How I am turning things around in Q2

Profit over pain plan for the next quarter

Hi Freelancing Females!

Is it just me, or did we just blink and suddenly the “New Year, New Me” energy of January has been replaced by the “Wait, it’s March already?” panic of Q1 closing out?

I’m sitting here looking at my calendar, realizing we are officially 25% of the way through 2026. If you’re feeling a little frazzled, maybe a little behind on those big “Vision Board” goals you set while eating holiday leftovers, I am right there with you.

Here’s the thing: Q1 is always a bit of a chaotic trial run. It’s the “pancake” of the year. You know how the first one usually comes out a little wonky while the pan is still heating up? Now that we’re approaching the end of March, it’s not time to spiral; it’s time to audit.

The Q1 Reality Check

You start the year sprinting, taking on every project that breathes, and by now, you’re realizing that the “dream client” you signed in January is actually a bit of a nightmare, or that your pricing doesn’t quite cover the 2026 cost of living (don’t even get me started on the price of gas lately).

I had a moment last week where I realized I’d spent more time in “reactive mode,” responding to pings and fires, than actually doing the deep work that moves the needle. It’s a classic trap. We get so busy working that we forget to run our business.

Your Q1 “Refresh” Action Plan

Before we flip the calendar to April, I want us to do a quick reset. Here are four things I’m doing (and you should too) to make sure Q2 actually feels like progress, not just more busywork.

1. The “Profit vs. Pain” Audit

Grab a piece of paper and make two columns. On one side, list your current clients/projects. On the other, rate them 1–10 on “Joy/Ease” and “Profitability.”

The Goal: If you have a client who is a 3 on Joy but a 10 on Profit, fine, they pay the bills. But if they’re a 3 on Joy and a 4 on Profit? It’s time to start “quietly looking” for their replacement in Q2.

2. Update Your “Living” Portfolio

Don’t wait until you’re desperate for work to update your site. Did you kill it on a project in February? Take ten minutes today to grab those screenshots or testimonials. Your future self (the one who might be pitching a huge dream contract in June) will thank you for not having to dig through old Slack threads for proof of your brilliance.

3. Check Your Subscriptions

It’s 2026. Everything is a subscription now. I realized I was paying for three different PM tools that basically do the same thing. Audit your bank statement. If you haven’t opened that “productivity” app in six weeks, kill the sub. That’s an extra $30/month for your “Treat Myself” fund.

4. The “Energy” Boundary

Look at your calendar from the last three months. When were you the most miserable? Was it the 8:00 AM calls? The “quick catch-ups” that turned into hour-long brainstorms? Pick one boundary to enforce for Q2. Maybe it’s “No calls on Fridays” or “Inbox opens at 10:00 AM.” Guard that time like your life depends on it.

#partner

Looking Toward Q2

The end of Q1 isn’t a deadline you missed; it’s a data point. Use it. Whether you crushed your goals or you’re just proud you survived the winter, you’re doing the thing. You’re out here building something of your own, and that’s worth a celebratory (fourth) coffee.

Let’s head into April with a little less “hustle” and a lot more “intent.” We’ve got this.

Sending you all the high-vibe, organized-inbox energy for the weeks ahead.

Sara 💛

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📌 this notebook from ban.do is speaking to me lol

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🏋️‍♀️ have had this kettlebell workout on repeat this week. no joke