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Some days I’m thriving. Other days, I stare at my kitchen like it personally offended me, and I wonder if I’m even doing this motherhood thing right. If you’ve been there (or you’re there right now), this is your reminder: protecting your mental health as a mom doesn’t have to be loud, expensive, or perfectly planned. Sometimes, it’s about the quiet, in-the-trenches choices we make to keep going, to keep breathing, and to keep showing up for ourselves and our people.
Here are five quiet ways I protect my mental health, especially on the days when I feel like I’m running on fumes.
1. I Lower the Bar (On Purpose)
Let me be clear: the bar wasn’t very high to begin with, but I still manage to trip over it sometimes.
There are days when laundry has sat in baskets for three days… and that actually became a teaching moment. I handed each of my kids a stack and said, “It’s time you learn how to fold and put away your own clothes.” That moment of “failing” actually turned into a win. Same with dishes. Same with sweeping.
Lowering the bar doesn’t mean giving up, it means releasing the pressure to do it all alone.
2. I Step Away Without Explaining Myself
Remember that whole “never shake a baby” PSA? Yeah… well that applies whether your baby is 3 months old, 3 years old, or 13 years old.
There have been times I’ve walked away mid-argument, mid-mess, mid-meltdown, and just said: nope. I’ve walked into my bathroom, closed the door, and taken a long bath like I was in a spa commercial. (Minus the fancy candle. I should probably get some of those.)
Or I’ve told the kids to give me 30 minutes while I “fold laundry,” but what I really did was sit on the floor with a snack and watch a show. Sometimes walking away is the best you can do, and that’s enough.
3. I Let Things Be ‘Good Enough’
There are days when I make a delicious homemade dinner and bake a cake from scratch. And there are also days when bean burritos and carrot sticks do the job.
I wrestle with perfectionism, if I start a project or a cleaning spree, I want to finish it. I want it to be just right. But that mindset drains me fast.
So lately, I’ve practiced saying: “This is good enough. I’ve spent all the energy I’m willing to give today.”
And I walk away.
Because guess what? The chores will still be there tomorrow (they’re real clingy like that). But my peace? That’s something I have to fight for.
4. I Quiet My Inner Critic with My Kids’ Words
You ever hear your child say something like:
“Mommy, this food is awesome!”
…and it’s literally just chicken nuggets heated in the air fryer?
Same.
Or:
“Mommy, I had so much fun today!”
…even if you didn’t leave the house.
Their words remind me that I’m doing a good job, even on the days I feel like I’m not.
So when my inner critic starts throwing shade, I borrow my kids’ voices instead.
It’s a better soundtrack.
5. I Protect My Input
It’s way too easy to fall into the comparison trap, especially on social media.
“They’re doing amazing.”
“They have a huge following.”
“Their blog posts get read.” (Yes, that one hits a little close to home. 😅)
So sometimes I log off. I close the app, toss my phone on the bed, and go do something for me.
Lately, I’ve been re-reading Percy Jackson on audiobook (because Greek gods + chaos = my kind of escape). If you’re looking for a good read, I recommend this full box set of the Percy Jackson series. It’s fun, fast-paced, and weirdly calming when your real life feels like a battle of its own.
Other times, I take a walk, stretch, or just sit on the porch with a drink in silence. Protecting your mental health as a mom starts with noticing what’s stealing your peace and choosing something different.
Final Thoughts
These five things might not sound groundbreaking. They’re quiet. Small. Unfancy. But they matter.
Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is not fall apart.
Sometimes showing up is the win.
So if today feels heavy, take a deep breath and pick just one of these to try.
You’re not failing, you’re just human. And you’re doing better than you think.
💛 Let’s Talk
Do you have a quiet way you protect your peace and mental health as a mom? I’d love to hear it in the comments below.
And if this helped you feel seen or supported, will you share it with another mom who might need it too?
✨ Need a Little Extra Support?
I put together a Freebies Library filled with simple printables to help moms like us stay a little more sane—even on the hard days. From meal plans to mental health check-ins, they’re designed to make life just a bit easier.
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