Lately, I’ve felt like my mind has turned into a kitchen junk drawer. You know the one—full of twist ties, expired coupons, a lone battery, and that key no one remembers the lock to. The thoughts, the to-dos, the mom guilt… it’s all jumbled together with barely room to breathe. It snuck up quietly, like clutter always does. One moment I’m answering emails and making dinner simultaneously, and the next I’m staring blankly at my own reflection wondering why I walked into the room. Sound familiar?
As parents, we’re praised for multitasking—juggling work, home life, emotional labor, and the invisible weight of “shoulds.” But somewhere along the way, I realized that trying to do everything left my mind carrying everything, too.
So I’ve started the gentle work of decluttering. Not my pantry. Not the playroom. But my own thoughts.
Here’s My Action Plan To Help Me Breathe Again
One Thought at a Time
Instead of holding every worry in my brain like it’s a survival kit, I will sit down and write out three things that need my energy today. Just three. The rest can wait. Of course, this list would not include my work duties as that could easily reach the three a day. But to find a balance between all the different hats I wear for all those around me.
Tech-Free Mornings
This one might be harder for me as I love to keep the engagement with my followers, friends and family. However, I will start each day without my phone. I will let the silence fill the room before chaos wakes up and the whole morning routine starts. That quiet moment where I can eat my breakfast and have my warm sips of coffee, I will hold sacred.
Naming My Feelings
Before I get swept into a tide of frustration or fatigue, I will pause and ask, What am I feeling right now? And I name it. Just naming it slows the spiral. It can also help pinpoint what is causing those feelings so I can later on rectify so that I am not feeling that way again.
When those feelings get overwhelming, I will just play some music and dance like no one is watching. It is amazing how much music can move our souls.
Nature Therapy
We are surrounded by nature, even if we need to travel a little bit out of our area to find it. I realized very recently that being in nature, is very theraputic. I need to do more of that to help clear my mind as I find it is a reset button for us. That burst of fresh air, a cloud drifting overhead, birds singing in a tree. It’s grounding. This is why I truly enjoy my longer walks (when the weather isn’t as hot for our French Bulldog) with Tyson.
Forgiving Myself
For the undone tasks, not being able to read a friend’s mind, or for just losing my temper. I remind myself: I am doing the best I can with what I have. And that is enough. I realized I just can’t be there for everyone at every moment and that is ok. I should be able to forgive myself first and be kinder.
Why This Matters for Us Parents
A cluttered mind doesn’t just affect us—it trickles into how we show up for our children. When our thoughts are tangled, our patience thins. When we’re overwhelmed, empathy takes a back seat. And yet, when we nurture ourselves, we gift our kids a parent who responds, not reacts. Who sees, not just manages.
Here at Momma Braga, we believe in raising children with intentional love—and that begins with giving ourselves the love we so freely give away.
So if your thoughts feel heavy lately, I see you. You are not broken—you’re just tired. You’re still growing, still learning, still showing up even when it’s hard. That, dear friend, is the heartbeat of a beautiful parent.
Let’s unclutter together. One breath, one pause, one moment of kindness at a time.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
~ Momma Braga
