3 Small Mindset Shifts That Help Working Moms Feel Less Overwhelmed

As working moms, we are often pulled in a dozen directions all at once. Between school drop offs, work meetings, walking the dog, laundry, oh and trying to squeeze in a little time for yourself, it can feel like the overwhelm never ends.

The good news? You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to feel calmer, because who has time for that!? Instead, see how making small shifts to your thinking can result in a significant difference in how you manage stress. Making these mindset shifts a little bit at a time can result in seeing life from a whole new perspective.

Here are three small mindset shifts you can try today to help you feel less overwhelmed and more in control.

1. Trade “I have to” for “I choose to”

One of the fastest ways to reduce daily stress is to pay attention to the words you use, such as the phrase “I have to.” Let’s be honest, many of the things we do each day wouldn’t necessarily be our first pick if we had the option. However, if we focus on thoughts like, “I have to go to work,” or “I have to walk the dogs,” resentment and negativity builds.

Instead, shift the phrasing to, “I choose to.”

• “I choose to go to work so I can provide for my family.”
• “I choose to walk the dogs because it gives me a chance to move my body.”

It might seem like a small change, but this mindset shift helps you remember you do have choices in life. You’re not just reacting, you’re deciding.

2. Good enough is good enough

If you often feel overwhelmed, perfectionism may be sneaking into your day. Working moms tend to put enormous pressure on themselves to do everything “just right,” from work projects to birthday parties to bedtime routines.

But here’s the truth: aiming for perfection keeps you stuck in overdrive because achieving perfection is a myth. It is a made up standard that keeps moms stressed out, stuck, and unhappy. Ditch perfection and allow “good enough” to be the standard you strive for. This will free up a significant amount of time, energy, and mental peace.

• The house doesn’t have to be spotless for it to be a happy home.
• Dinner doesn’t have to be homemade and organic for it to be nourishing.
• You don’t have to work past your designated work hours to be a great employee.

If you can let go of perfection and focus on getting things done in a “good enough” manner, just think how many items you’ll be able to check off your to-do list!

3. Focus on what’s within your control

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when your mind is filled with worries about things you can’t control. Regardless of what you may think, you cannot control your spouse’s mood, the traffic on your drive to work, or a last-minute school change. Life will throw you curveballs and the key is being able to focus on what is within your control.

When feeling stressed, pause and ask yourself: What’s one small thing I can do to improve this situation right now? If you find yourself in a traffic jam on the way to work, why not make the most of it and turn on some uplifting music or catch up on the latest true crime podcast. When your spouse or child is in a foul mood, remind yourself that you cannot control how someone else reacts. You can, however, manage your own mood and emotions by taking some deep breaths or removing yourself from the situation. Focusing on the things that you can control will go a long way in helping to manage anxiety and stress.

Small mindset shifts = big relief over time

Working mom life is full of challenges — but you don’t have to stay stuck in overwhelm. By practicing these small mindset shifts, you’ll start to feel more empowered, calm, and resilient.

✨ Which mindset shift will you try today? Send me a message — I’d love to hear from you!