You’re not lazy. You’re overwhelmed.

When you’re burned out, running on low energy, and stretched thin, you don’t need a big transformation—you need gentle tools that meet you where you are.

Here are the low-energy coping tools I reach for on the days when I just. can’t. even.

1. The One-Minute Reset

When you can’t find peace, create a pause.

• Step into another room (even the bathroom)
• Set a 1-minute timer
• Close your eyes. Breathe deep, slow, and intentional.
• Whisper: “I am safe. I am enough. This moment will pass.”

It’s simple, but it can help regulate your nervous system and bring you back into your body.

2. Ground Through the Senses

When everything feels like too much, come back to what you can touch, taste, hear, see, smell.

• Wrap up in a soft blanket
• Sip something warm
• Light a candle or essential oil
• Play calming instrumental music
• Hold a cold spoon or splash your face with water

Your body will believe it’s okay—before your mind catches up.

3. The “Good Enough” List

Forget the to-do list that overwhelms you. Make a new one:

• Feed everyone something
• Keep everyone safe
• Take care of yourself in one small way

If you do only those things, that’s still a win.

4. Lay on the Floor (Yes, Really)

Sometimes your body needs to surrender.

Lay flat on your back, arms stretched out. Let your body feel supported by the ground.
Breathe. Let the earth hold you. No expectations, no productivity—just rest.

5. Text a Friend Without Needing a Response

Send a message like:

“Hey, I’m having a hard day. Don’t need anything, just needed someone to know.”

Being witnessed—even silently—is healing.

6. Let the Kids Watch a Movie Without Guilt

Screen time isn’t failure.
Screen time can be a bridge between chaos and calm. You can take 90 minutes to recharge and still be a deeply loving, intentional mom.

7. Choose One Nourishing Thing (and Make it Easy)

Nourishment doesn’t mean kale and journaling (unless that helps).

It can be:

• A protein bar and a glass of water
• Sitting in the sunlight for 5 minutes
• Wrapping yourself in your favorite hoodie
• Letting yourself cry
  You matter too. Especially on the hard days.

You Don’t Have to Be “On” All the Time

The world tells moms to be everything, every day.
But I’m here to say: You’re allowed to fall apart. You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to just survive the day.

Low energy doesn’t mean low worth.
Rest isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

Gentle Reminder:
“I don’t have to do it all. I just have to take the next kind step toward myself.”

The post Low-Energy Coping Tools for High-Stress Days appeared first on moms chaos corner.

While I’m no expert and organizing, I have found multiple ways to get the house where it should be

It always seems to be a constant battle to make your living room and kitchen at least look decent, along with the bathroom

Everyone that’s a parent knows what it’s like to struggle with getting everything organized without it looking tacky, we all still feel obligated to make our space look exceptional

The psychology of this seems to make us all believe we still need to strive for perfection for sanity and for feeling like you are successful and confident

So, how does one accomplish this without going bankrupt?

Let’s look at 100 affordable products to organize your life

This post contains affiliate links, if you choose to purchase an item using the following links, I may receive a small portion of the sale at no cost to you. Thank you!

If you are interested in viewing the product just click the highlighted word or link of the item you like and it will take you to the direct link of the product.

Thank you so much, and enjoy!

Organizing the kitchen

1. Over the door organizer

This handy item holds things like cutting boards or baking pans 

Nothing is worse than fumbling and dropping pans trying to get to the one you need.

2. Tupperware lid organizer

The well-known struggle across many households, organizing that Tupperware

… well, the lids anyway

This solves that problem

3. handy broom/mop holder

Hands down, one of my favorite items for keeping my kitchen organized

This eliminates the need for the messy broom, mop, and duster corner

4. kitchen sink caddy

Keeping all your sponges and brushes within reach without it looking tacky has never been easier

No more reaching under the sink and going back and forth to get what you need

5. spice rack

probably not the typical spice rack you’re used to seeing

This one is perfect for the cabinet when you have overflow and back stock of spices

6. drawer organizer

While this may not be perfect for forks, spoons, etc, it works well for other kitchen items 

This is best for measuring spoons, smaller kitchen tools, and thermometers

7. Corner organizer

for the small corners of the kitchen where you need to store, but are trying to prevent the area from being overly cluttered

