The truth is that in today’s world, moms need margin in their lives. To avoid anxiety, depression, and other mood issues they need space.
There was this super popular book in the 90’s called Margin.
In the 90’s I was busy driving my orchid Chevy Cavalier wearing a Roxy t-shirt and singing Goo Goo Dolls and Sublime with my friends.
You know… high school.
Well, I grew up, had a slew of kids, and got overloaded. Then I heard everyone talking about having “margin” here or “margin” there and referring to this book.
I quickly purchased it and ate up every line like a thirsty woman in the desert.
Obviously, I won’t go into great detail as the book does, but I do highly recommend it. It is written by a medical doctor and has a lot of examples that create many light bulb moments.
How mothers become stressed without having margins
Don’t end the day with anxiety, stress, and a full mind.
This evening brain dump journal sheet will help you get in a peaceful mindset so you too can sleep peacefully through the night.
But often, on a slippery slope, we get so overwhelmed that our emotional reactions become stronger than we’re used to.
Instead of being feelings that are easy to direct, release, or ignore they become strong. They make us feel panicked, desperate, or anxious.
“If we string ourselves out, expending 100% of our time and energy there is no way in which we can adjust to the unexpected emergency.
We become defensive about our expended energies because there isn’t anything left to give. Having nothing in reserve, we tune out the need.” Pastor LH Evans Jr. (pg. 105)
In short, when we have no emotional reserve – no margin – there is no room for anything to go wrong. One cup of spilled juice gives us a headache. One child whining will cause us to yell. A slight traffic jam will send us into a blind rage.
Not because we’re crazy, but because we have no margin to process frustration.
Here’s how to find margin in your life as a mother
Some of these are from the book, some are from my own experience in “emotional overwhelm.”
Release pent-up emotions in a healthy way
When we have a full emotional basement, you need to let those emotions out. This may mean seeing a counselor, having a good cry, a loud scream, or a week long vacation alone to decompress.
If you know there are emotions you haven’t dealt with it’s time to face them. They are using up all your reserves and you’ll never feel free until you deal with them.
If you are a Confident + Take Charge or Strong + Deliberate Mom, you probably aren’t too good at rest. In fact, rest probably makes you feel lazy and guilty. It’s false guilt, of course.
Now, if you are booked out, overwhelmed, and stretched too thin you have to create a space to do nothing. To rest. This may mean hiring help or just leaving the house so you don’t have to see your to-do list. However possible, work time in your day or week to do nothing.
If you schedule it, the guilt may leave you alone.
Get help if you think you’re depressed
According to Margin, depression is often a direct result of overwhelm and lack of margin in many of life’s areas. It may be hard for those who are depressed to pinpoint an exact reason, but there will be a pervading sense of dread and doom.
“It is not obvious like a broken arm, or a fever, or a cough; it’s beneath the surface. A depressed person suffers a type of anguish which in its own way can be as painful as anything that can happen to a human being.
He has varying degrees of fear throughout the day, and a brain that permits him no rest and races with agitated and frightening thoughts. His mood is low, he has little energy, and he can hardly remember what pleasure means.” J. Dreyfus
See a counselor, your pastor, talk to a friend, or make the hard choice and try to get help.
Practice gratitude and giving thanks
Truthfully, I used to fight this. If I felt bad I wanted to stew a bit, that’s my personality. However, that doesn’t work. I started to thank God for the blessings in my life, the good things He’s done, how even though things can be tough there are great things.
This seems cliche or silly, but it truly makes a difference. You start to feel a flood of happier hormones, happier memories, and a sense that things might be okay.
Now, for those mothers who are already Past the Point just taking care of your own kids, you may want to skip this. However, research is unmistakeable with regards to the benefits of owning a pet.
This goes particularly for people who are lonely or get little physical interaction or affection. Margin says…
“It is remarkable how closely we can approximate human-human warmth and affection by substituting human-animal contact.
Pets are capable of bonding, are extremely loyal, and often exhibit deep appreciation for our affections – exactly the kind of responses needed to increase our emotional reserves.”
Self-Care Routine Tracker
Do you forget to sleep, bathe, eat, relax, etc.? NO MORE. This tracker will help you consistently live within your limits so you have more love to give to your family.
Learn to say “no”
As part of becoming a reasonable person, we must learn to say no. Take a good hard look at your life season, and make decisions accordingly. You don’t have to run every committee, be the leader of every bible study, or go to every function you’re invited to.
It’s okay to say “No, I can’t right as much as I’d love to. We are swamped and are in much need of rest.” If people can’t accept that, well, who cares. It’s your life you’re living, not theirs.
Three of Dr. Swenson’s prescriptions for creating emotional margin and reserves are nurturing faith, hope and love. Dr. Flach said in his book Resilience…
“I believe the most vital ingredient of resilience is faith.“
Have faith that God is in control, He has a plan, and He can work everything for the good of those who love Him. Hope that things can get better, change, or improve. And love for yourself and others. Love is healing both for the giver and receiver.
I highly recommend reading the book Margin. It really is eye opening and has so many light bulb moments you have to read it in spurts.
