3 Ways to Reset When Stress Gets the Better of your Morning Routine
Picture this: You come downstairs one morning, fully prepared to ensure a smooth start to the day. But to your surprise, nobody in the household seems to remember what they're supposed to do each morning! The house is a mess, you're already late for drop offs which automatically puts you behind for your workday, everyone's moving at a snail's pace and the bickering amongst kids sends your stress levels skyrocketing.
I've been there! And honestly, this has been my morning experience on multiple occasions! It's like my children suddenly forgot how our morning routine works; a routine we've been following for what feels like a billion years.
In fact, here recently we had such a morning that had me fully losing my cool. I never claim to be perfect, and I know this will be relatable for many women, but I began nagging, raising my voice, and turning into the mom I didn't want to be. It was frustrating and I didn't want this to set a negative tone for the entire day. These chaotic mornings can be a real energy drain and often lead to mom guilt and self-blame.
But here's the thing. I've learned that if I let my missteps haunt me all day, it turns into guilt, shame and overthinking that can eat away at me. I'm going to share this secret with you. As working moms, there's not one woman who can say 100% of their mornings run perfectly. We've all been there! Whether it's the morning rush or bedtime battles, there are moments when we lose our cool and become the mom we don't want to be.
What matters most after we have these moments is what we do next. Over the course of my motherhood journey, I've identified three key steps to reset yourself after those tense moments.
1. Evaluate the Trigger: The first step is to identify what triggered your frustration. Is it the constant time pressure? Maybe it's the feeling that your kids aren't listening to you. By recognizing these triggers, you can take proactive steps to manage them.
2. Talk to Someone: Don't bottle up your feelings. Find a fellow working mom, a friend, or a colleague and share what happened. Talking it out can provide comfort and perspective, reminding you that you're not alone in this struggle. And don't wait on this step - get your bluetooth running when you hop in the car!
3. Apologize and Make a Plan: There's immense power in apologizing to your kids when you've lost your cool or made a mistake. It shows them that you're human and models the good behavior you want to see from them. After the apology and validation of their feelings, work with your kids to create a plan to prevent these situations from happening again. When everyone is on board, it becomes easier to both recognize and diffuse future triggers.
Remember, none of us are perfect, and that's perfectly okay. The goal isn't perfection; it's progress. These three steps, you can help to instantly reset your mindset when things get chaotic and busy. It's about finding peace in the moment and setting yourself up for success in the future.
Now, if you're a multitasking mom like me, I produced an entire podcast episode on this topic. I encourage you to tune in to the full episode by clicking here. You'll hear more about these steps, personal anecdotes, and how they can truly transform your life as a working mom. And don't forget to share your feedback and experiences with me at info@lacyjungman.com. Your perspective matters, and you're not alone in this journey.