8. Under sink organization

for the oddball items that need a place to set

perfect for the sponges, rinse aid, and other cleaners

9. grocery bag sock

For all the grocery bags you get from your store runs

Finally, a place to keep them, and it looks great

10. storing aluminum foil and Saran Wrap

Keep your saran wrap and foil all together and organized 

Organizing the bathroom

1. bathroom storage

perfect for the bathroom that doesn’t have very many places to store stuff and not much space to put shelving systems

2. makeup organizer

Whether you have a lot of makeup or minimal amounts, this container is perfect for keeping your cosmetics and skin care in

3. Unique toothbrush and toothpaste holder

Keep your toothbrush and paste in their spot without the tacky cup they usually sit in

4. Brush and styling tool holder

eliminate the corded mess under the sink by getting this nifty item that keeps them in one spot

5. toilet paper holder and storage

Probably one of my favorites, this handy accessory holds current-use toilet paper and a few extras 

6. floating shelves

Another space-saving method to keep the counters decluttered and keep everything organized

7. Corner caddy for shower

Drill-free and space-friendly, keeps all your shower items in one place, other than the floor or the edge

8. classy over toilet storage

Instead of the typical metal frame, this classy choice stores items out of sight and a spot for the stuff you want in sight

organizing the closet(s)

1. Special hangers for pants or scarves

Get the most out of your closet with these hangers

2. Keep your undergarments completely organized

This nifty thing keeps your bras, underwear, and socks all neat

3. Space savers for hanging clothes

a unique hanger that holds multiple hangers and folds down to create more space without wrinkling up your shirts

4. scarf hanger

Keep all the scarves or ties organized and easy to find without taking up a bunch of space

5. Unique jewelry storage

If you don’t have the space or money for a jewelry box, this is an affordable alternative

6. shoe storage

Keep all your shoes organized and accessible with this shelf rather than putting them all in a corner on each other

7. Total closet makeover

completely do over your closet to make the most of the space you have to work with

8. The perfect purse organizer

Rather than a bag in a bag or a shelf stuffed with bags, this hanger keeps them all accessible and less of a clutter

9. Weekly organizer

perfect for kids and getting designated outfits for the week

10. stackable storage

Keep the less-used clothing in a place where they are easy to get to but out of the way

Living room organizing

1. Corner shelf

Keep your small knick-knacks and plants in their spot in style

2. Unique corner shelf

a unique alternative to typical wall or corner shelves 

3. mail and key holder

Keep all the keys in one place, and mail that needs attention or is mailed out

4. shoe and bench combination

perfect for by the door when you take your shoes off and a place to put your shoes

5. two in one lamp

eliminate the struggle to plug devices in while having the lamp on

6. caddy for remotes/accessories

keep all the remotes and tablets in one place so they don’t get lost

7. ottoman perfect for storage and comfort

the perfect way to store those living room blankets and double as a bench or foot rest 

8. floating wall shelves 

store books and other displayed art without taking up floor space

9. unique storage cube shelf

from decorations to cube storage bins to keep everything in order and off the floor 

10. end table with storage

this contemporary peice makes the perfect addition to the living room while being functional

organizing the refrigerator

1. stackable storage

keep your produce and smaller items organized without taking up drawer space

2. soda can holder

toss the cardboard box and keep your cans in view and easy to get to

3. roll out under shelf drawer

make additional storage in your fridge with these drawers

4. washable fridge mats

forget pulling the shelves out to clean off the residue from the milk or other items in the fridge 

5. slide out sandwich bag organizer

keep all the bagged sandwiches and other items in baggies off the shelf and out of the way

6. fridge storage containers with handles

save space and make items easy to get to in your fridge or cabinet

7. Avocado Saver

Keep your avocados fresher longer with this container

8. Wine storage

keep your wine in it’s corner without hogging fridge space

9. egg storage for lots of eggs

If your house is like mine, and you go through eggs like crazy, this container keeps 40 eggs

10. Lazy Susan for the fridge

This turntable is perfect for the bottled condiments that don’t fit in the fridge door

Laundry room organizing

1. Cleaning supplies storage

 My favorite organizer for the laundry room

Keep your brooms, dusters, and mops all in one place, out of the way

2. Rollaway supply cart

Keep your chemicals out of sight and organized in a cubby, but still easy to access and put away

3. Laundry sorting cart

Keep laundry separated and off the floor with this handy cart

4. Tidy Laundry Liquid Gadget

prevent those pesky laundry soap messes from the extra liquid dripping after use

5. Over the door iron and ironing board hook

Keep your iron and board out of sight and out of the way with this hook

6. Sneaker wash bag

a unique way to wash and dry your sneakers without tearing up your shoes or appliances

