How to Survive (and Thrive) When Your Calendar is Full, But Your Energy is Low

By a 43-Year-Old Mom Who’s Been There, Still There, Probably Will Be Tomorrow Too

Let me guess—you woke up exhausted, your to-do list already gave you the side-eye before you even brushed your teeth, and somehow, you’re supposed to conquer the day like a motivational speaker on espresso.

Same.

If your brain feels like it’s buffering and your energy is stuck somewhere between “Do I even have a soul right now?” and “If one more person asks me for something, I’m moving to the woods,” then welcome. You’re not broken. You’re a mom.

More specifically, a mom deep in the messy, chaotic, relentless, beautiful, and bone-tired middle of life. This is for you.

Let’s talk honestly about how to survive—and maybe even thrive—when your calendar is full but your energy is dragging behind like a forgotten sock in the dryer.

1. Burn the Supermom Cape (Metaphorically… or Not)

First of all, screw the idea that you’re supposed to do it all and look good doing it. That’s a fast track to full-blown mom burnout.

You are not a machine. You are a human being with limits, hormones, and possibly a love/hate relationship with caffeine. Let’s normalize not signing up for the class snack rotation. Let’s normalize store-bought cupcakes and the phrase “I’m tapped out, babe.”

Being everything for everyone isn’t the goal. Being sane and showing up (even with greasy hair and last night’s mascara) is.

2. Know Your “Bare Minimum” Toolkit

Every mom needs a bare-minimum plan for when her energy hits rock bottom, and all signs point to “Do Not Disturb.”

Here’s mine:

• Dinner? Scrambled eggs, toast, done.

• Homework? We’ll try again tomorrow, buddy.

• House? Embrace the mess. It’ll still be there tomorrow (sadly).

• Me? Couch, phone on silent, zero guilt.

This is not laziness. This is a realistic routine for busy moms who refuse to martyr themselves for Pinterest points. Build your backup plan. Make it sacred.

3. Say No Like Your Sanity Depends On It (Because It Does)

Not everything on your calendar is mandatory. Not every email needs an instant reply. Not every birthday party needs a custom gift bag.

Saying no is self-care in action.

One of the boldest low-energy tips for moms I can give you ... 

Practice this: “I’d love to, but I can’t add one more thing right now.”

(Then stop talking. Seriously. Let it hang.)

Protect your energy like it’s your last cup of coffee.

4. Quit Waiting for “The Right Time” to Rest

Here’s a secret: The right time to rest never comes wrapped in silence and scented candles. Sometimes, it comes in ten stolen minutes in your parked car. Or shutting the bedroom door and letting the kids fight over the remote.

Mom self-care doesn’t have to be pretty. It has to be intentional.

Write this on a Post-it if you have to:

“I’m allowed to rest—even if things are still unfinished.”

Because, spoiler alert: they always will be.

5. Cut the Clutter—Digitally and Mentally

When your energy is low, decision fatigue is real. You don’t need 74 apps buzzing, a chaotic group chat, and 13 open tabs in your brain.

Unsubscribe. Mute the thread. Delete the app. And girl—use that calendar wisely.

Block out time for nothing. Literally label it: “Do Not Book. Energy Recharge.” Even if it’s 20 minutes, treat it like a dentist appointment you can’t miss.

Managing mom life doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. It means carving out space for yourself.

6. Remember: Good Enough Is Actually Great

Some days, you’ll crush it. On other days, you’ll forget the field trip form, microwave your coffee three times, and ugly cry at a dog food commercial. That’s life.

Let’s stop chasing the “ideal mom” and start honoring the real one—the one who keeps going, the one who apologizes when she yells, the one who shows up, even if she’s late, frazzled, and holding a bag of fast food.

You are enough. Full stop.

Final Pep Talk: You’re Not Failing. You’re Functioning in Survival Mode—and That’s Still a Win.

Let’s ditch the guilt, lower the bar, and raise a toast to managing mom life one imperfect, beautiful mess at a time.

You don’t need a total life overhaul. You just need a few small shifts. One boundary. One nap. One “no.” One night where dinner is cereal and no one dies.

You’ve got this, mama. Even when your energy is low, your heart still shows up—and that’s what your kids will remember.

Now go drink some water, cancel something, and take a damn break. You’re doing amazing.