10 Game-Changing Habits That Will Help You THRIVE in Motherhood
Motherhood is AMAZING but it also has a way of turning life upside down. When I became a mom, I was overjoyed but instantly I felt overwhelmed by the constant demands and expectations—often at the expense of my own well-being. I found myself in survival mode, barely keeping my head above water. But then, I realized something important: I didn’t have to just survive. I could thrive.
It didn’t happen overnight, but by adopting a few simple habits, I transformed my experience as a mom, regaining my energy, joy, and sense of self. If you’re feeling drained, stuck in autopilot, or like you’ve lost sight of who you are outside of motherhood, these 10 game-changing habits can help you, too.
1. Prioritize Yourself Without Guilt
For the longest time, I felt guilty taking time for myself. I thought being a good mom meant putting everyone else first, even if it left me exhausted. But I realized that when I take care of me, I show up as a better mom for my kids.
Now, I make time for things that fuel me—whether it’s a solo grocery trip, a workout, or just sitting in silence for five minutes. Giving yourself permission to matter is a game-changer in motherhood.
2. Redefine “Healthy” in a Way That Works for You
I used to think healthy eating was all about cutting out "bad" foods, but that mindset only made me feel deprived. Instead, I shifted my focus to adding more nourishing foods that made me feel good.
Now, I keep it simple:
🥑 Prioritize whole, unprocessed foods
🍫 Enjoy healthy treats without guilt
🥗 Choose meals that fuel me instead of drain me— lots of protein!
Once I stopped overcomplicating it, eating well became so much easier.
3. Create a Morning Moment (Even if It’s Just 5 Minutes)
I used to roll out of bed straight into chaos—kids needing me, breakfast demands, and the feeling that I was already behind. But carving out time, even if its only five minutes before the madness starts completely changed how I show up for the day.
Now, I make sure to have a small morning ritual,that might looking something like this:
☕ Drinking my coffee before anyone asks for something
Listening to a guided meditation/affirmation audio.
🧘♀️ Taking a deep breath in fresh air before diving into mom mode
These tiny shifts have made my mornings so much more intentional.
4. Shift Out of Survival Mode One Small Habit at a Time
For years, I lived in reaction mode—constantly overwhelmed, never getting ahead, and feeling like I was drowning in responsibilities. I thought this was just how motherhood had to be.
But I started making small changes:
✅ Prepping easy meals to avoid last-minute stress
✅ Setting realistic expectations for my day
✅ Allowing myself grace instead of trying to do it all perfectly
When I stopped trying to keep up with unrealistic standards and focused on what actually worked for my family, everything felt lighter.
5. Start Before You Feel Ready
I spent so long waiting to feel “ready” before doing things that scared me—starting a side gig, making time for my passions, even just prioritizing myself. But the truth is, you’ll never feel 100% ready.
The moment I stopped waiting and just went for it, I felt alive again. Motherhood doesn’t mean putting your dreams on hold forever. If something is tugging at your heart, start now—even if it’s messy.
See related post : How Starting a Side Gig as a Stay at home Mom Gave Me More than Just Extra Income—It Gave Me Me Back
6. Find Support & Let People In
I used to believe I had to do everything on my own—handle the house, the kids, the endless to-do lists. For a few years with my little ones, I really was doing it all– my husband worked away for 20 days at a time so I felt like I had to be super mom all the time. Asking for help felt like failure. But the truth? Motherhood isn’t meant to be a solo journey.
Now, I lean on my people:
🙋♀️ Asking for help without guilt
💬 Connecting with other moms who get it
❤️ Giving myself permission to not have all the answers
Building a support system has been one of the most freeing things I’ve ever done.
7. Move Your Body Every Day (Even for Just 5 Minutes)
I used to think workouts had to be intense or long to "count," but I realized movement is about feeling good, not punishing my body.
Some simple ways I fit movement into my day:
🚶♀️ A nice walk outside either early in the morning or with the kiddos
🧘♀️ Stretching or yoga while my kids play
Jumping on my fitness rebounder before the kids wake up.
🎶 Dance parties in the kitchen
Movement boosts your mood, energy, and helps you show up as the best version of yourself.
8. Protect Your Energy
Not everything and everyone deserves your energy, and I have really leaned into this as I have gotten older and added multiple kids to our family. I had to learn to:
✔ Limit negativity (social media, draining conversations, toxic relationships)
✔ Say no without guilt
✔ Prioritize what actually matters to me
Once I did, I felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulder and felt at peace.
9. Get Outside Daily
Nature is one of the best (and free!) ways to reset your mind and body. I started making it a priority to get outside every day, even if just for 10 minutes.
🌿 Fresh air helps clear your mind
🌞 Sunlight boosts your mood and energy and helps with your circadian rhythm – i notice I sleep like a baby when I add this in.
👣 Walking barefoot (grounding) reduces stress and has SO many benefits. Will do a blog post on this in the future for sure.
This simple habit brought me so much more clarity and calm.
10. Stop Waiting for "Someday"
I used to tell myself I’ll start when life slows down... when I have more time... when I feel ready. But the truth is, life doesn’t slow down, until you set this intention for yourself. Getting rid of the things in life that do not serve you anymore will help open this path up entirely. Like shutting down the social media for a bit— this made life slow down SO much and i noticed myself being more present and ready to dive in to things that im more passionate about.
Whether it’s taking care of your health, starting a passion project, or making space for joy in your daily life—start now. Even in small ways. Even if it’s messy.
The moment I stopped waiting and just went for it, everything changed.
Ready to Thrive?
If you’re feeling inspired by these habits and want a clear, simple framework to start thriving in your motherhood journey, I’ve got something special for you. My mini-course, “From Surviving to Thriving in Motherhood,” will walk you through practical strategies and mindsets to help you make the shift.
You’ll learn how to prioritize yourself without guilt, create sustainable habits, and feel more alive as a mom. Click [here] to get started on your journey to thriving!
By embracing these habits, I found a version of motherhood that’s more joyful, intentional, and fulfilling. Remember, thriving isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Start small, be kind to yourself, and enjoy the journey. You’ve got this. 💖