Things I Learned // What Busy Moms Don’t Talk About

busy moms

Women are busy these days. Sometimes too busy for their own good, particularly when you’re a Mom. I am one of those women. It seems that because we are so busy, we forget or ignore or just simply avoid taking the time to talk about some of the real issues we are faced with. Most importantly, I wanted to shed some light on what I believe all woman should feel comfortable sharing for the betterment of others.

We can’t do it all.

There. I said it. We really try to do it all. Partly because it feels good when we’ve accomplished something, we try our best to do just about everything. It’s not for not wanting to say ‘no’ as much as it is that our plates are full – home, kids, work, projects, meetings, after school activities, family gatherings, time with friends, planning for time away, actual time away, the unpacking and cleaning after coming back from being away – the cycle continues. I believe it’s time we feel okay with saying to someone – “We can’t do it all”, and we are still good mother’s! One way to manage what we to want to do is creating a time and task calendar. I use the Uncalendar for organizing my teaching schedule, and now also use one for my personal life! It is a true game changer! So even though we can’t do it all, we can at least have a place to manage all that we can do and want to do.

busy moms

We eat the burnt toast. (Sometime’s literally!)

That’s right, the burnt toast! How many of you make sure everything is great for everyone else before it’s great for yourself? We know we deserve better, but we seldom do it or too busy to do it. We let the coffee get cold, are too busy to indulge in the fancy and shiny things for ourselves, or don’t do date night as much as we would like (and probably need!) to. I am guilty of that more than I’d like to admit. We know we want the nice things, the good things, things that make us feel great. Moms also don’t talk about the changes in their bodies that keep them from feeling great. Not everyone tells a Mom that with a new baby also comes some things not as wonderful or precious – like bladder leaks! Exactly! I recently was invited to an event by the Always brand to discover one of their new products that help women feel their best. It had me thinking about what it meant for women who suffer from issues that they are too embarrassed to talk about, and how they let it go on without speaking to anyone about it. They feel forced to settle for the “burnt toast”.  I don’t personally suffer from incontinence, but as one of the most natural experiences a woman can have after childbirth or at an older age, no women should have to settle for uncomfortable and ugly underwear that denies her feeling good about herself.  

Did you know 1 in 3 women experience bladder leaks1? I had no idea. It’s not at all uncommon – so why aren’t more moms and women talking about it? The Always Discreet brand let us know that a common complaint from women who experience bladder leaks is there are no stylish options to help protect them. In fact, 2 in 3 women that have tried bladder leak underwear avoid wearing them all together, even when they know they need them2 (settling for that burnt toast!).  At the event, I learned that the Always Discreet brand decided to address the issue for women dealing with incontinence by creating the Always Discreet Boutique underwear, to restore their confidence and make sure woman are putting themselves first and not settling for the burnt toast when it comes to our health.  It’s time Mom’s put themselves first, feel good about doing it, and continue to do the things they love without fear of leaks!  To be able to wear pretty underwear that not only looks good, but solves all of those little problems some women never want to discuss. It’s time you put yourself first, feel feel good about doing it, and go out on date night without any worry! Hint, hint!

 This innovative new product was created after the Alway brand spoke to, and learned from, thousands of real women who experience bladder leaks and feel there shouldn’t have to be a tradeoff between maximum protection and a product that makes them feel beautiful. I also recently learned that 77% of women say the idea of wearing bladder leak underwear makes them feel older than they would like to feel. One of the Always Discreet Boutique scientist actually emptied an entire beaker’s worth of water onto the core of the product. While the core looks and felt very thin, it was able to hold to entire amount of liquid AND feel dry to the touch in seconds. The leading competitors on the market didn’t hold nearly as much liquid and certainly weren’t as dry. Check out the Always Discreet Boutique to see what I mean.

busy moms

busy moms

We deal with anxiety.

Recently, I have started to see an increase in Instagram posts from women that I admire and follow about their struggle with anxiety. I appreciate their candor, because if more of us share stories of what causes our anxiety, we’ll know there is a larger support system out there from women we admire. There are varying degrees of anxiety. And while I am no psychologist, I do know that anxiety can be triggered by stress, past experiences or other factors. For me, anxiety is something I only started to experience more after losing my daughter, just 3 years ago tomorrow. It creeps up when I am overwhelmed by too much to do and need a moment to stop myself. It’s those brief bursts of panic that many women deal with, and we don’t do enough of talking about it. We need to recognize it happens and that we are not alone. One way to deal with moments of overwhelmingness has been the Breathe app. I found it only after receiving the new Apple Watch 3 for my birthday. I love using it to help feel centered and to take a moment for myself without the rush of the day or the regret of taking a moment to pause the chaos around me!

busy moms

busy moms

busy moms

busy moms

Thank you so much for reading! And thank you to Always Discreet for partnering on this post!

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1Fem Care AI analysis – “Nielsen Homescan Panel ending March 2012 looking at Fem Care purchases in HH 50+ that have no teenagers at home.” 2The Always Discreet Boutique Online Study was conducted by MSLGROUP Research.

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44 Comments

  1. December 10, 2017 / 10:54 pm

    Love this post! I am not a mom, but I can definitely relate to the idea of learning to say no. We may think we can do it all, but that’s just not realistic. I also struggle with anxiety, and it can definitely affect your everyday life if not treated properly. It needs to be talked about more!

    -Tristan

  2. December 10, 2017 / 10:54 pm

    We are so saddened to hear about your daughter. Thank you so much for being so willing to share your struggles with anxiety. As moms we totally understand how hard it truly is.

