The Sunday Sanctuary With Pamela Pekerman
A weekly series that profiles the most fabulous, hard-working, 24/7 hustlers, and how they spend their Sundays.
Pamela Pekerman is the creator of Hustle Like a Mom and a serial entrepreneur who has been producing and hosting events for over a decade. This seasoned On-Air Expert, frequently appears on top morning shows including Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Good Day NY, ABC Houston and NBC Miami Mix, sharing time-saving tips for busy moms.
As mom of two, Pamela understands the need for community, and authentic connections with other like-minded women that are doing, creating and redefining what it means to be a working mom.
Q: What time do you wake up or does the alarm go off ?
A: I need to wake up at 6:30am so I have 1 hour to myself before it’s time to get the kids up, fed and ready for school ZOOM. But, some days, I wake up tired and it’s an 8:15-9am sprint to get the kids ready first and then I take care of my face, mind, food … and, always, tea!
Q: What is your morning routine (specifically the first 15)
A: I don’t sleep next to a phone, never liked having one in the bedroom. My first 15min vary from kids waking me up or me washing my face and going in to wake them up. I give them a few minutes to really wake up, while I go and put on makeup or get dressed. Then I check on them again, make jokes to get them moving and making sure they have their clothing (prepped, and as of age 6, approved, the night before). Depending on time, in relation to the start of their first zoom class, I like to take a few moments to do Morning Pages - jotting down free flow whats in my head. Sometimes the most powerful ideas and inner revelations come down thru me. It’s like mental cleanse.
Q: What is your Sunday mantra?
A: Hustle Like a Mom, just like every mother that has come before me. We know how to juggle, and we know which balls (when needed) can fall. Hustle Like a Mom doesn’t mean you keep juggling everything perfectly, it’s about knowing when/which balls can drop.
Q: What’s your go to breakfast/brunch?
A: Eggs Florentine on GG crackers with a side of berries
Q: Do you give yourself any Sunday self-care treatments?
A: A shower! No joke, some days during the week is a shower whip or an in-he-sink, under-the-arms wash up. Sunday = shower! I also love taking walks … alone. LONG 20-30 min walks along to just be and find my brain cells.
Q: What song is a good representation of your Sunday?
A: Unwritten
Q: How has your Sunday routine changed over the years?
A: I value me time more than ever before. I need time alone to just process and locate my thoughts. It’s a blessing to be a mom, but it has meant (especially in 2020) no time to myself. So, I fully feel and appreciate 3 minutes of tea time. I really, really feel that peace and every 180 second of the sipping and stillness.
Q: Do you exercise?
A: I used to workout with a trainer 3x week. Right before COVID I had some medical issues that took 3 months to semi-sort out. I was cleared to workout right before the pandemic hit. I’m still trying to find a groove again. Ideally, I do Melissa Woods and virtual Bar Method classes. But it has not been easy to find time or energy. As I share this, I almost want this to be my public cry for accountability for even 2x week 15min flows!
Q: Do you like to spend your Sunday alone or with family/friends?
A: I’ve always liked to have Sunday evening 5-8/9pm to myself. I don't mind if I could have all of Sunday alone. I’m all-in with my kids and hubs M-S. So ALONE works just fine for me. Maybe that will change in years to come.
Q: Do you use any apps or products for relaxation?
A: I’m big on tech free, especially in relaxing. So I prefer to use scents and sounds. AERA home is the coolest diffuser, app controlled and you can change the intensity. I prefer to get up and use it. Smells are amazing. I also like Indee Lee Meditation Facial Mist, which I keep on my desk. And, one of my fav things to do is apply lotion to feet and put on puffy socks. Amenda Beauty body butter is the best lotion I’ve ever found - a total farm to body find.
Q: What is your ideal bedtime?
A: 10:45pm EST
Q: What are some of your favorite Sunday activities?
A: Walking or working out in the morning before 9am. Then I usually have a Pick My Brain biz clarity client, sometimes 2 in a row. Sunday is now my Monday, because I opted for virtual learning with my kids (1st and 2nd grade) and we don’t let in any outside help, so Sunday is golden for me to hustle for my business growth. I usually end up doing some family activities after lunch - biking, baking, going on a foliage drive. Before dinner I’m usually in my home office working on visuals or script for upcoming Hustle Like a Mom virtual mingle+learn event, or I am negotiating with sponsors for the event. I prefer to end my day with my husband. He puts them to bed. And then, I prep us tea, dessert and our time.
Q: How do you prepare for the week ahead?
A: I do a Sunday dump on a piece of paper - it’s everything that comes to mind for work, home, kids school, food prep. Then, when I’m good, I review and slot in essentials for at least Monday and Tuesday. I used to do the whole week, but things change so much that I usually wait to do midweek until Tuesday evening.