Let’s face it, being a stay-at-home mom means gaining a front-row seat to every milestone, cuddles on-demand, and endless memories with your little one. But, it also means giving up sleep, quiet time, personal space, hot food/drinks, personal style, and uninterrupted bathroom breaks, TV shows, and conversation. One minute you feel like some sort of supermom or magician, the next minute you feel unmotivated, irritable, and overwhelmed. If any of this sounds like you, don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone! For most of us, it just came with the territory.
However, it’s important for us to remember that as important it is to start strong, it is equally as important to end strong. So, I’ll explore five signs that indicate you’re experiencing stay-at-home mom burnout and provide practical tips to overcome it. My hope is that not only will you have the tools to get over the hurdle, but you will also have the tools to maintain momentum afterwards.
1. Lack of Energy and Motivation
One sign of stay-at-home mom burnout is a lack of energy and motivation. You know, that feeling of just going through the motions of life without actually living it. Yes, that one. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to feel motivated to do something when you’re exhausted all the time. You might even find yourself struggling to get out of bed altogether.
When you’re tired all the time, it can be extremely difficult to perform beyond the bare minimum and complete mundane tasks that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. This can lead to a sense of guilt and shame, as you may feel like you’re not doing enough for your family or yourself. But, give yourself grace. Burnout is real. And it’s perfectly fine to take a step back to recharge your batteries.
To combat a lack of energy and motivation, try incorporating some self-care practices into your daily routine. This could be something as simple as taking a nap when your little ones are asleep or going for a walk outside to get some fresh air. You can also try practicing mindfulness or meditation, which can help you feel more present and relaxed. Find an accountability partner, who can help keep you on track. Break tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and don’t be afraid to leave tasks for another day. Any accomplishment, no matter how small, is a win and should be acknowledged and celebrated.
Remember, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your family. By prioritizing self-care, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of stay-at-home motherhood and avoid burnout.
Below, we’ll explore other symptoms of stay-at-home mom burnout: irritability and anger.
2. Irritability and Anger
It comes as no shock that when you’re feeling burnt out, you may become more irritable and short-tempered. Even the smallest things can set you off. You may find yourself snapping at your spouse, children, or even strangers over the smallest annoyances or inconveniences. You may even find yourself quick to point out faults or shortcomings rather than strengths and accomplishments.
Giving “negative Nancy” and “misery loves company” for sure!
But don’t ignore these signs. It can be indicating that you’re not taking care of yourself. When we’re exhausted and overwhelmed, our emotional resilience is low and it’s easier to become triggered and reactive.
If you’re struggling with irritability and anger, it’s important to recognize it and address it. Prioritizing self-care, as mentioned in the previous section, can help you build up your reserves so that you’re better equipped to handle stressful situations without losing your cool.
Next, we’ll explore another common sign of stay-at-home mom burnout: a lack of interest in things you used to enjoy.
3. Lack of Interest in Things You Used to Enjoy
A lack of interest in things that used to bring joy and fulfillment is a telltale sign of stay-at-home mom burnout. Perhaps you had a hobby you absolutely loved doing at one time, but now the mere thought of doing it makes you want to crawl back into bed. With all of your competing demands, it may even start to feel like everything is a chore, even dragging yourself out of bed in the morning. It’s normal to go through phases where our interests change, but if you’re consistently disinterested in things that used to make you happy, it’s time to take a closer look at what’s going on.
Burnout can lead to a loss of passion and energy, making it difficult to motivate yourself to pursue hobbies or activities that require any kind of effort. But, as I’ve mentioned earlier, it’s important to give yourself grace and acknowledge that something isn’t right.
Identifying the root cause of your lack of interest can be challenging, but it’s worth exploring. Are you feeling overwhelmed by your daily responsibilities? Are you bored and unchallenged by your routine? Are you struggling with feelings of isolation or loneliness? Once you’ve pinpointed the source of the problem, you can begin to take action to reignite your passions and interests.
In the next section, we’ll look at another common symptom of stay-at-home mom burnout: difficulty sleeping.
4. Difficulty Sleeping
Another common symptom of stay-at-home mom burnout is difficulty sleeping. It’s not uncommon to experience racing thoughts, anxiety, and restlessness when you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or unfulfilled. Maybe you lie awake at night, replaying the day’s events in your mind or worrying about the constant never-ending re-do list that requires your daily attention or future tasks or engagements that you have yet to prepare for. Or, perhaps although you have managed to fall asleep, you struggle to stay asleep, leaving you feeling exhausted and irritable throughout the day.
Feeling overwhelmed and stressed can exacerbate these sleep issues, creating a vicious cycle of burnout that’s tough to break. It’s important to address both the physical and emotional aspects of your sleep troubles, which may include practicing relaxation techniques, creating a calming bedtime routine, establishing a structured schedule/routine, and seeking support from loved ones or professionals.
In the following section, we’ll delve deeper into the feelings of overwhelm and stress that can contribute to stay-at-home mom burnout.
5. Feeling Overwhelmed and Stressed
Feeling overwhelmed and stressed can be both a symptom and a cause of stay-at-home mom burnout. When you are responsible for managing a household and caring for children, it’s natural to feel like you are constantly juggling too many things at once. Add in the endless demands of social media, parenting forums, and other sources of pressure to be the “perfect mom,” and it’s easy to see why you might feel like you’re constantly running on empty.
One of the biggest challenges of feeling overwhelmed and stressed as a stay-at-home mom is that it can be hard to articulate exactly what’s wrong. You might find yourself feeling like you’re just “not cut out” for this role or like you’re constantly falling short of your own expectations. This negative self-talk can make it even harder to break out of the cycle of burnout.
However, it’s important to recognize that feeling overwhelmed and stressed is not a personal failure. It’s a natural response to a challenging situation. By taking steps to address the underlying causes of your burnout, you can start to regain your sense of control and balance. Also, by asking for help, you can start to regain your time as well.
Things To Remember
Remember, burnout is not a permanent state. With time and effort, you can find your way back to a place of balance and fulfillment. Lack of energy and interests, irritability, difficulty sleeping, feeling overwhelmed and stressed are all common symptoms. However, there are ways to overcome burnout. Taking breaks, practicing relaxation, creating calming bedtime routines, setting boundaries, seeking support, and prioritizing self-care can all make a big difference. Remember that you’re doing important work and it’s okay to ask for help and take care of yourself too. Depending on how excessive your symptoms may be, you may even find it beneficial to seek professional therapy or counseling.
As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” So take care of yourself, so you’ll be better equipped to take care of your family.
