your future self. This approach not only helps in managing daily tasks but also in making meaningful adjustments to your lifestyle and health as you transition through different phases of life.

Leslie: Where can people find you if they're interested in learning more about what you do and what you've been talking about?