Life can be super busy. It often throws unexpected tasks our way, making it overwhelming, especially when you’ve become a MOM, the mother of a new life.

Being a mom is the hardest job I’ve ever had. I used to work as a labor in creative industry. I used to be a graphic designer, artist, illustrator and swing dance teacher. None of those were easy, but at least I got some decent sleep and had a bit of privacy. Sometimes, the hours could not be long, but that privacy made all the difference. Now, I’m writing this article in the bathroom while my kids draw next to me. LOL! These are the unexpected tasks that come with motherhood. My sons are no longer newborns or toddlers, so it’s a bit easier now, but it’s still the most challenging job in the world in so many ways.

WARNING: This article isn’t a HOW-TO guide for a better life. I’m just sharing some stories that might relate to your life. All I want to say is that you’re not alone.

Back when I had my first child, I remember the second night in the hospital. The baby cried every hour, non-stop, all night long. He was hungry, and I didn’t have enough milk. I had no idea what to do, and the nurse didn’t offer any suggestions! WHY? That was the first time I cried so hard, just like a baby myself—maybe even louder. That’s when I realized the challenges ahead. Many experienced parents had warned me about sleepless months, and that night, those warnings hit home. It was, oh!!!! soooooo SHIT!!!!!!

Here’s what a day in the life of a mom with a newborn looks like: Change diapers, feed the baby, burp the baby (this could take anywhere from 1 minute to an hour, depending on my luck), put the baby to sleep, clean the bottles, try to eat some breakfast and drink some coffee. But just as you’re about to take a bite, oh! the baby wakes up again. Change diapers, feed, burp, put the baby to sleep, clean up again. Try to cook without falling asleep, roll out the yoga mat, find a YouTube video, and then… fall asleep in the first Child’s Pose. Then the baby cries again, and you’re back to changing diapers, feeding, and burping. You try to entertain the baby, go for a walk, look for more coffee, read the baby a book, then fall asleep… only to be woken up by crying again. And repeat.

Obviously, without good sleep, everything sucks. And life without time for ourselves…sucks. I always thought about getting back to my yoga mat, but sleep was more important during that time. I ended up with lower back pain, rounded shoulders, and a grumpy mood. I hated what I saw in the mirror. But slowly, I started figuring things out…and they brought joy back into my life.

Lower Your Expectations

I don’t know exactly when it started, but I began to show up on the mat again, seriously. I lowered my expectations to rock bottom. I just needed to do something, maybe a little stretch to get rid of the back pain. All I needed was Half Pigeon! I started to entertain the baby with my yoga poses. I let go of the idea of yoga being a spiritual or meditative practice. I just did it for my body, from the outside in. It was just 1-5 minutes with a pose or two, and that’s it. It wasn’t fulfilling, but it was better than nothing.

Everything is temporary. The newborn turned into a baby, then a toddler. They were still demanding, and being a housewife was still a never-ending job. But, the toddler allowed me to put on a longer yoga show each time! They even joined in sometimes! I mostly did Sun Salutation A for a few rounds, no yoga teacher from YouTube, because I didn’t want them exposed to screens.( Yes the baby is demanding and so do I) I have to admit, it’s much better than nothing. And you know what? Sometimes, things work from the outside in. I always felt so good after my mini, simple sessions.

Take It as a Practice

People who warned me about sleepless months also told me, “things will get easier over time.” That’s both true and false. As the kids grew, new challenges emerged. One thing I’ve learned is that motherhood is actually a spiritual practice. It’s “Yoga outside the mat.”

I remember a monk once said, “If you want to practice meditation, the easiest way is to do it in a temple or ashram. WHY? Because everything is set up for your practice. The hardest way is practicing among people, at home, where all the distractions are.” And that’s so true.

Now my kids are in school, but on weekends, holidays, and during summer, they’re with me. Of course, I can’t focus 100% on my practice. They make loud noises, climb on me, and have endless things to talk about. They need help, they want me to wipe their butts. All I can do is focus on what I’m doing “until I can’t do it anymore.” And when I really can’t, I simply pause, shift my focus to the kids, and come back to it later. Doesn’t that sound like meditation? When your mind wanders, you just draw it back. Neither is easy, but both make you grow.

Find the Balance

One way to make sure your self-care doesn’t get lost in the chaos of motherhood is to schedule it like an important appointment. Treat it like a non-negotiable meeting with yourself, just like that first parent-teacher conference or an important work meeting. This time is vital because without taking care of yourself—your body, your mind, your soul—the world around you won’t turn as smoothly as it should.

Self-care can take many forms. It might be as simple as doing 20 squats while brushing your teeth or pushing up against the counter while waiting for your coffee. Or maybe it’s a brisk walk with the stroller, turning a mundane task into a mini workout. It doesn’t have to be a workout things actually. Self-care can be a good sleep or a cup of juice with minimum sugar. I really believe that, If you have a clear goal in your heart—whether it’s feeling better in your body, shedding some weight, building muscle, or just living longer to watch your kids grow—those little tiny moves add up over time. And guess what? You’ll eventually get closer that goal. ( I didn’t say that you’ll reach to the goal. ^^)

But here’s a key lesson I’ve learned: Don’t be too hard on yourself. Give yourself some grace. Balance is the key to keeping your practice sustainable and effective without burning out or giving up.

Here’s my ideal morning routine: Wake up, 30 minutes of cardio exercise, 15 minutes of meditation, 10 minutes of chanting, and 15-30 minutes of journaling and free writing, followed by breakfast, prepping lunch for the kids, and then waking them up and getting them ready for school.

I was waking up at 4 a.m. to do all these things…until I couldn’t anymore. LOL! Life happens. We were moving, and the stress of packing took its toll. I knew I could force myself to keep up the routine, but that would’ve been a one-way ticket to burnout.

So, I gave myself permission to sleep a little longer. I picked one or two activities from my routine and shortened them. I stretched instead of doing a hardcore workout. I meditated for 5 minutes instead of 15. I skipped writing and chanting. Some days, I did nothing at all—and that’s okay. A little flexibility makes everything easier. Just like flexibility in your body helps you move more freely and safely, flexibility in your routine helps you keep going. The body lasts longer when it’s flexible, and so does our life and mind.

The Power of Imperfection

As I’m writing this, with my kids drawing next to me, I’m reminded that life is rarely perfect—and that’s what makes it beautiful. My writing, much like my yoga practice, is far from flawless. But it’s honest, it’s fun, and it’s me.

So, to all the busy moms out there, remember: You’re doing an amazing job, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Lower your expectations, embrace the chaos, and find the balance that works for you. And when all else fails, just laugh, because sometimes the best moments come when things don’t go as planned.

After all, who needs perfection when you’ve got love, laughter, and maybe a little yoga to keep you grounded?