7. hanging lint bin 

Perfect for the tiny laundry room, so you can toss your lint and save space by avoiding a trash can for the laundry room

8. grocery bag storage

Typically, grocery bags are stored in the laundry room in my house. This container keeps the bags under control and out of the way

9. Collapsible laundry basket

This innovative piece makes figuring out a way to store laundry baskets a thing of the past neatly

10. color sort basket

Simplify the process of separating laundry, and ensure everyone in the house is on board with dividing different shades of laundry 

Remote learning/ office area

1. desktop organizer

Keep all desktop supplies in one space while keeping them organized

2. drawer organizer

for the extra pencils, staples, and supplies that you don’t want to keep out in view

3. Another desktop organizer

Multiple styles of paper and supply storage

4. shelf/cubby for desktop

Keep books and smaller objects organized and out of the way

5. Paper and supply storage

for all the bills, school paperwork, and other important documents in sight and order

6. Rotating writing instrument organizer

Keep all the markers, highlighters, pencils, and pens in an orderly fashion

7. Calendar for the week

With the increase in remote at-home learning, having a clear plan and a calendar is a must

8. daily calendar and pen holder

multipurpose object that helps with recognizing dates and holds writing supplies

9. A colorful caddy

A bright way to keep supplies organized 

10. desktop board

perfect for practicing writing or writing a message

Toy organization and storage

1. open concept storage

a fun, easy way to keep toys where they belong

2. a fast, clean, and store

End the battle of trying to find and pick up tiny toys like Legos

3. Simple book storage

Forget the big bookcase, this organizer keeps the books in one easy-to-reach space for putting away and grabbing

4. stuffed animal corner hammock

perfect for the kids who have insane amounts of 

5. hanging organizer

Keep clothes, diapers, or stuffed animals in this hanging organizer

6. toy box/bench

This nifty box also doubles as a bench for their rooms

7. corner cubby shelf

for books, storage cubes, or little decor 

8. Simple storage

stylish yet simple for toys or laundry

9. Bath toy storage

Keep all the bath toys out of the way and avoid mold growth by allowing them to naturally dry. 

10. drawer/shelf storage

perfect for clothes or toys, or both!

Organizing the garage

1. Storage shelves

simple, effective way to store shoes, outdoor toys, and anything else

2. Garage hooks

from rakes, to shovels, to umbrellas, keep them off the floor and out of the way

3. Strap for cords and hoses

Forget the coiled mess of cords and hoses, wrap them and hang them

4. Heavy-duty wall rack

for folding chairs and other items that need to be out of the way

5. Storage for sports items

Perfect for the family that enjoys sports and has a lot of equipment

6. Extra large rack for rakes, etc.

more storage for rakes, brooms, brushes, and more

7. hanging cord straps

great for the household with a lot of extension cords or light strips

8. bike rack

stores up to five bikes on the wall

9. rolling storage

This works best for mini projects when you need to roll tools around with you

10. magnetic tool bar

great for quick storage for frequently used tools

https://amzn.to/3TmkpRa

Bill and Mail storage

1. mail organizer for bills and other stuff

extra storage for postage and envelopes

https://amzn.to/4nrMLXX

2. Hanging mail and key shelf

perfect for hanging close to the door so you don’t forget stuff that needs mailed out

https://amzn.to/44JdGa6

3. Rustic styled hanging wall shelf

another take on the wall hanging mail/key sorter

https://amzn.to/4evwsoZ

4. Mail/ key sorter plus message board

https://amzn.to/3I93i2K

For easy reminders as you leave the house

5. budget and bill tracker

https://amzn.to/44fbGX2

keep your budget and bills at a glance

6.Bill envelope system

https://amzn.to/46oAc9y

Ideal for setting money aside for bills

7. hanging file/mail/key organizer

https://amzn.to/4l4XvtD

an alternative to the desktop file organizers

8. single tier mail holder

https://amzn.to/4kr6dBj

a simple solution for mail and keys

9. hanging file holder

https://amzn.to/4ltTkr8

this hanger works best for larger files and mail

10. simple counter top organizer

https://amzn.to/4l3atYO

an all in one organizer for your mail area

Wrap up

I’m impressed if you made it all the way to the bottom, 100 is truly alot. 

I hope you found this helpful and resourceful. 

Feel free to share on your favorite social channel.

