Some weeks feel like a gentle stroll. Others feel like a three‑ring circus where you’re the ringmaster, the clown, and the person sweeping up the popcorn all at once. This week? Definitely the latter. Between school projects, work deadlines, and a house that seems to regenerate laundry overnight, I’ve been leaning hard on a few small things that are keeping me afloat.
In the spirit of honesty and solidarity, here are the five things saving my sanity right now.
1. My “Did I Roll My Eyes Out Loud” Morning Mug
There’s something about that first cup of coffee that feels like a tiny contract with the universe: I will show up today, but only after this. I’ve been using my oversized, slightly dramatic mug every morning, and it’s become a ritual. I sit for five quiet minutes—no phone, no to‑do list, no one asking where their shoes are. Just me, my coffee, and a moment to breathe before the day starts sprinting.
2. A 10-Minute Evening Reset
I’ve stopped trying to do a full clean-up at night (because honestly, who has the energy?). Instead, I set a timer for ten minutes and do the bare minimum: clear the counters, fluff the couch pillows, toss stray socks into the laundry basket. It’s amazing how much calmer the house feels in the morning when it doesn’t look like a tornado named “Family Life” blew through.
3. My Walking Playlist
I’ve been sneaking in indoor walks during the day—just ten or fifteen minutes—to shake off the mental fog. My playlist is pure serotonin: a mix of early‑2000s throwbacks, a little Taylor Swift, and one or two songs that make me feel like the main character in a movie montage. It’s the quickest way I’ve found to reset my mood without caffeine or chocolate… though I still fully support both.
And on the days when music alone isn’t cutting it, I’ll pop on a quick YouTube walking video from channels like Up to the Beat Fitness or Get Fit With Rick. Ten minutes with them feels like a tiny mood reset disguised as movement, and it’s just the right amount of “I did something for myself today.”
4. A Zero‑Guilt Dinner Shortcut
This week’s MVP: rotisserie chicken. I’ve used it for tacos, salads, wraps, and one night I just put it on a plate with fruit and called it “deconstructed dinner.” No one complained. No one cried. No one asked what else we had. That alone makes it a sanity saver.
5. Saying “Not This Week” Without Apologizing
This one is new for me. I’ve been practicing saying no to the extra things—the optional commitments, the “quick favors,” the projects that sound fun but would push me over the edge. And you know what? The world keeps spinning. My shoulders feel lighter. And I’m remembering that protecting my energy is not selfish; it’s necessary.
If You’re in the Thick of It Too…
If this week has felt like a lot for you too, consider this your reminder that you’re not doing anything wrong—you’re just human, and life is full. Some seasons stretch us more than others, and needing a few shortcuts or sanity savers doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re paying attention to what you need. So take the help, choose the easy dinner, say the gentle no, and breathe. We’re figuring it out together, one small lifeline at a time.
Final Thoughts
Motherhood has a way of stretching us thin and filling us up at the same time. Some weeks require a little extra support, a few shortcuts, and a whole lot of grace. These five things are helping me stay grounded, present, and (mostly) sane—and if you’re in a similar season, I hope they remind you that small shifts can make a big difference.
Share below what’s saving your sanity this week.
With coffee in one hand and grace in the other,
💛 Bethany