Some research shows an astounding 93% of mothers feel burned out today. By definition, “burnout is an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion.”
93% of moms are burned out. Can you relate?
I know exactly how you feel. I’ve experienced that overwhelming exhaustion from rushing between activities. I’ve felt drained from the endless battles over electronics that our kids seem glued to. At times, I’ve also struggled with feelings of inadequacy regarding my fashion sense and home decor, especially with the constant flood of inspiration from the internet and home improvement shows. I’ve often questioned whether I’m doing enough as a parent.
Parenting can feel like an exhausting race with a far-off completion date.
Step Away from Burnout
So, how do we step away from this losing battle? I believe the answer lies in this powerful quote by Melody Beattie:
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Did you catch the recurring theme? Gratitude.
Embracing Gratitude
Are you surprised? We shouldn’t be. Paul understood the importance of gratitude as he closed 1 Thessalonians with a list of instructions: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
When we embrace gratitude, our wants transform into thankfulness for what we already have. This shift helps reduce stress by focusing on our blessings instead of what we lack. Gratitude reveals that we all have enough—and often, more than enough.
Practically, this meant I deleted both the Facebook and Instagram apps from my phone. Rather than spending my free time scrolling through what others are doing, I am now listening to a book about prayer and reading Scripture on the YouVersion app. A few years ago, we also disconnected our cable. Not only has this saved us a significant amount of money, but it has also freed me from constantly worrying about how my home isn’t “up to date” or the changes I “should” be making. I had no idea how much this was controlling my thoughts until I cut off access.
As you close this holiday season, I pray that you can build enjoyable ways to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and deepen your understanding of a God who delights in providing for His children.
Now is the time to order your 2025 Be Intentional Planner. The organization you love peppered with a new design each season, with blank space to create a growing list of gratitude for each week.
