“Let It Go”: 5 Weird (And Controversial) Things I Do To Get Through The Day

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5 Weird Overwhelmed Mom Habits That Might Save Your Sanity

If you’re an overwhelmed mom trying to keep up with everything but feeling like you’re constantly behind or messing it up, you’re not alone. In this post, I’m going to show you the weird, slightly controversial things I do as an overwhelmed mom to get through seasons of overwhelm, and why letting go might actually be the most intentional thing you can do. These overwhelmed mom habits I’ve developed over time while in are not about doing less, they’re about doing what actually matters so you can get through the day without burning out.

In this post…

It all started on a night I tried to make homemade teriyaki sauce.

It was one of those days where everything already felt crazy But I still had this voice in my head telling me to “be that mom” who makes everything from scratch. So I did it anyway.

But I was overwhelmed and distracted, the kids were loud, and I was running around like a chicken… you know the saying.

And then the sauce boiled over.

Sticky, burnt, everywhere. On the stove, down the sides, that awful burnt sugar smell that lingers. Suddenly my “good mom” dinner had turned into more work, more mess, more overwhelm.

I just stood there, completely defeated. Thankfully my husband came to the rescue, but not without a bit of exasperation.

He looked at me and said, “Why do you have to do this? I’ll just buy the sauce. It’s okay to let go of some of this right now.”

And that shifted something for me. Was I my own worst enemy?

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The “Permission” Overwhelmed Moms Don’t Talk About

There are seasons of motherhood where your capacity is simply lower. And that was very hard for me to accept. But it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. But because you are already carrying a lot.

• Young, busy kids
• Interrupted moments
• Mental load that never fully turns off

And in those seasons, your standards need to change. Yes, even be lowered.

This is something I’ve had to learn slowly, and honestly, pretty reluctantly.

Intentional living does not mean doing everything perfectly. It means knowing what matters most in the season you’re in.

Channel your inner blue princess and Let It Go.

My 5 Overwhelmed Mom Habits That Help Me Function Better

These might sound lazy, wasteful, or not very “crunchy.” And in a different season, I might do things differently. And previous versions of me may have been judgemental of these habits, which is why it was so hard in the first place. But I had to humble myself. Here are 5 things I’ve had to do to get through the day as an overwhelmed mom.

1. I run my dishwasher multiple times a day

I used to wait until it was completely full. Now I don’t. If the kitchen starts to feel overwhelming, I just run it. I don’t care if it’s the first or the fourth time that day.

Because a clean sink resets the entire space for me.

Going to high school in the early 2010’s go-green era instilled this shame cycle in me where I felt like I was harming the planet if I did this. But I had to choose my mental health.

And it’s not forever. It’s just until I stop making 3 full meals and 34 snacks a day.

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2. I don’t recycle or compost

This one feels uncomfortable to admit. I care about living intentionally. And I care about reducing waste, obviously. But I care about my time and mental health more during seasons where I’m fragile. there are seasons where sorting, rinsing, organizing, and remembering what goes where just adds too many steps.

And right now, fewer steps matter more.

So sometimes, I let it go… to the landfill.

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3. I buy store-bought food I know I could make

This one goes back to the teriyaki night. Yes, I can make sauces, bread, snacks, and meals from scratch.

But that doesn’t mean I always should.

When I’m in survival mode, I buy the pre-made version from the grocery store. I still like to be intentional about the products I choose and be mindful of the ingredients, but I will not lie it hurt me a little to go back to eating food from plastic bags. But during seasons of overwhelm, it’s not forever. Plus, it’s less decision-making and less cleanup.

If this is you too, you are not failing at homemaking.

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4. I rewash laundry if I forget it

You know when you forget a load in the washer and it just sits there? Ugh, the smell.

I used to feel so annoyed with myself. Now I just run it again without a second thought.

No guilt. No overthinking. Just reset and move on.

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… And I use laundry additives

I try to be mindful about what I bring into my home. But on days where I feel overwhelmed and I’m folding a pile of laundry that still smells, it’s too much.

