Overcoming Overwhelm, Fatigue, Self-Sabotage, and Procrastination
Motherhood is a beautiful journey, and it can also be incredibly demanding and overwhelming, especially for those who often juggle multiple responsibilities. The relentless cycle of caring for children, managing a household, and possibly pursuing a career can lead to burnout. Today we are going to explore some effective solutions to help you overcome overwhelm, fatigue, self-sabotage, and procrastination, allowing you to regain control of your life.
This might sound crazy but my first recommendation is important, but not for the reasons you might think.
Prioritize Self-Care: One of the most important steps in combating burnout is prioritizing self-care. As moms we often neglect our own well-being, but it’s crucial to set aside time for activities that recharge your energy. Making time for the things that are important to YOU! Yes, a bubble bath or spa day can fit into the self-care category but I’m thinking more along the lines of making sure mental, emotional and physical health are A-OK! Are you checking in with yourself or are you just going through the motions of life?
Self-care is taking care of your emotional needs, being present with yourself so you can be present with your family. It is also physical health, do you work out? Walk? Get out in Nature? If not, how can you possibly cope with the stresses of life? Be honest, here!
Some examples of what self care looks like for me are, waking up 30-60 minutes before everyone else, getting sunshine in my eyes before even opening my phone and reading. Most days this is bible study and I do my best to connect with God before I start my day. It truly helps prepare me for anything that gets thrown my way. Patience and gratitude are my focus so I don’t lose sight of what is important.
Another big one for me is having breakfast (believe it or not, I used to never eat until around 1 or 2pm! YIKES, that was stressful on my body and definitely contributed to my hormonal imbalances. My supplement and nutrition routine is priority number one as this area is a make or break it for me. If I skip meals or skip my Happy Juice, everyone knows it.
Bottom line, whether your thing is a bath, meditation, reading or exercise, make sure you are making time for those things! You know the saying, you cannot pour from an empty cup. It’s true.
Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary for mental and physical health.
Create a Realistic Schedule: Overwhelm often arises from an unrealistic schedule or no schedule at all. Break your day into manageable chunks, allocate time for tasks, and be flexible. Remember, it’s okay and necessary to say no to additional commitments that could lead to burnout. Mom tip, kids thrive with schedules and knowing what to expect. We are a family that does not deviate from our schedule even on the weekends. Wake up times, breakfast, snack, play, lunch, etc., it’s all done around the same time daily. Of course there is room for spontaneity and fun but in general, we keep it simple for our sanity. Make sure you are scheduling important events, meetings, workouts, etc., on a shared calendar where everyone can see and update.
If it’s not in my phone or on the family calendar, it does not exists and will likely get missed. Do not rely on your memory.
Seek Support and Delegation: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s from a partner, family, or friends, sharing responsibilities can alleviate fatigue and overwhelm. Delegating tasks like household chores or childcare can free up valuable time. Stop trying to do it all!
Set Boundaries: Establishing boundaries is crucial for mental well-being. Communicate your needs to your family and let them know when you need personal time. Setting limits on work hours and social commitments can also help prevent burnout.
From experience as someone who never used to enforce boundaries, the resentment will build eventually and lead to dysfunction in the relationship.
Address Self-Sabotage: Self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors can contribute to burnout. Recognize negative patterns, challenge them, and replace them with strategy that helps rewire those negative beliefs. I do not believe positive affirmations are good enough, there is a deeper root cause of intrusive thoughts and self sabotage and you need to work with someone qualified to help you overcome these. Consider working with a coach or therapist for personalized guidance. You know who I recommend 🙂 Check out my 1:1 Break Method Intensive, Infinite Woman Self Study course, or my personalized 1:1 mentorship options.
Combat Procrastination: Procrastination often stems from feeling overwhelmed. New research tells us that procrastination is actually a trauma response and coping mechanism. There is a lot we could dive into here but for now, let’s “focus on five.” What five things can you complete today? Realistically? Break tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, and set realistic deadlines. I love SMART goals which I wrote about a few years ago, you can find that post here.
Can you create a meal plan and shopping list?
Create a shared calendar for everyone in the family to access?
Read 10 minutes
There are so many things we can do that make us feel a sense of accomplishment. Start slow and once you have built that muscle, you keep going and continue to add on.
In Break Method we help clients see how their patterns contribute to these coping mechanisms and we provide strategies to combat and overcome it.
Practice Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Incorporate mindfulness techniques and stress reduction practices into your daily routine. Deep breathing exercises, nervous system regulation exercises, prayer or meditation can help you stay grounded and reduce stress.
Connect with a Supportive Community: Joining or creating a community of like-minded moms can provide emotional support and a sense of belonging. Share experiences and solutions, knowing you’re not alone in your struggles.
We have a brand new Facebook community where you are always welcome. My purpose with this group is to recreate what has been so carefully crafted in my Pilates Studio. A Loving, Caring, SAFE place for women to connect, heal and grow.
To summarize, motherhood is sacred and the seasons change, but burnout is a common issue. It is avoidable if you know how to approach your day to day. By prioritizing self-care, creating realistic schedules, seeking support, setting boundaries, addressing self-sabotage, and combating procrastination, Let’s get you back to feeling your best so you can enjoy the best season of your life, motherhood! Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and with the right strategies, you can break free from burnout and lead a more fulfilling life.
What are you going to implement today? I want to know.
With love,
Crystal