Talk soon

The post 100 products to organize your home appeared first on moms chaos corner.

As a mom of three, I heavily rely on my planner and phone calendar

Being organized is essential for not forgetting or missing anything important

Some days feel like a whirlwind with everything going on, including what needs to be done

Do planners really increase productivity?

Yes!!

Having a planner absolutely increases productivity by creating a physical to-do list for your day or week with a structured reference

By attempting to rely on my phone alone, I found it’s not as easy to reference as a physical planner

While everyone has a preference and a method, I have found that a daily planner makes it easier to plan and fulfill goals as well as tasks

Do planners help?

Yes, especially being a busy parent, a planner is a must for keeping track of everything from appointments to tasks, and goals.

Planners also show what you can or can’t accomplish, making future planning easier and more organized

How planners increase productivity

Having a planner to organize your day and thoughts is essential to being organized in general

On top of that, it’s a sanity saver!

Easy reference for what needs to be done

Rather than trying to remember what you need to do, peeking at your planner gives you insight

It’s far easier to look at a paper rather than digging into your brain on what needs to be done

Planning your days ahead

Kind of like a doctor’s office and how they fill their schedule based on slots, you can plan accordingly with a lower risk of tasks overlapping

It’s easier to fill in your week by level of importance and keeping note of current commitments, especially those last-minute pop-ups

Prevents overloading yourself

While it’s easy to say “Sure, I can squeeze that in somewhere”, then panic later when you realize you overcommitted yourself

With a planner to glance at, you can see what will fit in your schedule and what will not

Fulfillment

Having a planner and identifying your goals and daily accomplishments gives a sense of fulfillment

What can I use a planner for to be more productive

Planners are very versatile; you can make it your own to fit your lifestyle

From bills to appointments, planners are your ultimate tool for staying organized

Schedule tracking

Keeping your work schedule right at the top of your planner helps you figure out what you can commit to

It’s also easier to see when you work and what days can be spent doing larger tasks

Pay schedule

On top of adding my work hours, typically, I’ll put what days are payday for bill payments

Bill due dates

Alongside determining when you get paid, keeping track of your due dates keeps you from forgetting a bill

Appointments

Writing in my appointments keeps me on track for when I need to go to the doctor or any other scheduled appointments I commit to

Goals

Using the notes corner of your planner for setting goals for the week can assist in achieving more than you originally anticipated

What types of planners are best to use?

Hourly planner

These planners are best for hour-by-hour planning

Usually used by anyone with more than a few appointments a day.

Weekly planner

Probably the most commonly used planner, alongside the hourly, is the weekly planner

This planner is perfect for a basic appointment and other types of important date tracking

Productivity planner

These planners are more in-depth, almost like a positivity planner for keeping track of everything.

From your day to your mind, this one has it covered

More options

I hope you found this post helpful. Please share!

The post How planners increase productivity appeared first on moms chaos corner.

Over the last 9 years I’ve taught all three kids that you always have to exchange something to get what you want in return.

so we go to work as adults in turn for money to get what we want and pay bills.

ive always been a fan of “trading” something with the kids when they want something, because that’s just how the world works anyway

With the kids being older now, 18, 16, & 9, they are all well-versed with my bargaining

whenever they want money, a gift card, or anything that’s outside the normal they will ask what they can do to earn it or I’ll offer something so I can get a break from some chore around the house since I work 6 days a week currently and my husband 2 jobs.

While it’s not always successful, generally, all parties benefit from this approach. The kids get what they want, and we get something done that we didn’t have time to do

I wouldn’t say it’s foolproof, but it makes things easier, plus they know they have to do something in exchange for what they want

what are some ways you had winning moments as a parents?

The post ways I am preparing my kids for real life appeared first on moms chaos corner.

Something I’ve struggled with and continue to learn as a parent, and in general. Boundaries are not selfish, they’re a form of self love.

What Are Boundaries, Really?

Boundaries are limits you set to protect your time, energy, and emotional well-being. They’re not walls to keep people out—they’re bridges to healthier relationships.

A boundary can be:

• Saying no to extra commitments when your plate is already full.
• Taking 20 minutes a day just for you, without guilt.
• Asking for help when you’re overwhelmed.
• Not answering work messages during dinner.
• Saying, “I’m not okay with that” and meaning it.

Why Moms Struggle With Boundaries

We’ve been taught that “good moms” do everything for everyone. That love is self-sacrifice. That rest is a reward instead of a right. But constantly giving without limits leads to resentment, burnout, and disconnection from ourselves and from others.

