17. How to Break Free from Mom Guilt

Raise your hand if you feel guilty for saying no 👋.

(Raising my hand right there with you 🖐️)

Here’s the thing. Our feelings of guilt are actually signs that we care.

And as moms, it's like we have an additional layer of guilt if we have to say no to our kids.

What beliefs come up for you when you say no?

" I'm responsible for other people's happiness." 

"I'm supposed to give everything I have to everyone else, my time, my energy, my affection, my care, my concern, everything."

"Saying no to people will make them upset or angry."

"Doing things for myself is selfish."

☝️ You might not say these things to yourself, but you may act as if it's true. 

This week, we're tackling mom guilt and talking practical strategies to overcome the persistent feeling of failure, regardless of our efforts. 

We'll uncover the root thoughts and habits that fuel these guilty feelings and help you shift your mindset to create more peace, joy, and calm. This process is crucial for creating a life with sustainable standards and becoming positive role models for our children.

Here's what you'll learn today: 

• How I used to feel immense guilt when thinking about doing things differently or saying no. This guilt kept me stuck in unhealthy patterns.

• That much of the pressure we feel to be a certain way comes from inside our own minds and the unconscious beliefs we hold about ourselves.

• How we often spend time and energy on things that aren't absolutely necessary and don't bring us joy.

• Saying yes to everything comes at a high cost to our mental and physical health. 

• Guilt is not a stop sign, but rather a sign that we care. We need to get curious about our guilt, examine our beliefs, and realize that we're not responsible for other people's happiness. 

The #1 reason women cite as to why they don't look after themselves … guilt. Let's start to change this. 

If you're struggling with mom guilt, get in touch for solutions that work.

Timestamps:

00:00 Managing Mom Guilt—An Introduction
00:46 The Daily Grind and Guilt
02:02 Unrealistic Expectations and Self-Pressure
02:30 A Day in the Life of an Overwhelmed Mom
04:10 The Pressure to Be Perfect
05:43 Challenging Unconscious Thoughts
06:30 Evaluating Time and Energy Spent
07:27 The Difficulty of Saying No
09:23 Reevaluating Beliefs and Setting Boundaries
21:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts