When I Chose Joy Instead of Guilt: A Story for the Overwhelmed Mom

I almost stayed home that night. My daughter was at her dad’s. I had “free time.” But if you're a single mom, you know that "free time" often just means… catch-up time.

Groceries. Dishes. Cleaning. Laundry. Emails. Oh—and somewhere in there? My business. My dreams. My desire to feel something again.

I longed for connection, play, freedom—but instead, I usually chose responsibility. Guilt whispered in my ear: "You should get ahead." "You can't afford to fall behind." "You’ll be more stressed if you don’t catch up."

So, I stayed tired. And lonely. And quietly resentful.

But that night, something shifted.

I said: Fk it.**

I left the mess. The to-do list. The expectations.

I rolled the windows down, turned up my favorite EDM tracks from 2014 (you know the ones that make your soul dance?), and I drove to ecstatic dance.

And you know what happened?

I. Felt. Alive.

I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt like myself again.

Not "mom me." Not "cleaning-up-again me." But the real, deep-down me— The free-spirited 20-something, The artistic teen, The joyful little girl.

She came with me. She always wanted to.

You’re still in there too.

If you’re a mother who feels overwhelmed, disconnected, burnt out… If you miss the woman you used to be… If you wonder whether she’s even still there…

Let me remind you: she is. And she wants to be part of your life again.

You are not just a caretaker. You are a whole, radiant, creative human being. And when you remember her—you don’t just feel more joyful… You also feel more patient. More grounded. More like the kind of mom you want to be.

This is exactly what I help women rediscover in my coaching + Reiki program, “The Working Mom’s Guide to Peace.”

Through nervous system regulation, somatic practices, Reiki energy healing, and radical self-remembrance, I support moms in coming back home to themselves.

You don’t need to wait for the perfect time. Joy is always possible. You are still in there. Let’s find you again.

Click below to book a free consultation with me. I’d be honored to walk beside you on your journey back to peace and wholeness.

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With love and presence, 

Elizabeth