And let’s be real: your kids don’t need a perfect, always-available mom. They need a healthy, present mom.

Boundaries Are a Radical Act of Self-Love

When you set boundaries, you’re saying:

“I matter too.”

“My needs are valid.”

“I love myself enough to protect my peace.”

It’s not about pushing people away—it’s about making space for you in your own life. When you model healthy boundaries, your kids learn it’s okay to protect their own needs too.

How to Start Setting Loving Boundaries

If you’re new to this, start small:

1. Check in with yourself

Ask: What’s draining me lately? What do I keep saying yes to out of guilt?

2. Pick one area to start

Maybe it’s turning off notifications after 8 pm. Or saying no to one extra obligation this week.

3. Use kind but firm language

You don’t need a long explanation. Try:

• “Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m not available.”
• “I need time to rest tonight, so I’m going to sit this one out.”
• “Let’s talk about that when the kids are in bed—I need to focus right now.”

4. Expect resistance—but hold steady

People may push back. That’s okay. Your job isn’t to please everyone. It’s to honor yourself.

Final Thought

You’re not a bad mom for having limits. You’re a better mom when you take care of your own well-being. Setting boundaries isn’t about building walls—it’s about building a life where your needs matter too.

And that, mama, is what love looks like.

The post How setting boundaries is a form of (self) love appeared first on moms chaos corner.

PTSD happens in many different ways, such as traumatic events. These can be like any of the following:

• car accidents
• birth
• major injuries
• death of a loved one
• loss of an animal
• sexual assault
• rape
• sexual abuse
• domestic violence
• neglect as a child
• homelessness
• war overseas(military)
• verbal abuse
• violence in general

There are more, these are just the most common

PTSD doesn’t just affect veterans

It affects more of the population than anyone realizes

What does life look like for someone with PTSD

Depending on the level of trauma, typically higher anxiety and depression

Guilt– Even if they are not in the wrong, guilt will weigh heavily if something goes wrong

Anxiety– can be from large groups of people, or a current situation, sometimes this is a daily occurrence and always be anxious about something going wrong

Depression- a lot of the time with depression, we tend to feel like we are a failure, and when things don’t go right it makes us feel worse and about the size of a grain of salt

Triggers– usually caused by anything recognized by the 5 senses that takes them to a time that was a traumatic experience to them

Insomnia– With heightened levels of anxiety, it becomes hard to sleep with constant thinking

A different perspective than most

Once experiencing something traumatic, you tend to think deeper about everything

It’s more difficult to take things with a grain of salt, everything you hear is processed on a deeper level

At the same time, it makes you stronger, more resilient to life’s punches

Sometimes, with living with PTSD, it makes trusting and loving even more difficult, especially if someone close to you causes or contributed to the trauma

The healing process

Healing from any sort of trauma can be difficult and always takes time

There is no good way to gauge how long it takes to heal, honestly, that is left to the mind of the person

The time it takes to recover from trauma, which has different stages is not voluntary

There is no expert that can tell you exactly how long it takes, nor what works for each individual person

This much I know, after getting professional help for the last 5-6 years, they can guess, they give you temporary bandaids like medication to help you in the meantime

Medications have proved helpful, once I found the one that worked best for me

They do the best they can, every situation is different and no matter how many workbooks you do, your body and mind has to heal on it’s own time

There are also different factors that apply to the recovery, such as age it happened, seriousness of the traumatic event and level of damage it causes mentally or physically

The best thing i have found is to either block it out and move forward, accept what happened and make a change to your life that eliminates the possibility of a reoccurance, and confiding in a trustworthy person

Personally, I find it difficult to work with a counselor, i have yet to have a single consistent counselor, even for my (step)children

The body and mind heals itsself over time in it’s own ways, the best way to help is find someone you can trust to talk to, remove yourself far from where it happened, and give yourself the grace to heal, in a healthy way

Try not to let depression eat you alive, and find happiness where you can

Those with PTSD tend to be harder on themselves, and need support

Professional help is great, but the real support comes from your family, whether its your mom or your spouse

It’s important to have a lifeline of support when you need it

As a person with different types of trauma (car accident, rape, sexual abuse, recovering addict) I have found support on the home front is the most important thing

With all the bad life deals, there are days that are so depressing it’s hard to leave bed, let alone wake up

Yes, even with children

It doesn’t mean I don’t love them

My own brain, tends to occasionally go into shut down mode from trying to rest to where I could sleep for 24 hours and still be exhausted

There is a guilt carried, even though I’m not at fault for the trauma i’ve been dealt, I tend to wonder what I could have done to prevent it and I carry guilt

How can you help a person with PTSD?

