If you’re a mom who feels like she’s drowning, please know you are not alone. Motherhood comes with an endless list of responsibilities. Feeding everyone, grocery shopping, household tasks, playtime, appointments, cleaning, feeding the dog…the list could go on forever. When we look at everything we need to do as one giant to-do list, it’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed.

One thing that has helped me is looking at my week instead of just my day. Rather than expecting myself to accomplish everything today, I ask myself:

“What are the two or three things that would make today feel like a win?”

Maybe it’s getting one load of laundry done. Maybe it’s taking the kids to the park. Maybe it’s simply making it through a hard day with a little more patience. When I accomplish those few priorities, I remind myself that I’ve done what I set out to do. The rest can wait until tomorrow. Here is an example:

Morning:

• Throw in one load of laundry
• Dishes in the dishwasher after breakfast
• Take the kids to the park

Afternoon:

• Fold and put away laundry
• Meal prep dinner

Evening

• Kitchen reset (load dish washer & wipe down counters)

You know yourself and your family best, so prioritize what is most important to you. Notice, I didn’t have vacuum every room in the house or mop the floors or clean the windows listed. One, I can’t tell you the last time, our windows were cleaned, because it’s not a priority for me. Mopping the floors? Someone dumps out the dog dish full of water at least twice a day so naturally I clean the floors when that happens. Our black lab usually volunteers to clean the floors after meals. Vacuuming? Not happening today! I’ll send out the Rumba only for it to scare me half to death an hour later when it gets stuck behind the door somewhere in the house. Anyways, the point is obviously there are more things that happen in a day that are part of the day to day, but beyond those, what would help you feel like you crushed the day if you got it done?

Okay so here’s the part I’m still learning…

If you’re anything like me, you might finish those two or three things and immediately start looking for something else to do. Instead of enjoying a quiet moment to yourself, you feel guilty sitting down because there’s always something else that needs to get done.

But motherhood has been teaching me that rest isn’t something we earn after everything is finished. Because let’s be honest we would be setting ourselves up to fail if we tried to get everything done everyday. There will always be another load of laundry to fold, another dish to wash, another toy to pick up. For me personally, I feel like my brain is wired to look around and see what all needs to be done instead of pausing and recognizing all that I have done.

So if you find yourself with a few quiet minutes today, take them. Read a book, enjoy a cup of coffee or matcha instead of heating it up 3 hours after you made it, sit outside and enjoy the sunshine, maybe lay down and “rest your eyes” like my Nana used to always say before she started snoring. These moments are not a waste of time, they are recharging you for the rest of the day.

Because if you’ve spent any time raising little ones, you know that naps can end early, patience can run short, and someone will inevitably need you sooner than expected.

So today, instead of measuring your worth by how much you crossed off your to do list, measure it by this:

Did I love my family well? Did I show up as the mom I want to be?

If the answer is yes, I’d say you crushed it 🙂 Give yourself permission to leave some things for tomorrow. Close your eyes, put your hand over your heart, and take a deep breath, your nervous system and your family will appreciate it.

I’d love to hear from you! What is one thing that would make today feel like a win? Share it in the comments so we can cheer each other on!

And if no one has told you lately, you’re are doing an amazing job.

With Gratitude,
Angie
Moved by Motherhood