  3. December 10, 2017 / 10:51 pm

    Loving and appreciating the realness of this post!

  4. sarah tripp
    December 10, 2017 / 6:04 pm

    Thanks for sharing lady! Such a real, honest post

  5. Sara
    December 10, 2017 / 4:55 pm

    I love your honest and raw thoughts and this post reminded me of how much appreciation I have for my own mama and my mama friends!

    xo, Sara

  6. December 10, 2017 / 12:52 pm

    I definitely struggle with anxiety myself, to the point where it’s affecting my health. Definitely love hearing that I am not alone and other women struggle with this.

  7. December 10, 2017 / 12:20 am

    I love your honesty in this post. It’s so important that all women are open and honest about the things we face.

  8. December 8, 2017 / 4:13 pm

    I love “we eat the burnt toast” as this is soooo true, lol!

    • Jess
      Author
      December 9, 2017 / 6:09 pm

      It’s the closest metaphor I could come up with given what we do to ourselves sometimes as Moms!

  9. Anna English
    December 8, 2017 / 4:01 pm

    This is such a heartwarming and inspirational post! Love it!

  10. December 8, 2017 / 2:58 pm

    So much truth to this. I always wonder why some moms aren’t this honest and want to show everyone this perfect facade.

    • Jess
      Author
      December 9, 2017 / 6:09 pm

      I wonder the same thing sometimes! xo, Jessica

  11. December 8, 2017 / 12:11 pm

    Love this honesty!!!!

  12. Amy M Loochtan
    December 8, 2017 / 9:58 am

    i love this as an expectant momma!

    • Jess
      Author
      December 9, 2017 / 6:09 pm

      Thank you for stopping by! xo, Jessica

  13. December 6, 2017 / 1:56 pm

    You totally nailed it. We CAN’T do it all and thats okay. Thank goodness for good friends and community and tribes of women standing behind us!
    XOXO, Cassie Rea
    http://www.cassierea.com

    • Jess
      Author
      December 9, 2017 / 6:10 pm

      Thank you so much for saying that! I appreciate it so much! xo, Jessica

  14. December 6, 2017 / 12:40 pm

    I’m not a mom, but it’s always good to hear a mother’s perspective. And, I love your sunglasses.

  15. December 6, 2017 / 12:24 pm

    Such a beautiful post! Being a mom is a hard job! Love your insight. xo

  16. Maggie
    December 6, 2017 / 9:18 am

    Such a great post! Being a mom is the hardest job in the world!!

  17. December 6, 2017 / 8:03 am

    Love your honesty here – this is so true!

  18. December 5, 2017 / 7:21 am

    Such a good post and all so true! Thanks for opening up!

  19. maggie
    November 30, 2017 / 2:23 pm

    So glad you talked about this! I think a lot of people believe being a mom is so easy, but its not at all!

  20. November 30, 2017 / 10:05 am

    Your photography is SO gorgeous!

  21. Allison
    November 29, 2017 / 5:34 pm

    One reason I started running was to get away from my two kids — and so I don’t have to think about anything or do anything for anybody (besides giving me some “me-time.” Also, I have to wear Always discreet when doing it…

  22. November 29, 2017 / 11:24 am

    So glad you voiced the honest side of being a mom .. while its the most rewarding thing EVER, it’s also hard work!

    -Morgan
    How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com

  23. November 29, 2017 / 9:14 am

    Yes to all of this. I love that you shared this, it is all so true.

  24. Ashley DTKAustin
    November 28, 2017 / 10:25 pm

    You are amazing for being so open and talking about your struggles! You are an amazing woman and am so amazing what mom’s can accomplish!!

  25. Ashley
    November 28, 2017 / 6:54 pm

    Such a great post! Such a great way to support other mamas out there! Being a mom is like being a superhero!!

  26. Ruthie Ridley
    November 28, 2017 / 2:31 pm

    This is so good mama!! We where many hats and hare heavily relied upon.

  27. November 28, 2017 / 1:29 pm

    OH how I love this post. Honesty is key! Way to show support for other moms!

  28. November 28, 2017 / 11:17 am

    You’re so right! We can’t do it all!

  29. November 28, 2017 / 9:36 am

    Love this! I seriously don’t know how moms juggle it all!

  30. Shelby Back
    November 28, 2017 / 9:24 am

    moms are seriously superheros! thanks for sharing!

    xo!
    Shelby

  31. November 28, 2017 / 9:14 am

    I loved this post! Beautifully written and a great reminder that, as a mom of 3, I can’t do it all and I don’t have to put so much pressure on myself. I took the last bite of my son’s breakfast this a.m. and neglected to make myself my own warm meal to start the day. I should and I will! Thank you for the reminder to take care of myself too! (and I love your style, btw!)

  32. November 28, 2017 / 9:07 am

    Thanks for sharing your own experiences with anxiety. I agree that it’s important for women to share their experiences and help others realise that they aren’t alone in facing such everyday obstacles.

  33. November 28, 2017 / 8:42 am

    It’s so hard to talk about these things and you do it in such a beautiful way. Thinking of you and sending love ?

  34. November 28, 2017 / 8:28 am

    This hits very close to home with my recent post about something women don’t talk about. It’s so hard to try to balance everything all while pretending that things are okay. Women are amazing beings and God knew what he was doing when he made us. I hope you find a solution to everything you’re dealing with so you can continue being the Queen of your Universe.

  35. November 28, 2017 / 8:05 am

    Great read and awesome photos! Burnt toast….if that sure isn’t my life story. Haha