How to Change Your Life (Simply) as a Busy Mum
Ever wondered how to change your life? Or how to even get a step better than your current reality?
Managing kids, work, the house… and somewhere in there, you're supposed to find time for yourself? It's crazy! But guess what? You CAN make changes, even when you feel totally overwhelmed. In this episode, we talked about how to change your life when you don't even know where to start. And as a mum, coach and all the things… I get it! So grab a pen and paper, and let's get started.
If you are reading this and you’re thinking - this would make a great podcast episode, and it would be super easy to listen while I get some things done… your wish is already granted! My blog posts are often (not always) sent out into the world first on my podcast, The Mum Wellbeing Podcast - and this post is one of those. So, if you want to listen instead of read, jump across to my podcast page here and click the link to the show!
How to Change your Life (Simply) as a Busy Mum
This post is all about how to change your life, even if that means moving from stuck in one spot, to being just a little bit forward-moving. If you are one of the ‘I get it all done in 5 minutes’ people, that is so great, and this might feel a little incongruent with how you think or work, but let me tell you that from an ADHD-style brain and fast-doing mama, the reality is that if we go too far too fast, we often end up burnt out or back where we started. (Which is when you need to look at this one I did on Mum burnout, because it’s hard work getting back from that!)
These three little dot points will help you really start to move along in a consistent, stick-to-it kind of way with making those changes. Here we go!
Brain Dump Your Frustrations:
First up, grab a couple of different colored pens (not your favorite color to start!). On the left side of your paper, write down the three things that are REALLY annoying you right now. The things that are sticking in your neck, in your brain, and that are a major source of frustration for you in managing everyday life. But remember, we're talking about stuff you can control. We’re not talking about work problems, we’re not talking about our kid’s friendships, and as I said in the podcast, 'I am not talking about husbands!' We're focusing on your actions and your mindset."
Reframe and Reality Check:
Now, grab that other pen (maybe your favorite colour this time. I love that our favourite colour is one that we subconsciously work towards, right?). On the right side of the page, write down the improved version of each of those frustrations with a little specific-ness. So, if your left-side problem is 'My kitchen is always a mess,' the right-side clear, specified solution is 'My kitchen is clean, benches are wiped, the dishes are done, and the food is away in the fridge.' See how that is really practical? (As a life coach for Christian mums, and any mums, I help my clients regularly with these simple, clear success stories so they can really visualise what success looks like - not just a clean kitchen, but here are the things that make up that awe-inspiring place in your expectations.
Now, here's the genius: in between those two columns, write down ONE or TWO tiny steps you can take to get from the problem to the solution. Think super small. Like, 'Wipe the benches every night before the kids go to bed.' As I said, 'What is a step that you could do daily or regularly with regards to changing that?' How can you get started - and experience success? Because that increases motivation, which then increases success - snowball style.
Schedule It & Celebrate the Wins (Big & Small!):
Okay, you've got your tiny changes. Now, you must schedule them in! Put them on your calendar, on your family organisation board if you have one like me, set a reminder on your phone – whatever works for you. And this is the do-not-skip part: celebrate those wins! Even the small ones. Even if that means you are ticking it off on your to-do list, and getting that dopamine hit, it’s very, very important that you get the feeling of ‘Ha! Done!'‘ Like that feeling Oprah probably got when we were kids and she was saying ‘And YOU get a car, and YOU get a car!’
As a bonus here, I'm loving what Courtney DeFeo of Pardon the Mess calls 'Gold Star Moments' – those hard things you finally tackle, especially when you’ve been putting them off so long. Or, it could just be something that is very hard for you, like successfully putting that spider outside the house. (That is my hard!!) As I said on the podcast, 'It is very, very, very important that we can do those hard things. We can do hard things! Yeah. And we teach our kids that we can do hard things.'
How to change your life bit by bit as a tired, busy mama?
"So there you have it, amazing mamas! Three simple steps to start changing your life, even when you're feeling totally overwhelmed. Remember, it's all about those tiny changes and celebrating those wins. You've got this, and our God is right behind you as you love and support your family intentionally. Now, scroll down to check out the freebies and join my Holistic Mum Wellbeing Facebook group. And if you need some one-on-one support, you know where to find me!
What's one tiny change you're going to make this week?
