Finding our groove in motherhood can be one of the biggest mama hurdles we have to jump. Mom culture is saturated in negative self talk. And while memes are fun (hello guilty pleasure!), at the end of the day, we become what we behold.
And this mama grew real tired, real quick. All that ‘fun’ negativity ended up projecting onto my personal life. I realized I was headed down a really dangerous path. My mental health as a mother was at stake, as we’re my relationships.
I simply wanted more happiness.
So I chased it.
Over the last year, finding happiness in the daily rhythms of motherhood has changed not only my temperament as mama and wife, but also my ability to keep up with life’s chaos while simultaneously embracing it.
But, how? How do we enjoy time at the dishwasher? How do we enjoy waking up early for the school rush? How do we enjoy our kids? Because I’m all about keeping it real, and sometimes even this can be a struggle.
Here’s a few real, simple changes we can make in our pursuit of motherhood bliss that have a solid happiness payout.
Go Simple, Declutter A Space. I know, it’s a trendy concept right now, but for good reason. It’s been scientifically proven that clutter produces cortisol, and too much cortisol produces stress. So where to start? Start simple and small. Choose a space you frequent multiple times a day (try your bathroom). Empty the space. And return only what you need and use daily. Let the rest go. You’ll quickly see how going simple triggers a happier mood.
Free Printable :: Evening Rhythms for some more evening tips and tricks.
Solidify Evening Rhythms. I love referring to Micheal Scott (The Office fans, unite!) on this one. Que the episode where he burns his foot on a George Foreman Grill stepping out of bed one morning, all because he enjoys waking up to the smell of fresh bacon. A little extreme maybe, but the man has a point. Each night, I complete a few simple tasks for my ‘tomorrow morning self’ so I have slightly less work to wake up to. Program your coffee pot and hit start on the dishwasher before heading to bed. Waking up to fresh hot coffee and a clean dishwasher is an instant mood lifter!
Indulge In Simple Pleasures. Self care, just simpler. Try one of my favorites: a brown sugar + honey lip scrub. The ingredients are always pantry stocked, and a quick pamper session leaves me feeling refreshed, especially heading into this Wisconsin winter! Pair it with a coconut oil + sea salt hand scrub for a full out kitchen spa sesh.
Feed Your Soul. Reading, podcasts, music. They all have a positive impact on our mood. So enjoy more of them! Keep a simple book in your bag to skim during downtime. Book in hand means phone isn’t, which means less stress on the go! Some days it’s as simple as popping in earbuds and listening to a quick, motivating podcast for a boost. Or the next time you’re feeling the mama grumps creep in, play some music. A bad mood plus good music always boosts happiness.
Turn Ordinary Tasks Into Extraordinary Ones. Joy in a dishwasher? Here’s how: load the dishwasher intentionally. This is a real thing, hear me out! When we load our dishes, we group like items together. Not only is it really pretty to look at when I open to unload, it’s also much easier to put away. Everything is pre sorted, meaning I’m not spending unnecessary time organizing plates and cups and spoons and forks. I’m just swooping up each category and sticking it back in its cupboard. Less time at the dishwasher always means a happier mama!
Find Your “One Good Mom Thing.” Once I stopped trying to be the mom that does everything perfectly, and focused instead on being the mom that does one good thing, I started to find more happiness in my motherhood. Choose one or two things you personally enjoy and involve your kids! For me it’s coloring and reading. I put my phone away, grab a warm comfort beverage, and sit with my kids. Then the magic happens; they open up and we connect. It’s really as simple as that. Don’t worry about all the things you don’t like to do with your kids. Focus on the things you do like to do. And do them well. I promise it’ll leave you all feeling more connected. And much happier!
Here’s the deal. Times will still get tough, that’s life. And motherhood. You’ll still have days where you lock yourself in your pantry and eat Oreo’s. Bedtime will seem lightyears from now. And you’ll still feel flustered in the temporary chaos, and you’ll still have days where you cry. That’s okay, and normal! But choosing to find the happy in the mundane is going to make those bad mama moments few and far between. So on our average days, motherhood can be a place of joy and comfort.
Our goal as mom’s is to ultimately raise happy children into happy adults. If we can’t find happiness in daily life, how can we ever expect them to?
Amy is a facilitator of all sorts as she lives life with her husband and three daughters (plus baby number four on the way). She loves to chat all things simplifying, motherhood and life while embracing rhythms, rest and always putting family first. Her current passions include celebrating the chaos of everyday life with so many littles, as well as helping other mamas see the beauty in the ordinary through #unfilteredswipe posts and the #goingsimple challenge. Amy Eilers | @houseofeilers | www.houseofeilers.wordpress.com
