There was a time I tried to do it all: perfect meals, a perfectly clean house, a perfectly timed schedule—everything perfect.

I was exhausted. Constantly overwhelmed. And honestly, tired of the pressure.

Something had to change. So I started letting go—of perfection, of expectations, of mom guilt and of the things that didn’t actually serve my family or me.

When I stopped doing these five things, something shifted. I found more peace, more presence, and even more joy in motherhood.

1. I Stopped Cleaning All Weekend

I used to spend all weekend deep cleaning. Trying to get the kids involved was hard. And even when the house looked great (for maybe a day), I was drained—physically and emotionally.

And let’s be honest… I don’t even like cleaning.

Now? We keep up with things during the week—simple resets, small routines—and save our weekends for connection and fun.

Like today: as I write this, we’re headed to the beach, chatting as a family. And the house is good enough.

💡 Letting go of perfection made room for connection.

2. I No Longer Cook Every Night

I used to cook dinner every single night because I thought I was supposed to. But between last-minute store runs, busy schedules and late nights, I realized I was spending way too much time, energy and money.

Once I started meal planning and prepping, life got lighter. I still cook—but not every night. We eat leftovers. We keep it simple. And it works wonderfully.

Now, mealtime is about spending time with my family and enjoying a few moments of peace—not standing over a stove every night.

💡 Letting go of control around food made meal time less stressful and more enjoyable.

3. I No Longer Say Yes to Everything

This was the first thing I let go of—and maybe the most freeing.

Saying yes to everything drained me. Events, playdates, volunteering, last-minute invitations—I used to say yes out of guilt or fear of missing out. But every “yes” took away from my family and left me burned out.

Now, I protect our peace. I say yes to what aligns with our values and no to what leads to overwhelm. I’ve learned that “no” can be holy. And sometimes, saying no gives someone else the chance to say yes.

💡 Letting go of people-pleasing made space for intentional living.

4. I No Longer Micromanage My Kids’ Every Move

I used to hover. I wanted things done “right” (read: my way). So I corrected, stepped in and over-managed even the smallest tasks, constantly nagging them.

Now, I step back. I let them figure things out, even if it’s messy, slow or not how I would do it. It’s not always easy—but it’s been worth it.

They’re learning to think, to try, to grow. And I’m learning to trust the process.

💡 Letting go of micromanaging has built their confidence—and my peace.

5. I No Longer Compare Myself

This one’s still a work in progress—but I’ve made real growth.

I parent differently than my mom, my sisters or most of the moms I know. That’s because our story is different. I’m an older mom. Our kids came through adoption. Our journey is layered—and ours.

Lately, I’ve stopped comparing our life to anyone else’s. We celebrate our own wins:
💗 A day with no meltdowns
💗 A child reading a full page without help
💗 A room cleaned up (with only a little complaining)

Our pace is different. Our progress is real. And our story is beautiful—even if no one else sees it.

💡 Letting go of comparison allowed me to truly love and enjoy the life we’re building.

💗 Final Thoughts

I didn’t give up—I just stopped carrying what wasn’t mine to hold.
I chose what mattered most and released what didn’t.

So if you’re feeling the weight of trying to “do it all,” maybe it’s time to ask:
What can I let go of to live more fully right where I am?

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Love and Support,