I remember the season vividly. The laundry was piling up, my toddler was refusing naps, and we were stuck eating the same three meals over and over again. I was drowning in the overwhelming pressure of motherhood, battling postpartum anxiety, and feeling triggered by the constant mess and toddler conflict. The endless to-do list felt impossible to tackle, and my mind raced with all the things I wasn’t getting done.
Slowing down? Unhurrying my motherhood? It sounded beautiful, but felt impossible. And yet, deep in my soul, I knew something had to change. I longed for peace in the everyday moments, for a rhythm that allowed me to catch my breath.
It didn’t happen all at once. Learning to create rhythms that support slow living was hard. It took time. But slowly, I began to make space for rest and a gentle pace in my day-to-day life.
If you’re feeling like every moment is urgent, like slowing down is something other people do, but not you—I get it. But I also want to share some practical ways I’ve learned to unhurry my motherhood, even in the thick of toddler years. Here are some ways you can start creating margin, reclaiming your peace, and making space for rest—even when the laundry piles up and the dishes seem endless.
10 Practical Ways to Unhurry Your Motherhood
1. Focus on the Top 3 Priorities Each Day
Ask yourself: What has to be done today? Not everything is urgent, and not every task needs to be done today. Some things can wait. Identifying the things that can wait until tomorrow (or next week) and determining what is actually in your top priorities today will help you have perspective on what you can release for this season of motherhood.
Ask yourself: What has to be done today? Not everything is urgent, and not every task needs to be done today. Some things can wait. Identifying the things that can wait until tomorrow (or next week) and determining what is actually in your top priorities today will help you have perspective on what you can release for this season of motherhood.
Yes, there are more than three really important things. But knowing what makes the very top of your list will give you perspective for those things that feel important, but aren't the most important thing.
2. Say “No” to Extras
We often feel pressure to say yes to every opportunity, every playdate, or every church event, but it’s okay to say no to good things so you can protect your peace. Every yes to something extra is a no to the slower, more meaningful moments at home. Protect your time and energy. Along with that, prioritize the extras that you want to say yes to when you have capacity to do so. A playdate with your best friend and her kiddos may be more life-giving than a playdate with the mom you met at toddler day at the library three weeks ago.
We often feel pressure to say yes to every opportunity, every playdate, or every church event, but it’s okay to say no to good things so you can protect your peace. Every yes to something extra is a no to the slower, more meaningful moments at home. Protect your time and energy. Along with that, prioritize the extras that you want to say yes to when you have capacity to do so. A playdate with your best friend and her kiddos may be more life-giving than a playdate with the mom you met at toddler day at the library three weeks ago.
3. Let Go of Over-Scheduling
Your toddler doesn’t need a jam-packed schedule of activities. One or two simple outings each week is more than enough. Slow down by staying home more often, and give your child (and yourself) space to play, rest, and just be without rushing to the next thing. Also consider that your most important leadership role is within the walls of your home. While some other moms may have the robust capacity and ability to lead in their churches or communities in this season, it's okay if you don't. Stepping away from good leadership opportunities in order to cultivate a sustainable and peaceful leadership in your home is a good thing.
Your toddler doesn’t need a jam-packed schedule of activities. One or two simple outings each week is more than enough. Slow down by staying home more often, and give your child (and yourself) space to play, rest, and just be without rushing to the next thing. Also consider that your most important leadership role is within the walls of your home. While some other moms may have the robust capacity and ability to lead in their churches or communities in this season, it's okay if you don't. Stepping away from good leadership opportunities in order to cultivate a sustainable and peaceful leadership in your home is a good thing.
4. Make Nap Time Your "Rest or Reset" Time
Instead of jumping right into chores, take 5 minutes for yourself first.
✨ Inhale hope.
✨ Exhale peace.
Care for your physical needs: drink a large glass of water, eat a protein-rich snack, sit in the quiet for 5-10 minutes, and then tackle the most pressing task, if it is something that must be done. Or simply rest if that’s what you need most.
