Mental Health

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School starts in two weeks, and while most people are running around picking out cute backpacks and sneakers, I feel like I’ve been running a completely different kind of race — one that’s left me exhausted, worn out, and just praying for a break.

These past few weeks have been… a lot.

Not “oh, I’ve been a little busy” a lot. I mean the kind of “one thing after another” that makes you look at the calendar and wonder if you’ve accidentally signed up for some kind of life obstacle course.

It started with Hands, foot, and mouth disease. If you’ve never had the pleasure, let me just say — 0/10, do not recommend. Take care of yourselves it's going around! My toddler caught it first, and I thought I was in the clear until I woke up with the blisters on the hands and feet, fever, the whole nightmare. It’s one of those things you hear about as a “kid sickness” and think, oh, adults don’t really get that bad, right? Wrong. So wrong. Adults actually get it worse than the kids do, so again, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES. It's no joke. 

It knocked me out for days. My body hurt, my hands and feet felt like they were pins and needles on fire, and my energy was gone. And just when I thought I was finally starting to feel human again… then came the sinus infection. 

A week later, I got slammed with a sinus infection so bad, the kind where breathing through your nose is impossible, and you’re just living on tea, tissues, and the hope that you’ll one day taste food again. And now? Bronchitis, because of course. I cant help but laugh as Im typing this because I wish I was making this up, but no. Apparently all of this fun stems from that initial Hand, Foot, and Mouth infection. My immune system clearly said, you know what would make this month even more fun? Let’s throw in a lung problem.

So here I am, two weeks before school starts, coughing like a chain smoker, running on little sleep, and still trying to keep our home from completely falling apart. 

But guess what?

The thing about being a mom — especially a working mom — is that the world doesn’t stop when you’re sick. There’s still laundry to do, meals to make, appointments to keep, and little humans who need snacks, cuddles, and clean clothes.

And now on top of all that, I’m supposed to be in “back-to-school prep mode.” But between the doctor visits, the sick days, and just trying to survive the day-to-day, I feel like I haven’t even had the mental space to think about school supplies.

To be quite honest with you, this month has been so humbling for me. This whole year has been coming for me it feels like. Yes, I may feel like I cant catch a break but there are worse things that could be happening to me, and I am beyond grateful that they aren't. We still have a roof over our heads, and food in our bellies. Im grateful, just tired. 

If this past month has taught me anything, it’s this: I can’t do it all, and I don’t need to pretend I can.

  1. The laundry might not be folded right away.
  2. Dinner might be cereal or frozen waffles.
  3. Some emails might go unanswered for a few days.

And that’s okay.

I’ve had to give myself permission to slow down, to rest when I need it, and to accept that this is just a hard season. It doesn’t make me a bad mom, a bad employee, or a bad person. It makes me human.

In two weeks, the mornings will be earlier, the schedules will be tighter, and my days will be even more packed. This year, I’m aiming for realistic, not perfect.

If the shoes fit, the hair is brushed (or at least not sticking straight up), and the backpack is on — we’re calling it a win.

If you’re counting down the days until school starts and instead of feeling excited you’re just… overwhelmed? I see you. You’re not the only one limping toward that first day. Some seasons of motherhood aren’t about thriving — they’re about surviving.

And this month has been my reminder that survival is still success. We can’t pour from an empty cup, and sometimes the best thing we can do for our kids is show them what it looks like to take care of ourselves, even when life won’t slow down.

So yeah… two weeks until school starts. The house isn’t ready, my body isn’t 100%, and I’m still trying to get my energy back. But I know I’ll get there. One day at a time, one task at a time, one deep breath at a time.

And if you’re in the same boat? You will too. I know you will. 

With love,

The life of curls and chaos✨


Send me a message if you need someone to talk to. Im here💟

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