This may be news to you, but I’m guessing it’s not. Being overwhelmed happens. And maybe you have your own tactics for dealing with those moments when you feel overwhelmed to help you move through and beyond them. But if not, here are four helpful ways I’ve learned to decrease my moments of complete burnout and feelings of overwhelm and help me move forward in a healthy and positive way.

In this culture, we are trained as women to put everyone before us no matter the cost, and that just does not work. Women must break this cycle and start to prioritize their self-care. The connection between our emotional, mental, and physical health is powerful. Our bodies will break down if we do not put healthy boundaries in place, prioritize our self-care and refill our cups– to then fill others in turn. We must care for ourselves and support other women in doing the same. And honestly, all women need to quit believing the lie that this is selfish. 

Isn’t it just time to start feeling better, happier, and more fulfilled?

Well, yes, I think it is! Here are my six revelations and practices that have made my journey to discovering and keeping myself in a state of self-love. I hope these inspire you. 🤍

By no means is this a guide to how to manage your mental health, especially if you suffer from severe depression. But, I have been managing my own struggles with depression for most of my recollected life, and through the highs and the lows (there have been a few), I have learned the recipe that works for me. And, I want to share it with you!

Here are some of the habits and practices I’d like to build In 2023, along with the disclaimer that sometimes I will likely throw all of these out the window and enjoy a burger (lettuce-wrapped) and a glass of wine.

This December, as I reflected on 2022, what I learned from others, what I learned about myself, and what I’d like to take into the new year, I realized that for 2023, there’s a clear set of guidelines I’d like to follow. Here is part one on relationships.

Instead of new year’s resolutions, why not release these five things in the new year?

I spent my fortieth year working through these questions, reframing my goals as a mother, partner, professional, and woman over forty. And I don’t have the answers, to be honest. But, this month, I turned forty-one, and a peace settled over me. Here’s what I realized as I moved from forty to forty-one and am now solidly in my “forties.”

It’s not the end of the world to have a c-section. Here’s why this could be an okay end to your birth story.

I chose to parent, I wanted to be a parent, and my children are lovely, unique (albeit crazy) little humans. For better or worse, I want to be part of their lives. I want to be there for them when they are sad, happy, and all the things in between.

But, some days, weeks, or months just get the best of me. And this last week was one of them. So what should you do when, like me this week, you don't have the energy or desire to be a parent anymore?

After talking myself off the ledge and taking a few deep breaths, I realized there are some things I can do and need to do right now to make sure I can function as a mom -- especially during an emotional crisis.

Parenting can be overwhelming, but there are so many little ways you can be intentional as a new parent, and enjoy more of the moments with your baby and child before they grow up!

Mothers in today's society, at least in the United States, are expected to be there for their children's every need. They also ought to work for personal or financial reasons and take care of all household needs. Of course, there are the outliers. The mom's who work and have a partner at home take care of the family's day-to-day concerns. But in general, women now are expected to take care of everyone and everything but themselves. It's the #Momlife expectation that's, in fact, grinding us all to the bone. And that unrealistic expectation is causing severe burnout and depression across the board.

I've found that where I focus my attention and where I gain attention from are truly interconnected. I recently read a quote from Henry David Thoreau that sums up how I am starting to focus and channel my time, energy, and personal awareness; it goes, "Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." Read the full post on attention-seeking, and how to focus on the right things.

I am most proud of my ability to balance the things that matter to me. I have been able to run and grow my business, be there for my three kids, maintain my friendships and foster new ones, be a loving wife (although sometimes bitchy 😉), take care of my mind and body, read great books, and most importantly, not take life too seriously!

I am incredibly proud of the relationships I have cultivated over the years – the very real and dear friendships I have nurtured. Those relationships never fail to lift me and keep me going. Read the full post.

A nutritional expert, author, and former food and nutrition director at Health Magazine, Frances is no stranger to busy days, working to juggle life, family, and career. You can learn more about Frances on her website, but when we sat down, I became interested in learning more about how health fits into life as we now know it. Read the interview.

As women and men supporting women, we need to normalize the everyday discussions about all aspects of womanhood. As a middle-aged woman, a mother, a business owner, and a wife, I am yearning to foster open communication with my children, friends, and family about womens’ existence.

Instead of resolutions, I believe that you need a plan. And not just any plan, not some loosey-goosey list of high faluting things you’ll never accomplish, or a gushy statement of acceptance that is actually just stunting your growth. I mean a real personal strategic plan that looks at your accomplishments, strengths, weaknesses, and realistic goals for the new year. Will you accomplish all of your pursuits in one year? Likely not, and that’s OKAY! A well-thought-out personal strategic plan isn’t about pressure or dooming yourself for failure; it gives you an incremental path from point A, where you are, to point B, where you want to be. And at the end of this year, if you sit down and create this personal roadmap again for your life, I will bet you that you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come!

At 40-years-old, you can accept that you are worthy of breaking through the surface of your hopes and dreams, and goals. You are worthy of happiness and accomplishment. And guess what?! Other women want to hear about it! You’re not conceded or pompous if you share how you got there, did that, or overcame it. You might just change someone else’s life with your experience and example.

It’s safe to say that the world has changed a lot in the last two years, and many parents are feeling lost about how and when to have tough or uncomfortable conversations with their kiddos about the issues facing families and the world. Tara Miko founded Bright Littles, Convo Cards with the mission of empowering parents to sit down with their children and discuss the topics that matter most to them through conversations prompted by these cards.

I can’t say I’m an expert at the process of making life changes by any means, but as I near the ripe age of 40-years-old (no laughing allowed!), I’ve begun to see some trends in my own life that might help you on your journey as a badass woman looking for that pot-o-gold at the end of the rainbow. You can change your life! Don’t give up yet.