5. Micro Rest Breaks + Intentional Rhythms of Rest
Throughout your day, when you notice the stress building, take micro-rest breaks. Even a minute of deep breathing or quiet time while you fold laundry can help you re-center. Additionally, Build in 15-30 minutes each day where you stop and just BE. Even with toddlers, invite them to rest with you—read a book, snuggle, watch the clouds, practice deep breathing. Listen to a quiet story (app or podcast) while you lay together.
Throughout your day, when you notice the stress building, take micro-rest breaks. Even a minute of deep breathing or quiet time while you fold laundry can help you re-center. Additionally, Build in 15-30 minutes each day where you stop and just BE. Even with toddlers, invite them to rest with you—read a book, snuggle, watch the clouds, practice deep breathing. Listen to a quiet story (app or podcast) while you lay together.
6. Simplify Meals
Your toddler will not remember if they ate spaghetti three nights this week. But the moments you’re fully present with them, unruffled and at peace because you chose to simplify (for a season) menu planning - while they may not consciously remember it, it will lay a foundation of deep trust and secure attachment. (Your nervous system and theirs will benefit! Short term and long term!)
Choose easy, nutritious meals that you can repeat throughout the week. This frees up mental energy and time for what really matters—being present with your kids.
7. Embrace the Mess
Your house doesn’t have to be picture-perfect. Let some messes linger and recognize that a spotless home isn’t a reflection of your worth as a mom. Your child won’t remember how clean the floors were, and most likely, you won't remember how many days you went between sweeping!
Your house doesn’t have to be picture-perfect. Let some messes linger and recognize that a spotless home isn’t a reflection of your worth as a mom. Your child won’t remember how clean the floors were, and most likely, you won't remember how many days you went between sweeping!
If you *really* want to cultivate an unhurried motherhood (and work towards recovering from perfectionism), be willing for your closest friends to see your house as it is - lived in and loved in. Including the stack of mail on the desk, the dishes you left on the drying mat that haven’t gotten put away, and the stack of cloth diapers piled up across the piano.
8. Batch Similar Tasks Together
When it comes to the prioritized things that must be done, batch them together by room. Then, either, bring your kiddos with you to that room and engage them in the tasks (gamify it if they need a little convincing to help, or have them dress up in super hero costumes and use their super powers for good! Or set them up in a 100% baby proof space for them to play independently while you work.
9. Ask for Help
If you can, delegate or ask for help with household tasks. Sometimes slowing down means acknowledging you can’t do it all—and you shouldn’t have to. If you can afford to delegate: provide someone a job who needs it! Housekeeper? Yard man? Meal planning service? Laundry service? Mother’s Helper?
If you can’t afford those services, this is an opportunity to lean into your support network of friends and family and allow them the blessing of serving someone they dearly love. Swap body-doubling with your best friend to get bigger weekly or monthly tasks done. Ask a someone you trust to care for your children while you batch bigger, more complicated tasks. Tell you mom you need help with the laundry.
We were created for community! And sharing each other’s burdens and meeting each other’s needs is literally what we’re called to do! In a few years, your turn will come to be more of a helper than a receiver. Let yourself receive in this season.
10. Communicate with Your Spouse
Talk with your spouse about the invisible mental load of managing the home, especially if you feel overwhelmed. Let him know if you’re letting go of some goals or commitments and need his support to make this shift sustainable. You’re a team, and sharing the load can help create more peace for everyone.
Talk with your spouse about the invisible mental load of managing the home, especially if you feel overwhelmed. Let him know if you’re letting go of some goals or commitments and need his support to make this shift sustainable. You’re a team, and sharing the load can help create more peace for everyone.
You Don’t Have to Hurry
Slowing down in motherhood is possible, but it requires intentionality and grace—both for yourself and your family. It’s not about getting everything done or doing it perfectly. It’s about creating a rhythm that lets you move at a pace that brings peace to your heart, your home, and your little ones.
Let’s breathe deep, mama. We can slow down, one small step at a time. 💛
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