Most mornings, I wake up with a to-do list in my head. Sometimes, I carry that list over from yesterday, and the day before that, until I finally get things done. But some days, I just don’t want to do anything. I just want to stay in bed all day.
Of course, my three daughters don’t understand that “mom wants to stay in bed all day.” Life keeps moving, schedules don’t pause, and the laundry still needs folding. On those hard days, I’ve learned a little trick: I look at my list and pick just one small item to complete, sometimes it is making my bed. Often, that’s all it takes. Once I finish it and notice my energy returning, I pick another small task. Before I know it, I may have crossed off a few items and my body and mind feel lighter for having achieved something, even on a tough day.
This is where the 10-minute reset comes in. On days when everything feels heavy, I give myself permission to pause first:
- Take a 10-minute walk around the block or the backyard
- Make a warm cup of lemon-ginger zinger tea
- Practice deep breathing for 5 minutes, focusing on exhaling tension
After this mini-reset, I approach my to-do list differently. I pick one item that won’t take much time, complete it, and allow myself to stop there if that’s all I manage for the day. And that’s enough. Really, it is.
The beauty of this method is that it shifts your energy before your tasks even begin. Instead of dragging through the day with fatigue or frustration, you start with a small act of self-care. That little pause reminds you that your well-being matters and that productivity isn’t about doing everything at once, it’s about moving forward, even in tiny steps.
✨ Try it today: Take 10 minutes for yourself, then pick one task to accomplish. If that’s all you get done, celebrate it. Share in the comments what your own 10-minute reset ritual looks like. I’d love to hear how you find balance in the middle of busy mom life.