Hey sweet momma,
Let’s just be honest for a second—motherhood is beautiful and holy, but also loud and messy and often overwhelming. You’re juggling snacks, homeschool math, maybe a toddler on your hip, and you look around and think… “Why does everything feel like too much right now?”
I’ve been there. I still go there. And when I start to feel that tight-chested, anxious, I-can’t-even-think feeling, I’ve learned to stop and ask:
“What’s my space doing to my mind right now?”
More often than not, it’s not just my to-do list causing stress—it’s the visual noise around me. Toys on the floor, dishes on the counter, laundry piles whispering (or shouting) from the corner.
That’s when I reach for my go-to lifeline:
✨ A 10-minute reset.
What’s a 10-Minute Reset?
It’s not a deep clean. It’s not perfection. It’s just a pause—a short burst of movement that helps me clear both my space and my head.
I usually do it:
- Right when I feel the overwhelm creeping in
- Before shifting into a new part of my day (like dinner or bedtime)
- And almost always before heading upstairs for the night
I’ve found that when I can tidy even just one space—especially the room I’m in—it creates mental room for me to breathe again.
I Always Start with the Floors
There’s something about stuff on the floor that just messes with my brain. I’ve even joked with friends that cluttered floors feel like danger signals to my nervous system.
So I start there:
- Pick up everything off the ground—toys, laundry, shoes, mail
- Vacuum (I love my Dyson—no sweeping for me!)
- Then I move up: fluff pillows, wipe surfaces, tidy counters
It’s like working bottom-up resets my brain, too. When I can see the floor again, everything feels more manageable.
Why It Works for Me
For me, these little resets aren’t about having a Pinterest-perfect home. They’re about clearing the mental clutter so I can be present.
Because when the house is a mess, it talks to me:
“Put me away… don’t forget about this… you’re falling behind…”
And when you’ve got little ones who need your attention (and probably someone’s hungry again), those loud spaces get in the way of loving well.
So I tidy. For me.
So I can cook without snapping.
So I can read a book without guilt.
So I can tuck them in without resentment.
Tools That Help Me Make It Happen
- Timer on my Apple Watch:
I almost always overestimate how long tidying will take. But when I set a 5- or 10-minute timer? I’m amazed how quickly I can make a dent—and how much lighter I feel after. - My Dyson Vacuum:
It’s fast, light, and powerful enough to handle all the snacks and crumbs. - My kids’ chore zones:
Everyone has a space they’re responsible for. It’s not perfect, but it teaches ownership and takes some of the weight off me. (I have a whole blog post and video on this if you want to peek inside our system!)
If You Don’t Know Where to Start…
Start somewhere. Anywhere.
Pick a room. Set a 5-minute timer. Just begin.
Because here’s what I’ve found to be true:
Movement creates more movement.
You don’t need motivation first. You just need to start.
I made a free Survival Kit for moms who feel buried and behind—it includes my reset checklist, a printable rhythm planner, and some real food dinner ideas that take the pressure off.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed too, I hope it blesses you.
👉 Download it here for free
With love and a cleaner floor,
Dana 💛
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