Mom Burnout Is Real: My Tips for Recovery

Let’s be real: being a mom is a 24/7 gig with no paid time off, no breaks, and no manual to guide you through the chaos. Sure, it’s rewarding, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. And somewhere between the school drop-offs, meal preps, tantrums, and endless laundry, you realize — you’re done. Like, stick-a-fork-in-me done. That, my friends, is mom burnout.

If you’ve been there (or if you’re there right now), know this: you’re not alone, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. I’ve been through it plenty of times, and while I’m no expert, I’ve picked up a few tricks to help me crawl out of the burnout pit and get back to a place where I actually enjoy being a mom again.

Recognizing the signs of mom burnout

First, let’s talk about what burnout actually looks like. For me, it’s not just physical exhaustion (though that’s part of it). It’s mental and emotional fatigue — the kind where even thinking about making another PB&J feels like climbing Mount Everest.

• You feel like you’re running on fumes.

• You snap at the kids over little things.

• Everything feels like too much effort.

• You start questioning if you’re even a “good” mom.

  
  

Sound familiar? Yeah, me too. But here’s the thing: burnout isn’t a sign that you’re failing. It’s a sign that you’ve been giving too much for too long without refilling your own cup.

My tips for recovering from mom burnout

Recovering from mom burnout isn’t about finding a magical cure — it’s about taking small, intentional steps to refill your cup and ease the load. Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that help me climb out of that exhausted, overwhelmed state and back into a place where I can actually enjoy motherhood again. Here are my go-to tips for bouncing back when burnout hits.

1. Stop trying to do it all

Listen, you can’t pour from an empty cup, so it’s time to let some things go. That to-do list? Chop it in half. The Pinterest-perfect birthday party? Skip it and grab a cake from the grocery store. Frozen dinners for a week? Totally fine. The world won’t end if you don’t check off every box.

For me, letting go of the “perfect mom” ideal was a game-changer. My kids don’t care if dinner is homemade or from the freezer — they just want me to be there, not a stressed-out zombie version of me.

2. Ask for help (and actually accept it)

This one took me forever to learn because, like a lot of moms, I felt like I had to do it all myself. Spoiler: you don’t.

Whether it’s asking your partner to handle bedtime, trading playdates with another mom, or hiring a sitter for a few hours, help is out there. And let me tell you, letting someone else take the reins for a bit is liberating.

3. Schedule time for yourself

And no, I don’t mean “time to clean the house in peace.” I mean real, actual you time. Maybe it’s a solo coffee run, a Zumba class (my favorite), or locking the bathroom door and taking a shower without interruption.

Here’s the thing: time for yourself isn’t selfish. It’s survival. You can’t be the mom your kids need if you’re running on empty, so take that time and don’t feel guilty about it.

4. Simplify your day

Burnout thrives on overwhelm, so simplifying your day can make a huge difference. For me, that might mean:

• Setting out clothes and packing lunches the night before.

• Keeping meals simple (hello, pasta night).

• Saying no to activities that don’t serve my sanity.

  
  

Sometimes, just a little less chaos in the daily routine is enough to help me breathe again.

5. Remember who you are outside of “mom”

This one’s a biggie. When you’re deep in the trenches of motherhood, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are beyond the title of “mom.” But you are 

so much more.

For me, it’s been about reconnecting with things that make me happy — whether that’s creating something for Snackbitches, laughing with friends over drinks, or just sitting in silence with a cup of coffee. Finding those pieces of myself again always brings me back to center.

Give yourself grace

Finally, the most important tip of all: cut yourself some slack. You’re not superhuman. You’re a mom doing the best you can with what you’ve got — and that’s enough.

Burnout doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’ve been giving your all, and it’s time to give yourself some love, too. So take a breath, let the laundry wait, and remind yourself that you’re doing a damn good job.

To every burned-out mom

You’re not alone. You’re not failing. And you will get through this. Motherhood is hard, but you’re tougher — and you’re exactly the mom your kids need.

Now, go refill that cup, Mama. You’ve got this.