The Working Mom's Guide to Breaking Free from Burnout
You know that feeling—when you've accomplished so much, yet your to-do list keeps growing? When you're drowning on the inside while maintaining a perfect facade on the outside? Meanwhile, your family, friends, coworkers, and bosses keep asking for more, expecting more, because you make it all look so easy.
It's a constant struggle, wanting to say yes to everyone despite feeling overwhelmed. Occasionally, you get a breath of fresh air: your child's face lighting up during quality time, your boss's smile when you crush a goal, or your partner thanking you because "our house runs functionally because of you." As working moms, this recognition feels amazing in the moment—who doesn't love hearing they're the best at everything? Shout it from the bleachers! We wear this "badge of honor"—this bad-ass-mom-who-can-do-it-all status—with pride, even as it slowly breaks us down from the inside out.
But what if I told you there's another way? What if saying no and prioritizing your mental and physical health could help you keep that badge of honor while preventing the inevitable resentment of "well, what about me?" The more we put ourselves last, the more we become agitated, upset, sad, frustrated, and annoyed. The longer we wait for others to recognize our needs, the deeper underwater we feel.
We fear that saying no to loved ones, friends, bosses, or colleagues will make us appear weak or uncaring. Society expects women to juggle everything with a smile, perfect posture, and minimal sleep, all while maintaining healthy habits for ourselves and our families. Even writing that out is exhausting! But here's the truth: this perception needs to change—for us and for the next generation. It's a cycle we witnessed in our mothers, and now our children watch us perpetuate it without question—until we hit BURNOUT.
You'll recognize burnout when you start snapping at your children over small things, crying frequently, feeling constantly exhausted and overwhelmed, sleepwalking through life. Then comes the crushing question: Who am I? We often lose ourselves trying to fit others' perceptions, and our identity becomes wrapped up in our kids, careers, or partners. If left unaddressed, this spiral of emotions can become overwhelming.
But it doesn't have to be this way. You can be who you want to be while being there for your loved ones. You don't have to sacrifice the activities that brought you joy before motherhood. There's a sustainable approach called work/life blend, and I believe each of us has our own unique equation. When we figure out the math for our current season, we shine brilliantly. Our loved ones notice immediately. We walk with genuine confidence and pride—not as a facade, but because we're living life fully and intentionally.
We must "put our oxygen mask on first." If you're thinking, "I can't even find the damn oxygen mask!"—I see you. I've heard the stories, and I've lived it. My response? You haven't given yourself permission to pause and look for it. That's why I've developed tools and techniques to help you find your oxygen mask.
Think of these tools as your yellow brick road, guiding you toward your goal. Some roads have construction, potholes, or ice, but that's why it's called a journey. My process begins with "Mind Over Matter," focusing on visualization, affirmations, and stating your "why" out loud. Write your WHY somewhere visible (I recommend using it as your phone's screensaver). This keeps you focused on the end goal.
While affirmations might seem cliché, I can attest to their power from daily practice. We start with vision work: identify one obstacle holding you back from prioritizing self-care, then imagine life without that obstacle. Visualize what you're doing, when, with whom, and where. Write it all down—written words hold power. If it's not written, it's less likely to happen.
For one week, reflect on your happiness using my self-reflection tool (download a copy here). Note when you're happiest and what you're doing. This process helps locate that misplaced oxygen mask—the one you set aside while prioritizing everyone else. Consider this your first step on the yellow brick road, and there's no turning back!
Happy Journey!
Live You. Love You,
Maria LyVonne
