The Exhaustion of Being Exhausted: A Reminder to Breathe

I can’t tell if I’m tired from the routine itself or just tired of being tired. Lately, exhaustion feels like an identity, something I carry like an overpacked purse—too heavy, too full, but somehow still necessary. It’s the weight of stress, of schedules, of demands, of responsibilities that never seem to take a break, even when I desperately need one.

I don’t need to explain it to you—you already know. The endless cycle of school drop-offs, meal prep, cooking, cleaning, work, emails, deadlines, remembering Spirit Week themes, keeping track of school supplies, planning for Easter, and making sure everyone has what they need before they even know they need it. It’s the mental load that never stops, the silent weight of carrying everything, for everyone, all the time.

And in the middle of it all, we forget ourselves.

The Pillar That Holds It All Together

We, as mothers, as women, as the backbone of our homes, spend our days making sure everything and everyone is taken care of. We are the roots of the family tree, watering it, nurturing it, ensuring it stands tall and strong. But what happens when the roots begin to wither? What happens when the pillar holding it all together is barely standing?

I’ve been having these recurring dreams—sometimes nightmares—of falling. Falling under the pressure, falling behind, falling into the never-ending exhaustion of it all. I wake up feeling like I never slept, my mind already racing before my feet even touch the ground.

And yet, taking time for myself feels guilt-ridden, as if stopping for even a moment will cause everything to collapse.

But here’s the truth: It won’t.

It’s Okay to Stop

It’s okay to take five minutes to just breathe. Five minutes to sit in silence, to stare at the wall if that’s what it takes, to let your mind rest instead of constantly running a mental checklist of What’s Next? It’s okay to say, Figure out dinner yourselves tonight, and trust that no one will starve. It’s okay that the laundry sits unfolded for another day, that the floors aren’t spotless, that the house isn’t Pinterest-perfect when someone drops by unannounced.

We do not live in social media worlds where everything is pristine and perfectly curated. That’s a lie. And it’s time we stop lying to ourselves.

We are human. Imperfectly perfect. And we deserve rest, too.

Take the Break Before It Takes You

So, if you’re reading this while juggling ten other things, take a deep breath—right now. Pause. Inhale. Exhale.

You are the pillar of your family, but even pillars need reinforcement. Even the strongest foundations require maintenance. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and you are not failing by needing a break.

Rest. Breathe. Take time for you. Because the better you are—mentally, emotionally, and physically—the better you can show up for the people who need you most.

And that? That is enough.