BLOG: How to Fill Your Cup (and Calm Your Nervous System) Before the School Holidays

BLOG: Filling Your Cup Before the Summer Holidays

The countdown to the summer holidays in my house is officially on.
And it’s all go, go, go.
And in some areas... stop, stop, stop. (If you’ve got a child who suddenly finds it impossible to even get into school, then trust me - I see you. The emotions on both sides are immense.)

We’ve got school performances, end-of-year trips, assemblies, the last Rainbows, last Brownies, sports days… and those frantic scrambles for teacher gifts I swore I’d sort weeks ago but will actually sort the night before. Not just because of the executive function involved in making that all come together (so many stages involved!), but because... let’s face it - all the moments up until then are already feeling completely full.

Everything’s coming to a close before the holidays begin… and if I’m honest, my brain is already amping up for what’s next, rather than winding down for a "break." Planning, overthinking, creating invisible lists of days out, movement, nourishing food, sunshine... I want our children’s summers to be magical, of course!

As an ADHD mum (or just a mum with a busy brain - you don’t need a diagnosis to be in this gang), the transition into summer can feel equal parts exciting, overwhelming… and sometimes downright terrifying. Six weeks of unstructured time, holidays, shifting routines, keeping the children happy and active, balancing nature days with time at home, and trying to make magical memories that will last forever (no pressure!).

And all of that… while not completely losing yourself, or your grip on the house/garden/career/relationship?
It’s a lot.

So today, in the middle of this full-throttle week, I’m asking myself:

How can I fill my cup before the holidays kick in?

Because no, I can’t quickly pop away for a dreamy three-day yoga retreat with sunrise paddleboarding, creative writing workshops, and three-course meals with carefully matched herbal teas. (Although... now that I say it...)

But what I can do is carve out five- or ten-minute windows of real-life regulation, energy-boosting practices and rest, here and there, along the way.

If I want to step into the summer holidays feeling ready, resourced, and excited even, then I need to make sure this mumma’s cup is topped up, full, and ready to be present for my girls. At least most of the time. :)

Here’s what that’s looked like this week and what I plan to keep doing throughout the holidays too.
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Because I want to model to my girls that my time is important. That I know how to take care of myself. And that they can grow up knowing how to do the same.

1. Start with Movement: My Precious Yoga Moments

Of course, yoga. I always feel better when I move. But oh, the dreaded invisible wall. Can you relate? WHY does it stop us from doing the things we know help?

When the day is full, I let go of the idea of a long, luxurious practice (those were the days, right?) and instead dip into shorter, more doable bursts. I go by feel, follow my senses, or just do what my body needs - grounding and connecting with the floor, or flowing to shake off the fog. These moments matter and together, they build up - strengthening your body and calming your mind.

And the best part? The girls often join in. Sometimes it ends in a yoga bundle (beware: this can become a bit of a thing). Other times it turns into a plank/handstand/headstand contest. Which, yes, they win... every time.

2. Escape with a Book

Right now, I’m hiding away in the comfort of a Marian Keyes novel. Her writing has been with me my whole life - her characters accompanying my own journey. Every time I reread her books, I notice something new. They’re funny, flawed, warm, and full of chaos and heart.

I’m re-reading This Charming Man and loving every second. Her story-weaving is masterful. And she always gently takes the mickey out of yoga types, which makes me smile.

Next on my list? The Secret Language of Your Body by Inna Segal, and The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown.
Anyone read them?

Even five minutes of reading feels like a total nervous system reset for me. How about you?

3. Meditation… in the Water

Stillness has felt out of reach lately, so instead, I’ve been meditating in motion. Outdoor swimming (in a pool, let’s be honest - although if I did have a handy lake or beach nearby I'd be first in!) is my favourite.

There’s a whole ritual: the quiet tiptoe out of bed, getting changed and jumping into the car, creeping out of the driveway, arriving at the sports centre... then that first delicious rush as I swoop into the water. I start to swim and I count strokes, lengths… breaths… and gradually everything slows.

