Before & After: How Small Habits Changed My Life
I used to wake up exhausted every day... like, bone-tired before I even got out of bed. I was constantly playing catch-up, always feeling behind, and my brain felt like it was running a million tabs at once. And honestly? I thought that was just life as a mom.
But then I made one small change. And then another. And another.
I’m not talking about a massive life overhaul—just tiny, almost effortless shifts that somehow gave me more energy, more focus, and way less mental load. The kind of small habits that make you think, Why didn’t I do this sooner?!
So, here they are. The little habits that truly changed my life. If you’re a busy mom who wants to feel more in control and less drained, I promise—these work.
1. Prepping Laundry the Night Before
Laundry used to feel like a never-ending battle. I’d start a load at noon and somehow forget about it until bedtime (or worse... the next day). But this? Game-changer.
Now, I toss the clothes in the washer at night. In the morning, I literally just walk past it on my way to make coffee and hit start. No thinking, no extra mental load—just one step closer to clean laundry with almost zero effort.
2. Ordering Groceries Once a Week—Delivered
Dragging kids through a grocery store should be an Olympic sport. I don’t know why I resisted grocery delivery for so long, but let me tell you—having fresh food show up at my door once a week is chef’s kiss.
Fewer last-minute trips, no toddler meltdowns in the checkout line, and so much less decision fatigue. If you haven’t tried it yet, this is your sign.
3. Rotating Meal Plan = No More "What’s for Dinner?" Panic
Listen, I am not out here creating Pinterest-worthy meal plans every week. Instead, I have a 6-week meal rotation that I cycle through.
✅ Just enough variety so no one gets bored.
✅ All meals are toddler-approved (less dinner drama).
✅ Grocery shopping is a breeze because I already know what we need.
Less mental energy wasted. More time enjoying dinner. Win-win.
4. Deep Breathing Reset in the Shower
Okay, hear me out—deep breaths in the shower. Sounds simple (maybe even silly?), but it’s honestly the quickest way to reset my nervous system.
Hot water + three deep, intentional breaths = instant calm. It’s like a mini-reset button for my brain, and I swear it makes my whole day feel less chaotic.
5. Blue Light Mask = More Good Skin Days
I have been an acne girlie for most of my 20s, and I finally found something that actually helps—my blue light mask.
A few minutes every night while I do my nighttime routine, and my skin has never been happier. Seriously. It’s like magic.
6. Podcasts in the Car (When I’m Not Listening to The Wiggles)
Most of my car rides involve The Wiggles on full blast while my toddler dances in his car seat. BUT—on the rare occasions when it’s just me and my dog, I switch it up.
Podcasts have become my daily dose of self-improvement. I listen to everything from true crime to social media strategy to mindset tips. It makes even the most boring drives feel productive (and, let’s be honest, more interesting than “Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy” on repeat).
7. Affirmations with Coffee
Affirmations used to give me the ick. I thought they were cheesy and weird... until I found an app that made them actually enjoyable.
I use an app called "I Am"—it’s aesthetic AF, and it makes reading affirmations so easy while my espresso brews. No awkward mirror pep talks, just a few words that center me for the day. And honestly? It works.
8. Packing Lunch the Night Before
If it’s a daycare day, my little man needs a lunch. And I take so much pride in making it colorful, balanced, and fun (nutritionist mom things, lol).
But doing it at night instead of in the morning? TOTAL stress-reducer. No rushing, no last-minute “what do I even pack” panic. Just a cute little lunchbox ready to go.
Bonus: I’m trying to raise a kiddo with a healthy relationship with food—something I didn’t find until my mid-20s. So this little habit? It’s about so much more than just convenience.
9. Sunday Planning Session = Mom Brain Hack
For a while, I gave up having a planner (because newborn life). But recently, I brought back my Notion dashboard, and WOW—yep, still a game-changer.
Every Sunday, I spend 15-20 minutes adding:
📌 Work meetings, appointments, self-care musts.
📌 Our weekly meal plan (straight from my 6-week rotation!).
📌 A grocery order list so I don’t forget anything.
Then, I keep my Notion dashboard open on my computer while I work and check it on my phone when needed. So simple, but it keeps my mom brain in check all week.
The Takeaway? Small Habits = Big Difference.
If you’ve ever felt drained, overwhelmed, or constantly playing catch-up, I get it. That used to be me, too. But these small habits? They’ve helped me feel more energized, more in control, and way less mentally exhausted.
And the best part? They’re all super easy to start.
So tell me—what’s one small habit that’s changed your life? Drop it in the comments, because I’m always looking for new ways to make life a little easier. ❤️
