What do you do when you simply don't feel like showing up?

In this episode of The Hats Podcast, Melissa Dumaz and Kerri Harper-Howie tackle a reality that every ambitious woman, leader, parent, and professional eventually faces: the days when motivation is low, energy is depleted, and yet life still expects you to show up.

As part of the Boss Bitch Season, Melissa and Kerri explore the difference between pushing through and honoring your capacity. They share honest stories about workouts they didn't want to do, commitments they questioned, parenting responsibilities, professional obligations, and the ongoing tension between rest and responsibility.

Together, they unpack the narratives that make showing up harder, including comparison, fear of missing out, negative self-talk, and the pressure to keep up with everyone else. They also discuss practical ways to determine when it's time to push through and when it's time to cancel with understanding and extend grace to yourself.

From timers and to-do lists to music, rituals, faith, and filling your cup from a place of abundance rather than scarcity, this conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone trying to navigate the many demands of life without losing themselves in the process.

Because being a boss doesn't mean you're motivated all the time. Sometimes it simply means showing up anyway.

In This Episode:

• Why bosses don't always feel motivated
• What it means to wear The Show Up Anyway Hat
• The difference between commitment and motivation
• Melissa's ongoing conversations with herself about working out
• How introversion and social commitments can collide
• Navigating disappointment while honoring commitments
• Showing up for your children, family, and community
• How to distinguish between pushing through and honoring your boundaries
• Why milestone moments may deserve a different level of commitment
• The power of cancelling with understanding
• Common narratives that make showing up harder
• Fear of missing out, comparison, and negative self-talk
• Why availability and capacity are not the same thing
• How faith and service can provide a grounding purpose
• Rituals that help when you don't feel like doing the thing
• Using timers, music, and routines to build momentum
• Why filling your own cup matters before pouring into others
• Creating a personal litmus test for deciding when to push through and when to rest

Connect with The Hats Podcast

Send an email: [email protected]

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Connect with Kerri Harper-Howie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerriharperhowie/

Check out Kerri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9TYFW6N

Connect with Melissa Dumaz:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissadumaz/

Website: https://www.melissadumaz.com/