Being a working mother can feel overwhelming at times. You feel like you’re constantly moving from one project to another, feeling like time is against you. There is good news, you’re doing an amazing job. Being a mother is no easy task, and adding work to the mix? You deserve all the awards! It might not feel like a glamorous lifestyle, and truly most days it’s not. But, here are some tips to remember when you’re feeling burnt out.
- Stop Comparing yourself!
This is a hard one…Nobody is perfect, not even mothers! There will be times when you make mistakes, at work and at home. This by no means defines who you are as a woman. It means that you learn from these mistakes and adapt. But in the midst of learning, do not compare yourself to other mothers. Yes, others may look like they have it all together, but in reality, people show you what they want you to see. If you admire how a woman balances her work and home life, ask her how she does it? She will probably say with a ton of support but I often learn from how others a great tip or a new local service that saves time. Just don’t hold yourself up to others standards. Every day is an opportunity to constantly improve in all areas of life. Getting advice and tips are a yes! Having another woman as a standard you should be at and beating yourself up? A big no!
2. Make lists and stay organized
Life can get very overwhelming, from juggling doctor’s appointments, to meetings, to general house maintenance, these tasks can pile up. You can help relieve some of the stress by making a daily or weekly to-do list of things you need to focus on for that day along with reminders of what you have to do. Whether you like to write it out and carry it with you or keep the list in an app or on your phone, picking the best format for you is the key to success.
Here are some steps on how to make the most effective to-do list.
3. Be present.
If you are at work, unless it’s an emergency, remain present. When you’re a mother your mind can be full of everything you need to get done. Did the laundry get finished? Do I have food for lunches tomorrow? The questions are never-ending. Focus on where you are now and trust in yourself to get all the required tasks done when it is time to do them. Block scheduling also helps with being present. Schedule times for work tasks but also schedule time for home tasks such as folding laundry and grocery shopping. Knowing when you will be accomplishing things on your to do list frees your mind so you can focus and be present with whatever or whomever is in front of you.
4. If you need help, ask!
Most days, moms are like superheroes. We have to do anything and everything to keep everyone moving forward. If you need an extension on an assignment because it’s taking longer than expected or you simply got caught behind, ask. If you need help around the house, ask. If you need help with the kids, ask. You are not in this alone, even if you feel like you are. Reach out to your spouse, family, co-workers and more when you can’t juggle everything. Additionally, there are so many services available now to ease the time crunch burden. Everything from grocery or dry cleaning delivery to meal prep in a box. I once hired a laundress for three months during a terribly busy time in our lives. (Best splurge ever!) The point is, nothing lasts forever, do what you need to do to get it done in whatever way fits your family!
Being a working mother is hard. There are ups and downs, but know you are not alone! There will be days where life can get overwhelming but know you can handle it!
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