Every morning begins with the hope of checking off my entire to-do list before the sun sets, but by the end of the day, I find myself worn out, reflecting on the tasks I didn’t complete. Despite my best intentions and motivation, the hours in a day never seem adequate to tackle a list that keeps expanding.
As I scroll through social media—oh, the irony—I frequently encounter “experts” proclaiming that if I can find time to scroll through Facebook, nibble on a snack, or take a long bathroom break, then I should have time to hit the gym, meditate, or otherwise improve my life. Their resounding message is “no excuses,” often accompanied by tales of achieving incredible feats such as maintaining six-pack abs after having five kids, juggling a college degree while working an 80-hour week, or managing a successful home business—all while looking polished every day of the year. They remind us that we all have the same 24 hours as the likes of Beyoncé!
Theoretically, I could fill every moment of my day with productivity, and yes, that could lead to accomplishing more. But where does my right to simply enjoy life fit into this equation? Where do moments of relaxation rank on the productivity scale?
While I might technically have the time, time alone isn’t enough. Consider it like baking; having flour and sugar doesn’t mean you can whip up a cake. Other essential ingredients are needed—like genuine interest. You must want to engage in the activities that fill your time, and if I spend my day doing obligatory tasks, you can bet I’ll carve out a few moments to indulge in something that brings me joy, even if that means doing nothing.
There’s a reason people often make excuses for not tackling certain tasks: they’re challenging. Achieving remarkable results demands sustained effort, and many of us feel too drained from our daily lives to muster the energy for one more tough task. It’s less about the hours available and more about the fact that we already deal with enough difficult situations. The fear of trying and failing can sometimes weigh heavier than choosing not to try at all.
Often, the motivation from others—no matter how well-meaning—can feel more discouraging than inspiring. It can leave me feeling inadequate, as though I’m not utilizing my time wisely and, consequently, failing overall. My mental health and emotional well-being are vital, not just for me but for my family as well. If that means skipping hours at the gym or not dedicating every evening to a side hustle, then so be it. “Mom guilt” is hard enough to cope with without adding another voice insisting I could achieve more if I weren’t so lazy.
Even if I did pursue those activities, I would likely create new sources of guilt: the time spent exercising could have been used to read to my children, or I could be cleaning the neglected kitchen instead of indulging in self-care. If I’m going to feel guilty regardless of how I spend my time, I’ll choose to scroll through social media over perfecting my physique any day.
This isn’t to say I’d never invest my time in striving for extraordinary outcomes in certain areas of my life. However, it would have to be something that resonates with me personally—not merely another task suggested by someone else who succeeded.
After all, ain’t nobody got time for that.
For those looking for more resources on family planning and pregnancy, check out RESOLVE, an excellent guide for home insemination options. If you’re interested in home insemination supplies, consider Cryobaby’s Intracervical Insemination Kit, which is a trusted option for many.
Summary:
This article emphasizes that mothers often face unrealistic expectations regarding how they should use their time. It highlights the importance of personal choice and well-being over societal pressures to be productive. Ultimately, moms should prioritize what truly matters to them without added guilt from external voices.