• Let them know you’re there to hear them out and help
• Offer to help with daily tasks if you can
• Check in on them occasionally
• Let them know they are important
• Tell them they are loved

While these are a few things, these types of things are huge to people who struggle with everyday life

Sometimes there are days where it feels like an internal battle to leave the bed or take a shower

Doing some of these things for someone with trauma can make a huge difference.

I hope you found this post helpful and I would love to hear your story, because life is tough and the world is too.

Feel free to email me or connect on social media

The post life of moms with ptsd appeared first on moms chaos corner.

Where the Pressure Comes From

“I just want to get it right.”
That’s what I whispered to myself after snapping at my kid for the third time that morning. I was running on two hours of sleep, guilt, and coffee—and none of it was enough. In that moment, I felt like I had failed. Again.

But somewhere between the laundry piles, forgotten permission slips, and yet another tantrum in Target, I started to realize something:
Trying to be the perfect mom was slowly breaking me.

Where the Pressure Comes From

Perfection in motherhood isn’t just a personal goal—it’s a cultural obsession.

We see it on Instagram: color-coordinated meals, clean playrooms, smiling kids in matching outfits. We hear it in unsolicited advice: “You should really…” or “When I was raising my kids…” Even in our own minds, the echo of unrealistic expectations rings loud. For many of us, perfectionism is rooted deep—from childhood, trauma, or just a desire to give our kids the best.

But here’s the hard truth: Perfection is a moving target, and we’re the ones getting hurt trying to chase it.

The Cost of Perfectionism

The quest to be a “perfect” mom comes at a price:

• Constant burnout from doing it all and never feeling like it’s enough
• Anxiety and guilt over every decision, from screen time to snack choices
• Emotional distance from our kids when we’re more focused on outcomes than connection
• A harmful message that says love must be earned by doing everything “right”

Worse, our children start to absorb the same pressure. They learn that love is conditional, that mistakes aren’t safe, and that being vulnerable isn’t okay.

That’s not the legacy we want to leave.

Choosing Presence Over Perfection

So what if we stopped aiming for perfect—and started aiming for real?

Letting go doesn’t mean not caring. It means loosening our grip so we can hold space for what really matters. Things like…

• Laughter over a messy kitchen
• Saying “I’m sorry” when we lose it
• Creating safe spaces where emotions are allowed, not punished
• Being a soft place to land—not a checklist to complete

Kids don’t need perfection.
They need presence.
They need love that shows up messy, tired, and still trying.

What Letting Go Looks Like (For Me)

It looks like saying “no” without guilt.
It looks like skipping bath night and choosing cuddles instead.
It looks like crying in the bathroom, then taking a deep breath and starting fresh.
It looks like showing my children that failure is not the end—it’s part of the process.

Some days I still fall back into old patterns. But now, I notice. I pause. I remind myself: I’m not raising perfect kids, and I’m not meant to be a perfect mom.

I’m raising humans. And I’m human, too.

You Are Already Enough

So to the mama reading this and wondering if she’s doing enough—
You are.

You are showing up in love. You are trying. You are growing. That’s what matters. Let the rest fall away.

Affirmation for Today:
“I release the need to be perfect. I choose grace, presence, and love instead.”

The post Letting Go of Perfection in Parenting appeared first on moms chaos corner.

Depending on the level of trauma, typically higher anxiety and depression

Guilt– Even if they are not in the wrong, guilt will weigh heavily if something goes wrong

Anxiety– can be from large groups of people or a current situation; sometimes this is a daily occurrence and always be anxious about something going wrong

Depression- a lot of the time with depression, we tend to feel like we are a failure, and when things don’t go right, it makes us feel worse and about the size of a grain of salt

Triggers– usually caused by anything recognized by the 5 senses that takes them to a time that was a traumatic experience to them

Insomnia– With heightened levels of anxiety, it becomes hard to sleep with constant thinking

A different perspective than most

Once experiencing something traumatic, you tend to think deeper about everything

It’s more difficult to take things with a grain of salt; everything you hear is processed on a deeper level

