9 Small things to help reduce the daily Overwhelm

Often it feels like juggling a thousand priorities, and I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) that the key to keeping the overwhelm at bay is to lean into both practical strategies and God’s grace. Here are 10 ways I stay (mostly) sane and find joy in the chaos:

1. Plan the Week on Sunday Night

This has been the absolute game changer for me and the number 1 way I have taken more control of my time.

I sit down with my favourite planner, paper and a pen, and a quick prayer for wisdom. Mapping out meals, activities, and priorities for the week sets the tone for a smoother week. Bonus: fewer frantic mornings!

to find out more about the system i use, click here!

2. Do a Small Daily Cleaning Task
I MUCH prefer this to the cleaning piling up. I choose one small task each day (no more than 20 mins) to keep the house from turning into a complete disaster zone. (I mean theres still legos, toy cars are nerf bullets everywhere but you get the gist)

3. Build in a Guilt-Free Rest Day
Maybe this is a surprise but Sundays are NOT my sabbath. Yes we do church, family time etc BUT I found that I also do a lot of weekly planning, meal prep etc on a Sunday so I was never taking a full day. And I know that this maybe seems really normal these days but I as really challenged to take a FULL day of minimal responsibilities. So Saturday I dont clean, cooking is minimal/ prepared and I DONT feel bad about it!

4. Get Moving Daily (Even if It's Just 10 Minutes)
Movement helps me shake off stress, whether it’s a brisk walk, a dance party in the kitchen, or chasing the kids around. They think I’m playing, but I’m really sneaking in exercise.

5. Embrace the Power of Meal Prep
Meal prep doesn’t mean gourmet chef vibes. For me this is also a typical Sunday to do, I'll shop the pantry, decide dinners for the week, online shop, prep lunchbox snacks and have a plan so I’m not staring blankly into the fridge at 5 p.m.

6. Say No Without Guilt
Not every bake sale or playdate needs my attendance. I pray for discernment and remind myself that saying “no” to something means saying “yes” to what matters most. NO is OK!

7. Use a Timer for Tasks
Set a 10- or 15-minute timer to tackle clutter or make progress on a project. Knowing there’s an end in sight makes it easier to get started. I love doing the cleaning like this.... crank the tunes and see what i can get done in 15 minutes!

8. Keep a "Not Right Now" List
Whenever I think of something I want to do but don’t need to do, I jot it on a “not right now” list. It helps me let go of the pressure to do it all at once. This has been a HUGE battle for me but learning to prioritise has been key.

9. Start the Day with God
Even if it’s just five minutes before the kids wake up, I open my Bible, jot down a verse, or simply sit in His presence. I personally prefer a longer time of journalling and reading in the evenings but its still important to start my day with my attention towards God.

I hope some of these resonated with you and there a few you can try out in YOUR daily situations to see if they help!