5 Tips to Calm Your Crazy

Are you a Mother Hustler? Follow along with columnist and mompreneur Janelle Perrilliat for tips and tricks written by a hard-working lady like you, for you.

There’s a thin line between sanity and hysteria, especially when you’re raising babies and birthing a business. There is always a daunting task at hand, a fire to put out or a wound to heal with a magical kiss. You triumph repeatedly, occasionally tumbling but always rising and ready to prevail. While it may appear to others that your daily routine is carried out in the most Beyonce-ish manner of flawlessness, your balancing act is questionable and maintaining your mental health is a feat. These five tips will help you to keep it moving onward. Like a boss.

Establish a daily mantra

Start your day in a calm quiet state of peaceful meditation. According to Deepak Chopra, a mantra is “an instrument of the mind, a powerful sound or vibration that you can use to enter a deep state of meditation.” My current mantra is courtesy of Dory of Finding Nemo fame, “Just keep swimming”. These three words give me the motivation I need to start my day and the relief I need throughout it. If quiet mornings aren’t found in your household and you’re unable to meditate, add a shot of espresso or liquor (no judgment) to your morning cup of joe, and utilize your mantra in the midst of your daily crisis.

Be meticulous when scheduling

I don’t know what I would do without my calendars. Yes, plural! I carry a physical calendar with me at all times, but I also schedule things on my smartphone’s calendar mainly for the purpose of receiving an audible alert. Between the two, I’m able to keep all plans in perspective and proceed accordingly. My house, car, and workspace may not be very organized, but my plans always are. I list the chore or event, the length of time I’ve allotted and I jot down notes regarding anything relevant to keeping me on task. It helps me to be far more productive when my weeks, days, and sometimes hours are planned out in advance.

Take a break

Schedule your breaks too! Downtime is something serious. Breaks don’t have to be moments of nothingness, but it can be if that’s what you prefer. Being a mom and a business owner, I find peace in the simplest moment of silence. Do whatever you find pleasure in doing. Work on your hobby, veg out on a marathon of your favorite tv show, or step outdoors and take a brisk walk. Time at the gym has become my fortress of solitude. I can clear my mind and work my glutes at the same damn time.

Go with the flow

Lower your expectations for order, pleasant aromas, and pretty things. If you don’t expect it and it happens, it’s a pleasant surprise. But if you expect it and it doesn’t happen it can send you into a downward spiral. You’re a mom now. I’m sure during your pregnancy you made a plethora of promises to not let yourself go, to maintain your fashion forward lifestyle, and you’ll still hang out with your friends. Now here you are looking a hot mess and no matter how many candles you light your nose hairs are still singed with the smell of the last poopy diaper you changed. Kids will break, piss, and poop on your pretty things. Go with the flow. You can’t control everything, so stop trying.

Learn to say no

I cannot stress to you enough how saying “no” can change your life. I must admit, I still struggle with uttering one of the simplest words in the English language. We’re so used to being everything for everybody that we tend to neglect ourselves. Don’t obligate yourself to things you’d rather not be a part of. Choose wisely and stand firm in your decision. If you’re not comfortable being firm respond by saying, “Let me check my calendar and get back to you”. That’ll give you an opportunity to determine if you really have the time to take on the task or give you the chance to compile your response. You’re either a mom or a business owner, or both. You shouldn’t feel pressured into adding more chaos to your already busy schedule. People can’t drive you crazy unless you give them the keys.

Life is stressful and unpredictable. Crazy is inevitable. You have the power to tame the beast. In the words of J.K. Rowling, “Don’t worry. You’re just as sane as I am”.