Feel like the year is running away on you?
Have a billion things you want to do, but get stuck at the thought of even starting?
Feeling paralysed with overwhelm?
For some of us, being a mum is overwhelming January- the month full of sun and fun and holidays - can actually leave you feeling stuck, stress, or like you are treading water for the 'real' year to start once school goes back or you get back into your normal say to day life and routines. Or maybe you're seeing all these people talk about their 'word of the year', their big goals or their perfect pics of them hitting the ground running in 2022.
That me! Today is the first day of February, school is back, and I can try and get back into my routines. I NEED routine. But I feel stuck, frozen!
It doesn't just happen to me at the start of the year. I can be any time, any month, any week. Here's my mum hacks I use to help me work through this funk.
1. Be kind to yourself.
When you feel like crap, the last thing you need is to make yourself feel worse. Don't beat yourself up. It doesn't help. Talk to yourself like, you'd talk to a friend (or even a stranger!). You can't do it all, all at the same time. You do enough for your kids, You are enough.
2. Pick one thing
You can't do it all, all at the same time. Often we get overwhelmed trying to do and be ALL the things for everyone. Consider the season of life you and your kids are in, and what you need to focus on most. It doesn't matter what you focus on, what the one thing is. There is no right and wrong. And you can change your focus tomorrow, next week, next month, or when ever you want. But picking on thing to focus on, for now, can help you get moving through that mum funk.
3. Put one foot in front of the other
Just start. Momentum creates momentum. You've picked your focus, for now, and the next step is to just do something, anything, to work towards it. Again, it doesn't matter what the action is, or how tiny it might seem, just do something.
The state of the house overwhelming you? Put away one thing.
Kids fighting stressing you out and you just need them to stop? Offer a favorite distraction,get a special treat or snack.
Feeling flat and just 'blah'? Go outside.
Worried about something for your child - School? Appointment? Medical? Send an email, make a call, leave a message.
Tired and just need a break? Can you out on a movie and lay on the lounge?
Feeling panicked? Just BREATE.
One thing.
This mum gig is tough. We don't need the added guilt and stress of feeling like we aren't motivated and don't have the whole year planned by the end of January. Be kind to yourself. Choosing one thing and taking one step forwards can help ease the overwhelm.
Still don't know where to start and want some more guidance? Check out my Daily Life Run Down Workbook to help you pick one thing and priorities where to start.
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