Finding time for grocery shopping used to feel like a monumental task. With three kids in the house, I typically planned a big shopping trip before the weekend. Yet, something would always come up—whether it was a last-minute request for a school project, forgetting almond milk for my lactose-intolerant child, or my teenager’s sudden craving for sandwiches. Just one more task on my already overflowing plate felt like a precarious game of Jenga.
Now, with everything shut down and my kids’ schedules in complete disarray, you’d think I’d have a moment to catch my breath. But, instead, I’m experiencing a deeper level of exhaustion. I know many of you can relate.
I bet you’re still waking up just as early as before, but now you’re faced with the uncertainty of what the day will bring. How will you juggle work while keeping your kids engaged? How can you maintain patience while helping your third grader with schoolwork? How do you manage to gather enough supplies without risking health at the grocery store?
This is only the tip of the iceberg. We’re now grappling with a new kind of fatigue, fellow moms.
Before this pandemic, daily responsibilities felt overwhelming. Now, we’re trying to adapt to a bizarre reality that we never signed up for. The ongoing uncertainty looms large, and we find ourselves constantly managing the smallest details of our lives. Every item we bring into the house requires thoughtful handling to avoid spreading germs. If we go for a walk, we must ensure our kids maintain distance from neighborhood friends. And spontaneous trips for aspirin or ice cream have become relics of the past. The mere act of stepping into a grocery store can fill you with dread.
For those of us still working, the long-term implications of this pandemic are troubling. The future is unclear, and financial stability feels precarious as unemployment lines grow longer.
We’re also trying to comfort our children, who may be feeling restless or isolated, and we worry about our teens’ mental well-being. With no interaction beyond family, are they getting enough social engagement?
As mothers, we strive to stay informed, yet the news often brings more anxiety. It’s tough to balance the weight of expectations, feeling guilty for not being the mom who has everything color-coded and perfectly organized.
Clearly, COVID-19 is a formidable challenge. We’re in a long battle, managing multiple roles—moms, teachers, employees—all while dealing with the confinement of our homes.
Burnout was already a concern, but this situation has escalated it to an unprecedented level. Just because we have fewer outside obligations doesn’t mean our responsibilities have lessened. In fact, our tasks have multiplied, and many of our coping mechanisms—like yoga classes or coffee breaks—are no longer available.
If you’re feeling completely drained, remember that you are carrying a significant emotional burden. Your decisions revolve around keeping your family safe, maintaining a sense of normalcy, and figuring out how to navigate the financial implications of this crisis. This mental load can be overwhelming.
You will have moments of feeling less than okay—irritability, overwhelm, and a desire for space from your children are all normal reactions.
So, what can you do to ease the burden? An article from the BBC suggests finding what feels right for you. If productivity is your goal, fantastic. But if scrolling through social media filled with “inspiration” leaves you feeling inadequate, take a break. Your mental health should take precedence. Remember, as Elizabeth Yuko, a professor in bioethics, pointed out, “By staying in our houses, we’re doing something positive.”
You can read more about similar experiences in one of our other blog posts here.
If you’re interested in enhancing your family planning journey, check out this resource for expert insights. Also, Progyny offers excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the pandemic has transformed our lives in ways we never anticipated. While we may have fewer external obligations, the internal pressures and mental fatigue have intensified. Acknowledging this reality is part of the journey toward finding balance and self-care.
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