The 10-Minute Habit That Saved This Overwhelmed Mom's Sanity
It's 9 PM.
Kids are finally asleep after three stories, two cups of water, and one meltdown (theirs, not mine... okay, maybe both).
You're exhausted. But your mind? Still racing through tomorrow's to-do list, worrying about whether your quirky kid made friends at recess, and replaying that moment you snapped at bedtime.
Sound familiar?
Here's what changed everything for me: meditation.
I know, I know. You're thinking, "Great, another thing to add to my never-ending list." But hear me out.
From Chaos to Calm (Even with Kids Climbing on Me)
When anxiety hits…I breathe.
It’s my reset button.
Meditation has become my secret weapon in this beautiful chaos called motherhood. It gave me something I never had before: stillness within my own body.
As someone whose mind runs faster than a toddler chasing the dog, meditation was my emergency brake.
Breathwork became my reset button. When life feels like it's spinning out of control - which, let's be real, happens daily - I focus on my breath.
Feeling spent after a long day? I breathe. Anxiety spiraling about why my kids won’t eat their dinner? I breathe. Overwhelmed by the mental load? I breathe.
It's my superpower for healing myself when I'm anxious, sad, or completely disconnected from who I used to be before kids.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Starting
I'll be honest - it was weird at first.
Really weird.
Picture this: sitting still with my eyes closed, listening to my breath go in and out, while my brain bounced around like a pinball machine.
It felt chaotic.
Because there I was, alone with my thoughts and feelings. And sometimes? I didn't like what showed up.
The mom guilt. The worries about being enough. The fear that I was somehow messing up my kids.
But here's what nobody tells you: that discomfort is where the magic happens.
How Meditation Healed This Mama
Meditation became my healing space. Not just for my mind, but my whole self:
My mind found focus and clarity (goodbye, mom brain fog!) My body started healing from the inside out My spirit got renewed daily
My healing journey started in November 2024, and I haven't missed a day since. Even when I don’t “feel” like it…
The Game-Changer: Sleep Meditation
My favorite time to meditate?
Right at bedtime.
This was a total game-changer for my sleep. I used to lie awake at 2 AM, brain spinning with worries about whether my son's social struggles were normal, or if I'd said the right thing to his teacher.
Then I'd wake up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck full of Legos.
Sleep meditation gave me back the rest I desperately needed. Now I actually sleep through the night (revolutionary, I know).🤪
My Go-To App That Actually Works
I use Insight Timer - and no, they're not paying me to say this!
They have hundreds of thousands of meditations to choose from. Guided ones when you need hand-holding. Soothing music when you just need to zone out. Even masterclasses for when you want to level up.
Plus, you can just set a timer and do your own thing. Perfect for us busy moms who need flexibility.
What Meditation Taught This Mama
The lessons have been life-changing:
Compassion (for myself AND my family)
Kindness when things don't go as planned
Stillness in the middle of dinnertime dilemmas
Releasing fears about not being the "perfect" mom
Letting go of those limiting beliefs about what motherhood "should" look like
Your Turn, Mama!
So here's my question for you: Have you given yourself permission to pause today?
Even for 10 minutes?
Your kids need a calm, centered mama more than they need a perfect one. And you deserve that inner peace just as much as they do.
What's one small moment today where you could try focusing on your breath? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!
Want more real talk about motherhood and self-care? Come hang out with me on Instagram where I share real moments of parenting, wellness tips that actually work, and honest conversations about raising quirky kids.
Think of it as your daily dose of "you're not alone in this" with practical ways to nurture yourself that fit real life. I love connecting with fellow mamas - come say hi!
