Motherhood is full of surprises. As much as we plan, sometimes life throws curveballs, and all our carefully crafted schedules seem to fall apart. It's perfectly normal to face those moments of overwhelm and uncertainty.
The Reality of When Plans Fall Apart
My recent experience of moving from Switzerland to Australia brought this home home in a big way. Between packing, managing children's emotions, and adjusting to a new environment, I learnt that chaos is part of the journey. The key isn't to have it all under control (our road was certainly bumpy at times!) but to give yourself permission to reset with kindness.
Mindset Shift: Compassion Over Perfection
The first step in any reset is a shift in mindset. Instead of beating yourself up, remind yourself, 'This is temporary', or 'I am doing my best'. Compassionately acknowledging where you are sets a calm foundation to move forward.
Quick Reset Routines to Return to Calm
Here are some actionable routines to help you find calm fast:
- Plan B Prompts: When they day doesn't go as planned, think of a smaller goal or a simpler alternative. For example, if nap time is short (and you were banking on more), choose a quiet activity like reading or drawing.
- Flexible Check-ins: Pause and ask yourself, 'How am I feeling?' and 'What small thing could calm me right now?' Regular check-ins help you adjust gently to the moment.
- Gentle Affirmations: Repeat phrases like 'I am enough/I am doing my best', 'This too shall pass', or 'Calm comes in waves'. These reminders soothe your mind and boost resilience.
Imperfect Progress is Still Progress
I often share how these simple steps help me during overwhelming moments (of which I have had SO many these past month, with our big transition). Progress doesn't mean perfection - it means showing up with grace and learning as you go.
Your Planning Journey
Together with the 'Design Your Day' freebie guide, and the Mama Lifestyle Planner (which is packed with prompts and guides and so much more!), these reset routines create a holistic support system. They help you navigate both intention-filled days and the beautifully chaotic ones.
Stella x
