After 18 years of motherhood, I (April) have finally noticed a pattern in what causes me to be calm–or not.
(I know…light bulb moment!)
There’s a little chart to explain it more in the show notes, (written while I was sitting in church, trying to analyze myself). In today’s podcast, I share a few additional thoughts that will hopefully help you know you’re not alone–and give you some ideas for what to do when you feel crazy.
SHOW NOTES
Here’s the chart I created, if you’d like to take a look. And it may be helpful for you to make your own! Wishing you a great week!
Well done I have been on both sides of your list definetly nicer to be on the calm side thanks for your honesty
Thanks so much, Lor! It’s comforting to know we’re not alone. 🙂
Getting up before my kids is key for me, whether it’s 2 hours or even just 15 minutes. On my “perfect” days I get up, go for a run, have a shower, have a personal gospel devotional, and feel totally in control when my kids wake up. But not every day is like that!!! Some nights I get 2 hours of uninterrupted sleep because I have multiple sick kids, or I’m just worn out from the week. Even on those days, if I can get up 10 or 15 minutes before my kids and just do a quick self care routine, I have so much more tolerance and patience when my kids wake up. I think we add to our personal reserve on days that go really well, and other days we have to make a withdrawal to get by so we need a little surplus. Thanks for your thoughts on this podcast, it’s hard to admit it sometimes – but we all have those hard days!!! ❤️❤️
Alycia, this is FULL of wisdom. Having just a few minutes to think, prepare, and process is game-changing. I think an earlier bedtime would help me here. 🙂 THANK YOU!!!
I just wrote out my calm / not calm list in my journal during nap time this morning. I love this concept. I’ve picked up a couple bad habits I didn’t realize affected me so much until it was in writing. (An example of that habit is staying indoors all day… drives me nuts!) I realize that the “not calm” column is much like a “stop doing” list. (I think the stop do list is an idea from Jim Collins or Dan/Chip Heath).
Thanks so much for this podcast episode! Very helpful!
CJ, I love how easy it sounds when you say, “stop doing” those things. 🙂 So awesome. Thank you!!!
Very beautiful April – thank you for sharing your heart with us. Your list is a great reminder to choose to be calm, rely on God and double our faith. I love this!
Love you so much!! Thank you, Laura!
You have been the answer to my prayers April. Lately I have been feeling overwhelmed and I spoke to my higher power, asking him to please send me an angel-just someone who could give me some wisdom and could relate to everything I was feeling. I read the book-Motherhood Realized and it led me to this power of moms website. You are correct that when we seek guidance from our higher power he will always come through and help us in any way he can. I appreciate your podcasts and advice on so many difficult issues that we face as mothers. So glad to know I’m not alone and that I’m not losing my mind when I feel so overwhelmed and stretched so thin. Thank you so much! So glad I found you.
I listened to your podcast about pursuing your dreams and this one, both of which reference your very bad day. I know when you’re having a day like that, that you feel like you’re failing. The funny thing is, I am more comforted, encouraged, and inspired by the times that you share these difficult moments with us so bravely, than by the times when you share from a more “together” place (although those are great too). Naomi Judd once said something like, let them see the cracks in your armor; that is how the light gets through. God is able to bring so much good out of our bad when we let him. Your vulnerability encouraged me because I am facing similar challenges, and it also inspired me because I am trying to write a post for my blog about the challenges I am going through, and it’s hard because I like to share the solution (which is a work in progress for me right now) rather than the struggle, and I am learning from you that if I can allow myself to be more open and vulnerable than I generally feel comfortable with, that maybe my words might make a difference in someone else’s life the way your words have in mine. Thank you for always sharing your heart with us!
That means so much. Truly. Thank you for your kind words, Jennifer! Excited about the good you are doing!!
Thanks April! So raw and honest. It brought me to tears because I feel this way SO often. Love your testimony and I feel the same—Heavenly Father has never not been there for me and has given me strength every time I’ve asked. (I should ask more often!) One thing that’s really helping me right now is another wonderful podcast I listen to: Jody Moore’s “Better than happy”. Being able to understand how my brain is working helps me be able to step back and analyze the situation without the guilt that I would otherwise associate with the stressful situations. Thanks for all you gals do. The mark you are making in this world is bigger than you know. Hugs!
Serity, your kind words and support mean so much! I love Jody Moore, too! Having a community of women who are here to support one another is huge. So glad you are a part of this!! xoxo