Despite my journey with clean living and my love for non-toxic swaps (read about that journey here), sometimes I don’t have the capacity for the extra commitments that come with natural products.

Smaller loads. Separate rinsing and cleaning for clothing that needs extra attention (ahem… potty training). Normally, I’m all for it.

But when I’m overwhelmed, I just want clothes to feel clean and fresh again, but also only do one simple load of laundry.

So yes, I use things like Oxi Powder when I need to. And surprisingly, I haven’t found any issues with my boys’ sensitive skin.

I’m still not super comfortable with it, but in this season, I just need clean clothes.

5. I Simplify Instead Of Optimizing Everything

I optimize everything by nature. I have to do something the best possible way. I am unsure if it’s my personality or if it’s ADHD, but regardless. For example, I used to have so much variety in my meals (3 separate portions like meat, carb and vegetable); I used to plan outings and play dates multiple times a week; I used to feel the pressure to “use” my clothes just because they were there.

Now:

• I repeat simple, one pot meals (think Instant Pot or slow cooker)
• I rotate the same outfits
• I buy the same snacks
• I stay home and follow the same rhythm

Not because I don’t care. But because I care about my energy more. 😅

What Other Overwhelmed Moms Let Go Of

At one point, I went down a Reddit rabbit hole reading what other moms do when they’re overwhelmed.

And it made me feel so normal.

So many moms admitted they:

• Use paper plates during hard weeks
• Switch to disposable diapers instead of cloth
• Let screen time increase when they need a break
• Order groceries instead of shopping
• Let laundry pile up
• Skip elaborate cleaning routines
• Let their kids wear whatever is easiest

And the common thread was this:

They were doing what they needed to do to get through the season.

There are way more moms in survival mode than we talk about.

If this sounds like you, you need read about how to let go of demands and work in a rhythm that works for your current season:

• Allostatic Load: Reducing Mom Overwhelm in 3 Steps
• How to Have a Soft Summer (Not Survival Mode)

And these valuable resources to keep you out of survival mode:

• Glow Weekly Rhythm Reset | A Gentle Decision Framework for Moms Who Are Overwhelmed
• 7-Day Home Reset Guide | A Repeatable 7 Day Reset To Create A More Functional Home
• Weekly Meal Planner (With Shopping List)

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Why These Overwhelmed Mom Habits Are Not Failure

There is so much pressure right now to do everything “right.”

Cook from scratch
Use clean products
Keep a perfectly organized home
Limit screens
Stay consistent
Look your best
Have a full schedule

And while all of those things can be good, they stack… quickly and quietly.

And then you’re like me, and burning your dinner.

You cannot operate at your highest standard in your lowest capacity season.

That is just the truth. And when you try to, you end up feeling like you are constantly falling short.

What To Focus On Instead In Overwhelming Seasons

I have to remember what really matters as a homemaker:

• Feeding my family
• Cleaning their clothes
• Cleaning their home

It doesn’t matter how I do it. So remove what makes it complicated. Because I also have to:

• Protect my energy
• Stay present

That is it. Everything else can flex and come and go.

Let This Be Your Permission Slip If You’re Overwhelmed

Yes, you feel weird letting a stranger on the internet giving you “permission” for what to do or not to do in your own home. But if this was validating for you, then let it be! Don’t add your “shoulds” here. Allow yourself:

To take shortcuts
To choose ease
To let things go

This is not your forever. This is just where you are right now.

You’re still “that mom”.

You can come back to the things you value later. They are still a part of you.

But right now, you are allowed to get through the day in a way that works for you.

If this post felt like a breath of fresh air, I’d love for you to stay connected. I share simple, realistic rhythms for motherhood, wellness, and home life that actually fit into busy days.

You can subscribe for updates, new posts, and occasional resources that make life feel a little lighter.

Have you recently felt like you need to let go of something? Let me know in the comments! We can all feel a little less alone.