At the same time, it makes you stronger, more resilient to life’s punches

Sometimes, living with ptsd makes trusting and loving even more difficult, especially if someone close to you caused or contributed to the trauma

The healing process

Healing from any sort of trauma can be difficult and always takes time

There is no good way to gauge how long it takes to heal, honestly; that is left to the mind of the person

The time it takes to recover from trauma, which has different stages is not voluntary

There is no expert that can tell you exactly how long it takes, nor what works for each individual person

This much I know, after getting professional help for the last 5-6 years, they can guess, they give you temporary band-aids like medication to help you in the meantime

Medications have proved helpful once I found the one that worked best for me

They do the best they can, every situation is different, and no matter how many workbooks you do, your body and mind have to heal on their own time

There are also different factors that apply to the recovery, such as age it happened, seriousness of the traumatic event, and level of damage it causes mentally or physically

The best thing I have found is to either block it out and move forward, accept what happened and make a change to your life that eliminates the possibility of a reoccurrence, or confiding in a trustworthy person

Personally, I find it difficult to work with a counselor. i have yet to have a single consistent counselor, even for my (step)children

The body and mind heal themselves over time in their own ways. The best way to help is to find someone you can trust to talk to, remove yourself far from where it happened, and give yourself the grace to heal in a healthy way

Try not to let depression eat you alive, and find happiness where you can

Those with PTSD tend to be harder on themselves and need support

Professional help is great, but the real support comes from your family, whether it’s your mom or your spouse

It’s important to have a lifeline of support when you need it

As a person with different types of trauma (car accident, rape, sexual abuse, recovering addict) I have found support on the home front is the most important thing

With all the bad life deals, there are days that are so depressing it’s hard to leave bed, let alone wake up

Yes, even with children

It doesn’t mean I don’t love them

My own brain tends to occasionally go into shut down mode from trying to rest to where I could sleep for 24 hours and still be exhausted

There is a guilt carried, even though I’m not at fault for the trauma I’ve been dealt, I tend to wonder what I could have done to prevent it and I carry guilt

How can you help a person with PTSD?

• Let them know you’re there to hear them out and help
• Offer to help with daily tasks if you can
• Check in on them occasionally
• Let them know they are important
• Tell them they are loved

While these are a few things, these types of things are huge to people who struggle with everyday life

Sometimes, there are days where it feels like an internal battle to leave the bed or take a shower

Doing some of these things for someone with trauma can make a huge difference.

I hope you found this post helpful and I would love to hear your story, because life is tough and the world is too.

The post Coping with PTSD: Tips for Support and Healing appeared first on moms chaos corner.

Who has time for that?

How could one possibly take care of oneself while being busy 24/7 with kids?

I get it, nail salons are expensive.

I’m not saying go to a salon every week or anything like that

What I am saying is to start small and remember you can’t pour from an empty cup

It can be difficult to focus on you when you brought other humans in this world

It’s time to stop feeling guilty for doing what you should be doing

Taking care of you

Self-care = health

How is it possible that they are correlated?

Whether you realize it or not, kids can cause some serious anxiety and stress

Lack of self-care affects physical health

Not relieving that stress causes numerous health issues with heart and general health after some time

I’m not a dietician by any means, but living in constant stress makes for a lot of appetite and weight changes

Stress even affects your oral health as well as your eating habits

Lack of self-care affects mental health

As a parent of three, with my own trauma and two of the children having trauma from before they were in my care, mental health is a huge part of my household

When I don’t care for myself, there are times I skip showers, don’t eat, oversleep, and don’t hydrate at all

Anything that involves depriving myself worsens my depression and anxiety, along with irritability

The days you decide to not eat normally, or shower and let things slide over and over, you start to become irritable

All of this trinkles into being unmotivated and sliding further into depression and irritability

There are a few times a week this still happens

My life is overwhelming since my husband works long hours, and the kids are home during quarantine, making things harder

Lack of self-care affects emotional health

This goes back to mental health

Lack of self care induces depression and irritability followed by guilt

The depression leads further into not wanting to do things or leaving bed

Even being medicated, there are weeks like this

Where to start

It can be difficult to know where to start

it seems like most advice encourages going out or going to a salon

While this can be helpful, not everyone is in a position to do these things

Take a minute for yourself and indulge

It is okay to lock the door while you use the bathroom or shower

typically 10-20 minutes will not cause your children harm

sneak away and eat the chocolate you’ve been hiding

Put on a little makeup, I know it makes me feel better

Bonus points if you can get away for a bath

Start a routine

Figure out a routine that includes something you do for yourself for a few minutes

something like washing your face when you get out of bed

maybe brewing coffee and making breakfast for you and your kid(s) even if its just eggs and toast