You just can’t read it all at once because you find yourself implementing it all day long. Or at least, you find yourself wondering how you can. If you are trying to Get a Grip on Your Life, this book is a must read.
Wow! What a great post!
I am a mama of one beautiful 11-month old son, and the wife of the most Godly and wonderful husband I could have asked for.
Yet, I have been in such an awful place (emotionally) the past few weeks. I wake up anxious, and I just don’t have time to do everything I need to. I cannot rest (and have neglected my “quiet time” with God) because I feel too guilty…and yet it feels as though I still don’t get to the important things (like the admin for my new home-run business). My house is a mess almost constantly (I’ve heard that’s an outer reflection of an inner condition), and my spiritual life has been nowhere.
What’s the worst is that I just seem to fly off the handle at the smallest provocation. I hate how this wears on my husband, and I pray so hard that this is not affecting our beautiful son.
I stumbled upon your blog today, and have subscribed. I need some positive, Godly advice and wisdom, as I know I can’t go on as I have been.
I’m definitely going to share this post with my hubby, as it details so beautifully what I have been feeling lately.
Thank you for all you do in helping to create stress-free, God-focused women, wives and mothers.
Cindy, thanks for sharing your heart here and I am thinking and praying for you. First question… are you pregnant? Ha! No but honestly, our hormones can sometimes take us from a stable place to acting crazy without notice. If you’ve never struggled with anxiety but do ‘all of a sudden’ do you think something hormonal is going on?
Thank you for this website, I really could use this advice.
I am a mom of a strong willed toddler and new baby. I don’t recognize myself, I get so overwhelmed and filled with anger, sadness and numbness when my my sons push my buttons. I seem to have no control of my emotions. I’m always tired, and easily pushed once the edge. I was such a good mom, and I really love my boys, but now I feel like my kids deserve a much better one. I don’t know why but I feel so angry all the time and just want to lash out.
Angela, it’s hard to have a child who doesn’t listen. I really suggest getting the book ‘Say What You See’ because it’s life changing for how to handle children’s strong emotions! It has changed our home, girl.
Thank you for the advice. I have been a bit stressed lately. Every time someone tries to give me advice on something good for my 4 month old, I get extremely defensive and see it as an attack on my capabilities as a mum. I know my mom and my in-laws really care for our son and I have a wonderful, godly husband and family but I don’t know what has sparked this off. I usually have a good control over my emotions but lately, I just get set off over little things and feel inadequate when people give me advice
Learn how to space naps, how many a day per age, best times, etc. and get your nap game ON!
Hi Mama, Rachel Norman Here
B.A., M.S., Routine Queen, certified sleep consultant, Language of Listening® parent coach, and *most proudly* mother of 5.
As a mom of 5 kids, born in 5 years, I understand what it’s like for lots of small problems to take over, leaving you stressed to the max. With simple routines – for everyone – and life skills preparation – for the kids! – your home can be a peaceful haven, not a source of stress you are driven to escape.
Wow! What a great post!
I am a mama of one beautiful 11-month old son, and the wife of the most Godly and wonderful husband I could have asked for.
Yet, I have been in such an awful place (emotionally) the past few weeks. I wake up anxious, and I just don’t have time to do everything I need to. I cannot rest (and have neglected my “quiet time” with God) because I feel too guilty…and yet it feels as though I still don’t get to the important things (like the admin for my new home-run business). My house is a mess almost constantly (I’ve heard that’s an outer reflection of an inner condition), and my spiritual life has been nowhere.
What’s the worst is that I just seem to fly off the handle at the smallest provocation. I hate how this wears on my husband, and I pray so hard that this is not affecting our beautiful son.
I stumbled upon your blog today, and have subscribed. I need some positive, Godly advice and wisdom, as I know I can’t go on as I have been.
I’m definitely going to share this post with my hubby, as it details so beautifully what I have been feeling lately.
Thank you for all you do in helping to create stress-free, God-focused women, wives and mothers.
Cindy, thanks for sharing your heart here and I am thinking and praying for you. First question… are you pregnant? Ha! No but honestly, our hormones can sometimes take us from a stable place to acting crazy without notice. If you’ve never struggled with anxiety but do ‘all of a sudden’ do you think something hormonal is going on?
Thank you for this website, I really could use this advice.
I am a mom of a strong willed toddler and new baby. I don’t recognize myself, I get so overwhelmed and filled with anger, sadness and numbness when my my sons push my buttons. I seem to have no control of my emotions. I’m always tired, and easily pushed once the edge. I was such a good mom, and I really love my boys, but now I feel like my kids deserve a much better one. I don’t know why but I feel so angry all the time and just want to lash out.
Angela, it’s hard to have a child who doesn’t listen. I really suggest getting the book ‘Say What You See’ because it’s life changing for how to handle children’s strong emotions! It has changed our home, girl.
Thank you for the advice. I have been a bit stressed lately. Every time someone tries to give me advice on something good for my 4 month old, I get extremely defensive and see it as an attack on my capabilities as a mum. I know my mom and my in-laws really care for our son and I have a wonderful, godly husband and family but I don’t know what has sparked this off. I usually have a good control over my emotions but lately, I just get set off over little things and feel inadequate when people give me advice