How Much Is Too Much?

I live what most would call a “high-stress, busy life.” But here’s the thing—I never thought of it that way. To me, it’s just… everyday life. Wake up, get the kid ready for school, pack a suitcase and fly out to work. Before I leave for 2-3 days, I have to figure out how to keep the house together, run all the errands, check on family, say yes to a hundred things because “who else will do it?” and then collapse at night only to do it all over again the next day.

Sound familiar?

The problem is, just because we’ve gotten used to carrying the weight doesn’t mean it isn’t heavy. Stress is sneaky. It weaves itself into our routines, disguises itself as “normal,” and before we know it, it’s not just affecting our mental health—it’s taking a toll on our physical health too. I’m not a single mom, and I have a husband that is ready and willing, but I struggle asking for help. Waiting for him to step in and getting mad when he doesn’t just defeats the purpose.

So I had to stop and ask myself: How much is too much? Why did I not just ask for HELP?!

Recognizing the Signs

The truth is, I didn’t even see it as stress. I saw it as life. But my body and my mind started whispering to me: “You can’t keep pouring from an empty cup.” And they were right. When life hits you, It hits you with everything it’s got. Now who do I blame? Do I blame myself when my body decides to sit me down, when I was too busy to make space for me?

I realized that if I keep showing up for everyone but myself, eventually, I’ll have nothing left to give.

My New Plan: Choosing Balance

So here’s where I am right now—not with a perfect solution, but with a commitment to doing better. I’m choosing to prioritize me, and that doesn’t make me selfish. It makes me stronger for my family, my work, and my community.

Here’s what I’m starting with:

Self-Care Rituals – Even if it’s just 10 minutes with my tea before the day starts.

Meditation – Quiet moments to breathe and reset.

Exercise – Moving my body, not just for fitness, but for peace of mind.

Therapy – Because sometimes we need help untangling our thoughts.

Effective Planning – Learning to say no and to schedule rest just like I schedule meetings.

Girls’ Nights – Laughter and connection with friends is medicine for the soul.

The Bigger Picture

Balance doesn’t mean we’ll never feel stress. It means we won’t let it run the show. It means giving ourselves permission to pause, to breathe, to step away, and to refill our own cups without guilt.

Because the truth is, we can’t keep showing up for everyone if we’re not showing up for ourselves.

A Reminder for Every Mom

If you’ve been running on empty, I want you to hear this: You deserve rest. You deserve joy. You deserve to take care of yourself, too.

Let’s stop normalizing burnout and start normalizing balance.

Because we are more than what we do—we are who we are. And we’re worth caring for. 💛