Finish your day with a face mask or painting your toenails

Keep track

Have a little journal to log what you accomplished for you that day

or even try to schedule out your days with what you would like to do

This journal can be a memo pad

It’s for you, not appointments, not a planner

just a mini book dedicated to you

How to fit it into the mom life

It can be daunting to try to squeeze another thing into the schedule

It is possible to make a few minutes a day to you

Start small

Start with washing your face in the morning

taking a shower alone

sneaking in that chocolate

a glass of wine you enjoy

A few chapters of a book

Include the kiddos

It can be hard to fit anything in the schedule, especially if you are alone most of the time, like me

Paint your toes and your little ones

Have them put cucumbers on their eyes while you wear a face mask

Self-care and mom life do mix (and is necessary)

I know it can seem like a crazy thing to dedicate time to you

mom life seems to have a stereotype of constant dedication to your kids, but it’s not true

The post How to Incorporate Self-Care into Mom Life appeared first on moms chaos corner.

No matter how many parenting books get published there will never be one that has the answer for it all.

At the end of the day, they look up to YOU.

How does one cope?

Especially if your like me and go from new mom of one to mom of three.

It’s kind of like if motherhood was a semi and you are standing in the middle of the interstate.

BAM

It hits you and you can’t even process what happened or what to do

You just roll with it, am I right?

So what do you do to avoid admitting yourself to a hospital for overload and worry about your partner surviving with the kids?

I have been there, I did that.

It sucks and puts a permanent scar on your record just for the sake of getting away.

So, how do you proceed and handle motherhood when it becomes unbearable?

Take a moment for you

Yes, I said it, take that moment.

Even if it’s on the toilet breathing the moment of silence you get.

Take that extra couple minutes in the shower to let the water cascade over you.

Let the sounds of the water running be all you hear.

Have that moment in the car before you go inside to take that breath.

I understand there are priceless moments at stake in motherhood, but it’s worse if you miss many instead of a few for the sake of sanity.

You’re not invincible, you’re not superwoman as much as you want to be, you still have human needs.

Reach out

Oh god, the forbidden word for many, help.

What will they think of me asking for help?

Nothing, and if they do, they should probably not be around you.

The people anyone would typically reach out to for help are the ones who had to deal with it themselves and know that head-underwater feeling.

It’s easy to drown in motherhood, and it swallows you whole.

As bad as it sounds, it’s the truth.

Nothing about this is insulting to children or their existence.

If you despise this thus far, you are far too judgmental and leave.

Any working mom, in one form or another struggles sometimes.

That is okay and normal.

What’s not okay is letting everything overtake you and bury you alive.

Take things one at a time

Dare I mention being overwhelmed and overloaded?

As moms, we feel our number one job is to get everything possible done.

It makes us feel independent, whole and at peace that we can accomplish so much.

However, overloading yourself is unhealthy and causes far more stress than it’s worth

It is a must to take things in smaller portions, bite-size if you will.

Remember, you’re not alone

That other mom who looks perfect with the perfect little bow on her beautiful baby, and she’s rocking those pumps you’ve been dying to wear, has had her bad days too.

Every mom out there has had rough days.

Barely made it out of bed on time, so she had to half-ass her routine and is barely keeping it together.

Perception is a big part of what makes our minds assume people’s situations.

However, most of the time, we just happen to catch someone on a good day, or that mom on her good day stands out.

WE have all been there, the struggle is very real.

Embrace the scars

There are many who suffer prenatal, postnatal, and childhood scars that remain in our minds.

They have to be embraced, it’s hard to stuff them away.

The best you can do is embrace how it made you a better person and learn to cope better each day.

The physical scars that are carried weigh on the mind when they are seen.

As much as having an emergency cesarean bothered me at first, eventually, the pain faded, and I forgot it was there.

Unless it’s a doctor or my husband, no one can tell I’ve had a C-section.

Emotional or physical scars remain regardless of what we think of them.

You might as well embrace them and learn from them.

Motherhood is definitely a tough feat, but we wouldn’t carry the many titles we do of strength if it were easy.

In the end, you have to look at things as learning experiences and embrace what you can.

The post when motherhood becomes overwhelming appeared first on moms chaos corner.