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Running on Fumes & Hope: A Mom’s Guide to Surviving the Busiest Week Ever

 

At this point, I don’t even know how I’m still alive. It’s been one of those weeks—the kind that makes you question if time is real or if we’ve all just been living the same chaotic Monday on repeat.

The clock just struck midnight on Friday morning and I'm not too sure whether to call it a night or aluta-continua?

Both my kids are sick (because why wouldn’t they time their immune system meltdowns perfectly?), I have deadlines flying at me every 48 hours like heat-seeking missiles, and my daily classes are a blur of words that I think are English but might actually be gibberish at this point. My brain? Completely unresponsive. My body? Moving purely out of muscle memory. My spirit? Somewhere hovering over my body, watching the madness unfold like a reality show.

The Art of Mom Survival

Each morning, I wake up with a pep talk that sounds something like: You got this. You are strong. You are capable. And by 10 AM, I’m bargaining with the universe: Okay but what if I just lie down for five minutes and disappear into the carpet?

Between wiping noses & buns (:)), submitting assignments, breaking my own heart each time an email from my research supervisor pops up, preparing lectures, and keeping the house from looking like a crime scene, I have entered a level of exhaustion that should qualify me for some sort of medal. Or at least a lifetime supply of Woolies Soft Scoop vanilla ice cream.

The Great Brain Shutdown

You know that feeling when your phone overheats and shuts down to protect itself? That’s my brain. Except, instead of cooling off, it just decides to leave the chat mid-task. And I don't know if it's protecting me or itself FROM ME. I’ll be standing in the kitchen, fully prepared to make a cup of tea, and next thing I know, I’m holding the remote and staring into the fridge like it holds the answers to life.

I have emails I don’t remember sending, assignments I don’t recall submitting, and I may or may not have replied to my lecturer with “Thanks, love” out of pure autopilot. I won't even ask! If you’ve ever been so tired that you start doing bizarre things—like trying to unlock your house with your car keys—just know, I see you.

A Reminder to Be Gentle (Because We’re Not Machines)

Amidst the madness, I keep reminding myself of something Mpoomy’s Sunday nuggets said: Be gentle with yourself. Because, truly, this is the season where grace is needed the most. Some weeks, you’re on top of your game, thriving, organized, and in control. And other weeks? Other weeks, you’re just proud that everyone is still breathing, even if it means your toddler ate crackers for dinner and you sent a voice note that ended mid-sentence because your brain hit the eject button.

So, here’s to every one who is just making it work—chaotic, messy, imperfect, and somehow still standing. You are incredible. And if no one has told you today: You deserve a nap. And cake. Definitely cake.


Loads of Love,

Your mom friend in the middle of a silent meltdown. 

(...and Yes, I should most definitely be sleeping!)


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