My body floats, my mind softens. I feel strong, calm, and free.

Also - fun fact! Rapid temperature changes are known to help regulate neurodivergent nervous systems. So I call this self-care and science.

4. Create a Pause with Your Favourite Scent

Current fave? A cherry-scented candle from Marmalade LONDON. It's so yummy. It’s warm and nostalgic, and turns my kitchen into a peaceful (ok, peaceful-looking) haven.

Lighting it reminds me to slow down. To remember: this home, this family, this life - it’s all here. I have everything I need. I am grateful for it all.

5. Breathwork: The Tool You Didn’t Know You Had

Sleep has been... a journey, these past 9 years. I’m still up frequently in the night and a full night’s sleep is something I don’t take for granted - and absolutely celebrate when it happens.

After last night’s wake-ups, a big mental health meeting this morning, and the struggle to get my daughter into school, I hit a point where I just needed a reset. There was no point trying to push through.

So I lay down, palms to the sky, and took a minute.

And then I remembered something I’d recently read: the 90-second rule.

Neuroscientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor discovered that when you experience a big emotion like anger, panic, overwhelm - it actually only takes 90 seconds for the stress chemicals to flush from your body.

After that? You’re actually calm again.

But the catch is - we usually don’t let it pass through freely.
We invite it in again. And again. And again.
Each time the thought recirculates, we restart the 90 seconds. Hence taking ourselves through the same stress over and over!

So knowing this, this time - I tried to stay with it.

I stayed with my breath, felt my feet, softened my shoulders. And after a little while (let’s say about 90 seconds :)... I felt it shift.

🧡 You’re allowed to feel it. It’s valid. But you don’t have to keep feeding it.

Bonus tip: I swear by my yantra mat. Yes, it’s spiky. Yes, it’s weird. But the sense of calm it brings? Deep regulation. In days gone by, I’ve even fallen asleep on it.

6. Eat Well (Without Overcomplicating It)

Filling your cup doesn’t have to mean green juice and turmeric shots (though if that’s your vibe, I support you fully).

Sometimes it’s BBQ leftovers, butcher’s sausages, and rainbow veg.

This summer, I’m keeping it simple. Fresh, colourful, whole foods when I can. And yes — a lot of it cooked by my husband, because he enjoys it and I am not about to block a good thing.

I tend to go with the “cook it well and fast” method. Because 5:30pm? It’s sneaky. It shows up every day as a complete surprise to me. Rude, right!?

7. Get a Dopamine Hit with a Tidy Sprint

Set a timer. Pick one job. Tidy it. You win.

Today? I managed to clear one of the three random boxes I stashed in my office when I ran out of lounge-tidy energy.
Tomorrow? Who knows.

But racing myself gets me moving — and the dopamine hit is just what I need.

8. Work That Lights Me Up

Even on the hardest days, making time for my work helps me remember that I’m more than just the snack-finder, fight-breaker, emotional support, or admin queen.

Today I had one hour — squeezed between a tricky drop-off and a mental health meeting — and I used it to write, reflect, and dive into the course I’m building.

Even messy notes count. Your dreams still matter.

9. Walk Solo (Leave the Phone)

No headphones. No choosing the perfect playlist. Just me, the path, and the rhythm of my feet.

A solo walk gives me space to breathe, sort my thoughts, and reconnect with myself. It’s not fancy. But it works for me — and you don’t need to go far. Even a wander around the garden counts.

For me, picking up socks and shoes from next to the trampoline somehow feels therapeutic. Not sure why. Just pottering — that’s the word.

If you can, leave the phone inside. Or pop it in your pocket on airplane mode. Just be.

Let’s take this summer one day, one moment, and one breath at a time.

🧡 Ready to start? Here’s your first cup-filler:​
Light your favourite candle.
Stretch for three minutes - reach up, bend forward and breathe.
Put your phone down.
And smile.

You’re doing great, wildflower.
You really are.