Hey, moms. We’re exhausted.
Three years ago, the world came to a screeching halt. Overnight, we parents, regardless of our training or paid vocation, were expected to pivot and play teacher, parent, babysitter, nanny, employee, coach, counselor, and therapist — all at once with no breaks or external support. For two-plus years, we have done everything, for everyone, all at once. We’ve been slowly digging out ever since, and life is slowly returning to normal. But moms, we are TIRED.
When life started re-opening and re-starting, it didn’t happen gradually. It went from zero to sixty, and we moms were expected to throw off our sweatpants and jump into eighty thousand programs without blinking an eye. Of course, we were part of the problem as well. We felt like we’d missed out on two years of life, so we tried to make up for lost time. We were so excited to be around people again that we said yes to everything and everyone. Everything, everywhere, all at once, was not just an Oscar award-winning movie; it was our life motto.
And as a result, moms are really, really tired.
And — moment of transparency — do you know what happens when I’m really, really tired?
I get cranky and impatient. And sometimes kind of snappy and short with people.
I’m willing to bet it’s not just me.
Anyone else with me? Anyone else really, really tired? And maybe not behaving your best?
Moms, we regulate and take care of everyone else. It’s now time to take care of ourselves and each other. It’s time to take a really deep breath, and then repeat that several times.
It’s time to HALT — ask, am I hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? What do I need?
It’s time to ask — why am I saying yes (or no) to this?
It’s time to ask, what would it take for me to really rest and regain some of my depleted energy? Is it possible? And what resources would I need to make that happen?
Maybe this is just me, but I need to be reminded that as we exit crisis mode, I must be intentional about reclaiming balance, sanity, and health. For me, and for my family. Can we remind each other of this? Can we give each other grace and space to do so?
Rather than fly off the handle when another mom is exhausted or not her best self, can we gently give each other grace to exhale and remind each other to take care of ourselves? It’s been a really long few years, and we are tired.
Deep breaths.
Intentionality.
Slowdowns.
Rest.
Grace.
