Three kids in three years. No childcare. Running a business part-time.

That sounds like a recipe for total overwhelm, right?

But here’s the truth: I’m not overwhelmed. And it’s not because I have some superpower or endless patience. It’s because I refuse to buy into the belief that motherhood has to feel like drowning.

I know so many moms who feel like they’re barely keeping their heads above water—constantly juggling, constantly stressed, constantly feeling like they’re falling behind. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In this post, I’m sharing exactly how I’ve built a life where I can be present with my kids and grow my business—without constantly feeling stretched too thin. If you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed and want to take back control of your time, energy, and mindset, this is for you. Let’s dive in.

UP NEXT: Listen to the podcast “I had three kids in three years and I’m not overwhelmed. Here’s why.”

Overwhelm Is A Choice—And I Don’t Choose It

Most people think overwhelm happens to them. That it’s just part of being a mom with little kids, running a business, or juggling all the things. But here’s what I’ve learned: overwhelm isn’t about what’s on your plate—it’s about how you think about what’s on your plate.

I used to believe I had to do everything perfectly. That if I wasn’t stressed, I must be slacking. That there was never enough time. But those thoughts created my overwhelm. They made me feel like I was drowning, even when I wasn’t.

Now? I refuse to think that way. I don’t tell myself, I have to do this. Instead, I remind myself, I choose to do this—because it aligns with my priorities, my values, and the life I want.

Overwhelm is not an identity. It’s not a badge of honor. And it’s definitely not a requirement for motherhood. When I stopped choosing overwhelm, everything changed.

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I Have Clear Priorities

One of the biggest reasons moms feel overwhelmed is because they’re trying to do everything—without first deciding what actually matters. But here’s the thing: when everything is important, nothing is.

For me, my purpose is clear: motherhood and family come first. My top two priorities:

  1. My family—being present with my kids, raising them with intention, and building the life I want for us.
  2. My business (Mom On Purpose)—because I love my work, and it allows me to create the freedom and impact I desire.

That’s it. Those are the two things that get my energy. Everything else? It’s either a hard no or a simplified yes.

I don’t waste time debating if I should sign my kids up for three different activities. I don’t stress about a messy house when I’m deep in work mode or playing with my kids. I don’t overthink decisions like what preschool to choose, what book to read, or what house to buy. I constrain my options, decide quickly, and move on.

The clearer I am about what actually matters, the easier it is to let go of everything that doesn’t. And that alone frees up so much mental space.

I Make Quick Decisions And Move Forward

One of the biggest energy drains for moms isn’t just doing all the things—it’s thinking about all the things. The endless debating, overanalyzing, and second-guessing. That’s what makes everything feel heavier than it needs to be.

I don’t let decisions linger. Whether it’s choosing a preschool, picking out a book, or deciding what to cook for dinner, I constrain my choices, trust myself, and make a decision quickly.

Here’s how I do it:

  • I don’t indulge in “What if?” thinking. Once I’ve made a decision, I don’t waste time wondering if there was a “better” choice. I move forward.
  • I remind myself that most decisions are reversible. If something truly doesn’t work, I can pivot. But stressing over it in advance? Not worth it.

Making quick decisions saves me so much time and mental energy. And the less time I spend thinking about things that don’t matter, the more time I have for what actually does.

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I Direct My Focus And Don’t Let Distractions Run My Life

One of the biggest reasons I’m not overwhelmed? I choose what gets my attention. I don’t let my brain spiral over things that don’t matter, and I don’t let distractions pull me away from what does.

Take my house, for example. Is it messy? Of course. I have three little kids. But I don’t waste mental energy caring about it when my focus is on something else—whether that’s playing with my kids, working on my business, or simply enjoying my coffee in peace.

Here’s how I stay focused:

  • I decide what matters in the moment. If I’m working, I’m working. If I’m with my kids, I’m present. I don’t try to do both at once.
  • I let go of unnecessary guilt. A messy house, unread emails, or a to-do list that’s never fully checked off? That’s just life. I refuse to make it mean I’m failing.
  • I train my brain to refocus. When I notice myself getting distracted or fixating on something unimportant, I redirect my attention back to what I want to focus on.

The truth is, overwhelm isn’t about how much you have to do—it’s about where your brain is. And I make sure mine is focused on what truly matters.

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I Constrain Everything

The fewer decisions I have to make, the less mental energy I waste. That’s why I intentionally constrain everything in my life. I don’t sign my kids up for a million activities. I don’t overanalyze which preschool is “the best”—I pick one and move on. I don’t fill my house with stuff that needs managing.

By keeping things simple, I free up space in my brain for what actually matters. This means fewer options, fewer commitments, and way more peace. Constraints don’t feel limiting; they feel freeing.

How I Constrain My Life to Avoid Overwhelm:

  • Kid Activities: Each child gets one (maybe two) activities at a time—no over-scheduling.
  • Preschools & Schools: I pick one that’s good enough instead of endlessly researching.
  • Buying Decisions: I don’t waste time comparing 20 strollers or kitchen gadgets—I choose quickly and move on.
  • Meals: I rotate the same simple, easy meals every week instead of trying to reinvent dinner every night.
  • Clothes: I keep my wardrobe minimal—fewer choices = less stress.
  • Commitments: I say no a lot—just because I could do something doesn’t mean I should.
  • Work Tasks: I focus on what actually moves my business forward and ignore busywork.

The result? I have more time, more energy, and way less stress.

Time Management Resources:

I Set Boundaries And Protect My Energy

I don’t let other people’s expectations dictate my life. I know that if I say yes to everything, I’ll end up exhausted, stretched too thin, and overwhelmed. So instead, I protect my time, energy, and mental space by setting firm boundaries—without guilt.

How I Set Boundaries To Avoid Overwhelm:

  • With My Time: I don’t feel obligated to respond to texts or emails immediately. I check messages when it works for me, not when someone else expects it.
  • With My Kids: I love them endlessly, but I’m not available to them 24/7. I take breaks, have alone time, and let them experience boredom.
  • With My Work: Just because I could work more doesn’t mean I should. I keep my work hours tight and focused so I can be present with my family.
  • With Social Media: I’m intentional about how much time I spend online. Scrolling mindlessly doesn’t add value to my life, so I limit it.
  • With Other People: I don’t overcommit to things that don’t align with my priorities. If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.

Setting boundaries isn’t about being rigid or selfish—it’s about making sure I have the energy to show up as the best version of myself, for my kids and for me.

A Final Note

Motherhood is full, but it doesn’t have to feel frantic. Running a business is demanding, but it doesn’t have to feel draining. Life will always have responsibilities, but you get to decide how you carry them.

When I stopped choosing overwhelm, got clear on my priorities, made quick decisions, constrained what I focused on, and set strong boundaries, everything changed. I had more time, more energy, and most importantly—more peace.

You don’t need more hours in the day to feel better. You need to be intentional with the hours you already have. So if you’re tired of feeling stretched too thin, start small. Pick one thing from this list and commit to it. Your future, calmer self will thank you.

UP NEXT: Listen to the podcast “I had three kids in three years and I’m not overwhelmed. Here’s why.”