In this episode of Chaotic Compass, I open up about the chaos and craziness of the past six months. I reflect on family life, work, and the personal moments that have kept me away from the podcast. Here's a breakdown of everything I cover:
Episode Highlights:
1. Where Have I Been?
I start by catching up with you all and explaining the long gap between episodes. Life’s been a bit wild lately with work, family, and managing two businesses. My husband, Ryan, and I run a fishing charter and a mobile marine repair service. On top of that, I work as a business analyst for a construction company. And, of course, I’ve been juggling the activities of four kids, from theater rehearsals to soccer games and everything in between.
2. Summer Adventures and Family Life
I dive into our family’s summer activities, including:
Vacation in Ocracoke, NC: One of our favorite family getaways.
Concerts: Took Kylie to see Laufey (a Scandinavian artist) and Conan Gray, which turned into some fun mother-daughter bonding.
Boating: A spontaneous day of bar-hopping with Ryan that was so much fun.
Sunrise on the Boat: I talk about how I asked Ryan to get up at the crack of dawn to watch the sunrise on the boat — definitely a peaceful moment that I’ll never forget.
3. Business and Life Chaos
With two businesses to manage, kids to shuffle around to their activities, and a full-time job, things have been nonstop. Honestly, Ryan and I often feel like unpaid Uber drivers, just trying to get the kids where they need to be.
4. Personal Milestones and Anniversaries
I celebrate five years of marriage to Ryan (though it was a very quiet celebration with no social media posts). We also hit a big milestone of nine years together — the longest relationship of my life, which is a bit wild to think about!
5. Fun Nights and Local Spots
I share some of our fun date nights, including:
Music Bingo at Sly Clyde Ciderworks: Ryan and I totally dominated a few rounds of bingo.
Local Hangouts: Our favorite spots like the Yorktown Pub, our neighbor’s pub, and others that serve cheap drinks and have great vibes.
6. Birthday Chaos
Both Kylie and Liam celebrated their birthdays in September, and I recount the chaotic birthday bash we threw for them. There was a lot of drama, mostly from the 12-year-old boys, but it was a memorable night filled with good music, food, and laughs.
7. Adulting Moments
I share a funny (and slightly embarrassing) adulting moment: finally paying off my overdue library fines from 2020! I had a stack of books just collecting dust and now, after years, I’m officially an adult with an up-to-date library card!
8. Getting Older & Health Updates
I reflect on the first gray hair I found while on vacation in Ocracoke (it totally shocked me) and I talk about my recent knee surgery. After years of dealing with a torn meniscus, I finally had surgery, and I’m still in the recovery process. It's been a bit of a journey, but I’m getting there!
9. A Summer Full of Work & Stress
I admit that this summer was tough. There were a lot of moments where I felt completely overwhelmed and like I was just about to lose it. But I pushed through, and now I’m trying to figure out how to find better balance between work, family, and podcasting.
10. Looking Forward to the Future
I wrap things up by sharing my desire to get back into a more regular podcasting schedule. With the busy holiday season ahead, I know it’s going to be tough to balance everything, but I’m determined to keep pushing forward. And I want to remind you that it’s okay to have those tough moments and to keep going — even when things feel chaotic.
Takeaways from This Episode:
Life is chaotic, but it’s important to find moments of peace.
Self-care can be as simple as enjoying the sunrise or a quiet moment.
It’s okay to take a break, but don’t forget to show up for the people who matter in your life.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but you can always pick yourself back up and keep moving forward.
Listener Challenge:
Take a moment this week to find your "sunrise moment" — even if it’s just a few minutes to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. Whether it’s a peaceful walk or just sitting in the quiet, make time for you.
Connect with Me:
Instagram: @chaoticcompass
TikTok: @chaoticcompass (if you can figure out how to find me)
YouTube: Chaotic Compass Podcast
Facebook: Chaotic Compass Podcast (for the old-school crowd!)
The Chaotic Compass podcast was created by me, Stefanie Wainwright. I’m a wife, a mom, and a business owner whose life is chaotic all the time. This podcast is meant to help you find the funny and the good while navigating through the chaos. Enjoy!
