Staying Sane with a Lot on Your Plate
By TMoM Team Member Rhea Williamsom
How to find balance is such a common question among moms. This is such a common question because many moms can feel like they are losing their minds trying to balance their schedules. Not only are we our child’s chef, doctor, driver, and more, but we are also trying not to forget about our personal lives. Our plates can become full quickly.
I am a stay-at-home mom, content creator, homeschool teacher, author, and someone who enjoys sewing. When the year started, I was determined to find the time in the day instead of saying there wasn’t enough time. Here are ten tips and tricks on staying sane while managing a full plate.
- Prioritize Tasks: Identify the most important tasks and tackle them first. Some things we have added to our plates before the right time. Maybe that business needs to pause, or this is just your season to write the book but not publish it. Take the time to evaluate all the tasks. Determine which is most important and what can wait. Having something wait doesn’t mean it will never happen.
- Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, instead of waiting to clean the entire house in one day, try cleaning sections of the house throughout the week. This makes our task less intimidating.
- Time Management: This is my favorite tip. In January, I sat down and wrote out everything I do on a daily and weekly basis and how long it takes. This helped to determine what my week looks like. I discovered Wednesdays were my freest days. Do you know what your week looks like or are you just going with the flow?
- Learn to Delegate: You are no less of a mom if you ask for help even if that means asking your husband. Delegating can free up your time to focus on more important responsibilities. I asked my husband to commit to one thing each week. He helps throughout the week but washing the dishes is his daily task. This has lightened my physical and mental load in a significant way.
- Practice Self-Care: Taking breaks and recharging your batteries is essential for maintaining your sanity. Everyone self self-care looks different. Even though getting a pedicure is a common self-care treat, my ticklish feet make this treatment uncomfortable. Self-care for me looks like sewing uninterrupted. Indulging in your hobbies is also a form of self-care.
- Organization: I have never been the planner girly, but I’ve had to become one for my sanity. I decided to buy a $6 thin planner. It didn’t have anything fancy, no stickers, or all the cute things. I started with something simple to practice being disciplined and not be overwhelmed with choices. Writing your task out on a planner will help elevate a mental load. Writing your task out will also increase the chances of you remembering.
- Learn to Say No: This is a big one for me. Growing up I was a people pleaser, so the word “no” often got used as “NO problem.” It’s okay to say no to additional responsibilities. It’s ok to say no even if you have the time to do it. Setting boundaries is crucial for avoiding burnout.
- Be kind to yourself: Don’t beat yourself up when you miss a task. I used to be so mad with myself when I was too tired to make dinner because I felt like I failed my family. Then the guilt kicked in that veggies wouldn’t be served with the takeout. I had to decide to stay in anger and guilt or walk in the truth that I’m still a good mom. Order that takeout and pop some veggies in the microwave to put on the side. Don’t let mommy guilt win. It would also help to focus on three main tasks you would like to accomplish. This will help you set a realistic goal. This will also help you figure out what task you might have to move around or remove.
- Support System: Sometimes, talking things out with someone can provide a fresh perspective and help you find solutions. It’s helpful to have someone in your corner who can keep you encouraged when you feel overwhelmed.
- Celebrate Progress: One lesson I learned from a friend is celebrating the wins. Look at the task you accomplished and celebrate. Instead of saying “I only got this done” start saying “Yes! I got this done today!” Recognizing your progress can boost your motivation and morale.
Remember that it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. By implementing these tips, you can effectively manage your workload and maintain your sanity.
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