Mum Balance

Finding Balance as a Mum: One Small Step at a Time

You’re doing a lot.

And you probably don’t hear that enough.

Between school drop-offs, the constant snack requests, the emotional labour of remembering everyone’s appointments, and the never-ending mental to-do list, life can feel like a blur.

Somewhere in there, you’re meant to feel “balanced.”

But what does balance even mean when you’re a mum?

What Is Balance, Really?

Balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly or dividing your time into equal parts.

It’s not a magical place where work, kids, and self-care each get exactly 33.3% of your energy.

Balance is more like breathing. Sometimes it’s deep and slow, sometimes it’s shallow and rushed, but it keeps you going.

It’s about noticing when you’re tipping too far in one direction and gently correcting course.

What’s Missing?

For most mums, what’s missing isn’t competence, effort, or love, it’s space.

Space to hear your own thoughts.

Space to feel something other than stress.

Space to just be.

You’re not lazy.

You’re not failing.

You’re just stretched too thin.

And underneath that, there’s a quiet longing: “I just want a bit of time for me.”

So What Can You Do?

You don’t need a week-long retreat or a complete life overhaul.

Let’s keep this realistic.

Balance isn’t built in a day. It’s built bit by bit. in moments

Here are a few steps you can take to start creating some of those moments:

1. Find One Pocket of Time

Don’t aim for hours. Aim for ten minutes. Seriously.

• Wake up 10 minutes earlier (if you can) and sit with a cup of tea before anyone needs you.

• Stay in the car after the school drop-off and just breathe.

• Sit outside while the kids play, even if it’s chaotic around you.

Small win: You claimed time that was just yours.

2. Lower the Bar (On Purpose)

The house doesn’t need to be spotless.

The dinner doesn’t have to be homemade every night.

Pick one thing to do at 80% instead of 100%. Let it be “good enough.”

Small win: You saved energy for something else or maybe even yourself.

3. Name What You Need

Ask yourself each day: What do I need today to feel like myself?

It could be connection, rest, movement, laughter, or quiet.

Once you know, you’re more likely to create space for it, even in a small way.

Small win: You listened to your needs instead of ignoring them.

4. Say No Without Guilt

Start with one small no.

• No to that extra playdate you don’t have energy for.

• No to answering work emails after a certain time.

• No to your own inner critic who says you’re not doing enough.

Small win: You protected your energy.

5. Notice What Went Right

At the end of the day, instead of replaying what you didn’t do, ask: What went well today?

• Maybe you stayed calm when your toddler lost it.

• Maybe you ate lunch sitting down.

• Maybe you didn’t yell even though you wanted to.

Small win: You saw your effort and that matters.

One Step, Not All the Steps

You don’t need to be “balanced” all the time.

That’s not the goal.

That is setting yourself up to fail.

You just need a few small shifts that start to feel like you’re in there somewhere.

That’s the real win.

Start with one thing from this list. Not all of them. Just one.

Then do it again tomorrow or the next day.

That’s how balance begins: not in the grand gesture, but in the gentle decision to take up a little more space in your own life.

You’ve got this.

And if today was hard?

There’s always tomorrow.

Be kind on yourself

Set your expectations realistically

If you aim for this amazing mystical perfect balance you are just giving yourself one more thing …one more thing on your already overloaded list.

What one small things can you do today for you ?