It was 9:30am on a Wednesday and I was sitting on the couch - still not dressed, coffee in hand, kids playing and driving me a little crazy, dishes in the sink, dishwasher full, laundry that needed to be done, and all of the things on my to-do list. I was drowning. Drowning and feeling completely overwhelmed by my responsibilities. The responsibilities of being a mom, full-time working mom, and wife. Running a home. Cooking, Cleaning. Keeping up with the chores. It all started feeling like too much. All of these things, which I normally enjoy and love, were weighing on me because I could not show up as the woman I wanted to be in those roles. I was allowing myself to drown by taking on too much, not getting enough done, and not sticking to commitments that I made.

Then, I remembered a training I took about taking control. Taking back control of my life. After all, I DECIDED TO HAVE KIDS, A HOME, A JOB, A HUSBAND, AND ALL OF THE THINGS I WAS FEELING DROWNED BY. What. Why in the world am I drowning myself in decisions I have made?

I was thinking to myself - this isn’t THAT bad. What do I really need to do right now so that I never feel this way again (at least not as a daily feeling). Then immediately I heard God whisper in my ear ‘ Emily, you need to take back control.’ So, there I am talking to the 6 month old, and the 3 1/2 year old saying ‘Guys, it’s time to take control of our day.’

I turned the TV off. Got out some playdoh for my little guy. Put the baby in the highchair with a teether. Tackled the dishes. Tackled starting the laundry. Picked up the house. Changed my clothes. Washed my face. And got to work. I opened my computer and made a list of things I needed to get done for work that day. Made a list of things I wanted to get done at home - which included spent time with Liam once Hailey went down for her nap.

I made sure that I covered all of the bases. And I started tackling things. I started being productive instead of making excuses. Wow, it felt good to do that.

By the end of the day though, I was totally exhausted. I gave 110% at least that day. Which we are not meant to do on a consistent basis. So, I told myself that I would not put myself in this position again. I would do a variety of things each day, that will set the ‘tomorrow me’ up for success. This is valuable stuff, right? To anyone who is feeling the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm that this pandemic has caused, or that the decisions of your life have caused you.

By setting up a routine and making this routine a rhythm in my life - I have become methodic in how I run our lives so that I’m accomplishing things without putting out more energy than I need to. That is allowing me time for me. Allowing me time to workout, eat better, make time to be with friends and family more.

If this sounds like you, sounds like something you’ve experienced, or sounds like something you need help with in your life - parent or not. Let me help you through it!

Here’s how…

• Join my live course…

  • bi-weekly zoom sessions - 6 total

  • covering topics of

    • planning your week

    • communicating with your family / household members

    • setting boundaries

    • getting your kids involved

    • changing your mindset

    • being consistent.

    • setting goals that you will achieve

    • learn how to create routines and rhythms that are specialized to YOUR situation and will help you feel less overwhelmed

      Learn more about my Leadership course here.