I’ve been a mom for 10 years now and let me tell you a little secret…I still don’t have it all figured out!

But I know that sharing our stories is one of the most important things we can do in this day-and-age on social media. It helps others see themselves in our anecdotes, and it gives them permission and power to find answers for their challenges.

• 

• 

• 

So in today’s episode, I’m answering the following questions:

1. How do you do it all? I am a wife to a farmer, mom to four kids under the age of ten, a community volunteer, and a small business owner working out of my home office. It’s exhausting. Between the piles of laundry, shoe prints on my hardwood floors, and client task reminders popping up each day, there is no way I can manage it all on my own. So I give you some insight into where and how I outsource some of my responsibilities. 
2. How do you handle the mom guilt? Motherhood is seasonal. When I was a stay-at-home mom in 2015, I had so. much. guilt. about not contributing to our family’s income. But I was able to spend every day with my kids. Fast forward to 2021, and I feel like I’ve done a 180. I’m now contributing financially, but I find myself working well after I’ve picked the kids up from school. In my mind, I’m always going to have mom guilt but I know how to lessen the pressure it can put on my shoulders which leads me into number
3. What do you do to make the days more efficient? On a perfect day, I would start with making some time for myself. I know that I’m at my best when I have a little quiet time before the kids get up. I read (I love a good fiction page-turner), move my body, and just soak in the silence. I also know that I feel my best when I’m eating high-carb, low-fat diet, which isn’t how it works for everybody. But by paying attention to how I feel physically and mentally at different seasons in my life, I’ve learned a lot about myself. And I know that when I care for myself best, I show up most creative and clear for work and most loving for my family.
4. This wasn’t a question but I’m sharing it anyway What is one piece of advice you’d give every mom? To see a mental health counselor or therapist at some point. After a major health issue with one of our children in 2018, I thought I was recovering from the trauma pretty well. But a few months in, I realized I was hiding a lot of my feelings and I was a wound-up ball of emotion just ready to burst. It was upon talking to a trusted friend about her mental health counselor that I took the change and made an appointment with a therapist. It felt so good to speak about my feelings without fear of judgment. I could open up and get objective opinions from a professional, and talking through my thoughts just felt so much lighter. If you aren’t feeling yourself, know that it’s ok to seek out professional help. No judgment, no shame.

In Summary

I really went all over the place in today’s episode in no particular order. I’m not perfect. I’m no parenting expert. I’m not a seasoned business owner. But this is my real-life take at where I’m at in life as of May 2021.
I hope it was helpful and you could find a few pointers inside.

Get more from Small-Minded

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for weekly updates and photos!