Unexpected Habits That Have Helped My Mental Health — Mom Edition

From a working mom.

1. Leaving the sink clean every night.

This seems so small, but waking up or coming home to a clean sink just feels good. Also, if my sink is full of dirty dishes it just makes me not want to cook. I also hand wash now, so things aren't left in my dishwasher for weeks and never being put up.

2. Washing and putting up at least one load of laundry a night.

This can seem overwhelming, especially if you have tons of laundry. Taking a big task and breaking it down makes it easier for you to finish. So, just washing, drying, and putting it up when I head up for bed feels like less work.

3. Cooking dinner every night.

This seems like a huge ask, I know. Meal subscriptions have helped me stick to this. I also get some kind of satisfaction from cooking alone in the kitchen. This also helps with packing leftovers for lunch!

4. Picking up when I get home.

NOT CLEANING! Just picking up the cups left in the living room, small toys that need to be put back in their places!

5. Taking care of shopping during my lunch break at work.

Small things I know I need, I will pick up during lunch. Like prescriptions and things that can stay in the car while I finish work. This avoids me having to take my 4 year old in Walmart, us moms know how that goes. I also do grocery pick up after work, this makes getting home faster.

These small things have helped me get a routine down when I get home. I do these in a certain order, one that makes sense to me and also is most efficient. I get off at 4, and I can do all of this and still have time to relax with my family.

Kudos to all the working moms out there. You are all Super Heroes! Hope this helps!

-Ash