If you’re a mom like myself, you know that there are many overwhelming parts to motherhood. It can be beautiful and have so many happy and soul filling moments. AND it comes with increased responsibility, more tasks to get done, and increased stress. Many women and mothers specifically report a constant feeling of overwhelm that they can’t shake or seem to get rid of. If this is you, I see you.
Feeling a constant state of overwhelm or overstimulation, while common, is not what we should just accept as “normal”. Being overwhelmed at different periods during your pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood journey? Absolutely. Motherhood IS overwhelming. And that overwhelm can increase with more children, more responsibilities, and more tasks on the to do list. However, feeling a constant state of overwhelm that never subsides and you can’t seem to get away from? Or feeling that you’re so overwhelmed and burnt out that you’re unable to feel happiness, you’re struggling with depression, and your life or relationships are struggling as a result? Those are not things that we should accept as “this is just normal.”
If you are a mother and feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and struggling to feel happiness, please know that there is hope and you do not have to continue to feel this way forever. If this is something you’re resonating with, consider trying some of the strategies below to help you stop feeling in a constant, never-ending state of overwhelm.
- Start asking for more help. I know this is hard and sometimes help isn’t always readily available or freely given, which is a whole other conversation. If you have people in your life that you can ask for help from and are willing to help you out, take advantage of it. Allow others to help, even in small ways.
- Outsource. Along the lines of asking for help, outsourcing things that you don’t want to do or don’t have time to get done can be a great strategy to help your to-do list decrease while still getting things accomplished. This could look like hiring a cleaning service, using grocery delivery services, hiring someone to maintain your lawn, or any other task that others may be willing to do for a fee.
- Stop trying to do it all. I know this one can also feel particularly hard. That being said, being realistic with yourself, focusing on just 2-3 tasks a day, and allowing yourself the mental break of not trying to figure out how you’re going to get it all done, can bring a feeling of less stress and overwhelm. It’s okay if some things don’t get done.
- Set boundaries and be willing to say “no.” I often see that some of the most overwhelmed women are the same ones that struggle to set healthy boundaries and say “no” to others. Saying “no” is not a bad word. You are allowed to say “no” to things that don’t help you, serve you, or that you just flat out don’t want to do. This can reduce your task list, reduce feelings of frustration and overwhelm, and help you feel that motherhood is more enjoyable.
- Get off your phone. Most of us don’t even realize how much time we spend on our phones scrolling, watching videos, and taking in information. Social media is a huge source of overwhelm and overstimulation. Challenge yourself to put your phone in a different room, focus on tasks at hand, and be more present in the moment with others.
- Seek support from someone who gets it. Therapy can be a great place to gain support and help you manage these feelings. As a woman and mother myself, I have helped many women learn ways to cope with and reduce feelings of overwhelm, and I am here to help you too.
If you are struggling to enjoy motherhood right now and feel in a constant state of overwhelm, overstimulation, and/or unhappiness, I see you and I see how hard things are feeling. I have been you and I know that it is possible to feel less overwhelmed. Reach out today to learn how I can help.
