At the beginning of the year, I often get super excited about all of my dreams and plans and goals. But as the year progresses (ahem, February), life just starts getting in the way and the monotony of pursuing and the doubts of failing start to creep in. In order to avoid burnout, here are a few tips I’ve learned throughout the for how to stay motivated as a stay at home mom.
You have all the best intentions. You write down all your goals. And you are determined – this time – to really stick to your resolutions, but for some reason, you never stay motivated.
Between the kids being sick, an unexpected work trip for your husband, and the car breaking down, you feel like you can never get ahead. You’re constantly playing catch-up when you had determined this would be your year to get organized and stop feeling so chaotic.
I want to let you in on my little secret to help you stay motivated from day to day even when you’re exhausted and overwhelmed!
This post was originally posted in 2019 and updated in Feb 2025 with a few of my favorite tips.
There are affiliate links in this post. This means when you click on a link and make a purchase, I might receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
The Secret to Staying Motivated for Tired Moms
This post is primarily for moms with young kids who are simply exhausted from trying to keep up, but somehow feel like there’s still something bigger out there for you. Something else you need to be doing in order to feel fulfillment.
Although it’s geared towards stay at home moms, working moms can gain a lot from this post.
I worked full time until my oldest kids were 4 and 2. I then transitioned to be a stay at home mom in 2018, and now I have 4 kids. These lessons learned were hard won, and I simply want to share them with you so you can learn them hopefully the easy way!
If this is you, first, I want to say there are seasons of more energy or less energy. But this secret should help even if you don’t have the motivation to put away tonight’s dinner much less read a parenting book for 20 minutes.
This post is for all mamas who dream big, love big, and work hard, play hard. This is for you, mama.
Yes, it’s hard work
First, I’m not going to sugar-coat this secret – yes, it’s still going to be hard work. Mostly because of this variable, adorable, crazy factor called kids.
Sometimes I think parenting is SO hard because it’s like running a marathon. There are small wins here and there, but for the most part, you won’t know the results of your labor for a longggg time aka years to come.
The parenting game is even harder when you feel like you’re pulled in multiple directions – between being a wife, a mother, a daughter, a runner, and an entrepreneur your time is split. (Okay, I basically just described myself….)
With all of these hats to wear, it’s amazing you have the energy to get up in the morning.
Related Post That Includes a Daily Stay at Home Mom Schedule Example:
Genius Time Management Tricks for Stay at Home Moms
But, there is hope
It is possible to find the time to pursue your dreams and be a mom. I’m not telling this to convict you to do more, but rather to encourage you that you can do this.
If it’s your heart’s desire to get fit, eat healthy, work from home, or start a small business (or whatever your goal is!) – then I’m your cheerleader and here to support and provide you the resources you need to get organized and meet your goals.
This is why I’m sharing my secret to staying motivated with you!
It’s a simple 3 step system that helps create the framework for action.
Related Post: 8 Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Money from Home
The Secret to Staying Motivated for Tired Stay at Home Moms
Here are my tips to staying motivated when I’m tired. These also help me to better enjoy being a stay at home mom!
1. Find your Why
If you don’t understand the deep underlying reason why you’re doing something, then you will not be able to pursue it in the long-run.
For example, I blog so that I can eventually travel with my husband for work so that we can spend more time together and our relationship will be stronger. I’m not simply in it for the money.
I also blog because I love to teach and help people. Through helping people, I meet a need that’s bigger than myself while fulfilling on a deep need to maintain a strong relationship with my husband.
These two WHYs combined inspire me to get up every morning and keep on improving and keep on trying!
These WHYs encourages me to keep going, even when I feel discouraged. This WHY helps me push past the boring stuff to get to the fun stuff!
To do: Write down your why in a way that is filled with passion and energy and inspires you to action.
2. Use accountability
Some people are intrinsically motivated to do something, but we can all benefit from someone else holding us accountable for our actions and what we SAY we will do.
If you’ve ever been in class with “due dates,” then you know what I’m talking about.
A common phrase I’ve heard from “others” is, “What’s done at the last minute, only takes a minute.” Okay… to be frank… I actually used to say that in college all the time.
Anyway…if you never have outside accountability pushing you to meet deadlines, you will never meet your full potential.
To Do: Find 2-3 people that can hold you accountable, ask you how you’re doing, and encourage you in meeting your goals. I have someone that I meet with monthly to talk all things blogging. She’s interested in what I’m doing and encourages me to keep pursuing my goals! This accountability will help you thrive as a mom.
3. Put habits in place
Although this is the last step, this is quite possibly the most important step. You can have the biggest, bestest dream for the future, but if you don’t have the time in your schedule to work towards that future, it will never occur.
Start putting habits into your DAILY and WEEKLY schedules to meet new goals that do not currently fit into your life. You will need these new habits to be built over time in order for the new future to occur.
In other words, when you have a vision for the future, imagine yourself already in the future.
What are you doing? Are you sitting around hoping to change?
No, most likely your future self already works out 3 times a week and cooks healthy meals at home.
Start with one day a week and slowly add in new habits to your daily routine.
Before you know it, you’ll be waking up at 5 a.m. sans coffee just like me! (well, only if you want to… haha)
To Do: Start with very small habits this week that will interrupt distractions and remind you to take actions:
- Put your running shoes by the front door in the morning
- Put your favorite journal on top of your pillow to remind you to write in it
- Hide the remote so you’re not tempted to turn on the TV
- Go for a walk as soon as you get home from dropping the kids off at preschool
Or, you can read this post – 8 routines to start – before, during, and after your cup of coffee
4. Break down a task smaller
When I’m feeling overwhelmed with a project or a task, I break it down into bite sized pieces. If I only have 15 minutes to get something done, that can add up in the end. Knowing ahead of time what your 15 minute tasks are can help you act immediately without waiting.
15 Minute Cleaning Tasks for Moms
5. Set a timer
I love to use the Pomodoro technique to get things done. I simply set a timer on my watch or phone for 25 minutes and work on one single task for that amount of time. Then I reward myself with a 5 minute break. Using this rhythm helps prevent burnout and also keeps me focused instead of distracted.
So what’s the secret to staying motivated when you’re tired?
It’s a simple process: remember your why, use accountability, and put habits into place. Then breakdown your tasks smaller and set a timer to act. Finally, take care of yourself, you can’t pour from an empty cup, mama!
Do that – and your new future will meet you faster than you think.
Commonly Asked Questions
What is motivation?
Motivation is a drive or inspiration or enthusiasm to do something and to see some effort come to fruition.
How do I overcome low motivation?
When you are feeling low on motivation, as I mentioned above, you need to tap into your WHY. The day-to-day tasks can wear you down, but if you remember the bigger picture that originally fired you up, it will re-motivate you to action.
Sometimes having a trigger to re-motivate is key. Try doing something that increases your heartrate when you’re feeling lethargic. For example, pump out 20 squats, speed clean the kitchen for 5 minutes, or walk outside to get the mail and a breath of fresh air.
How would you describe a highly motivated person?
You are a highly motivated person if you continue to work day-in-and-day-out to challenge yourself and grow.