Mom Burnout Is Real: Why I Needed A Break and What I Learned

A few weeks ago, my husband and I escaped to the Bahamas for four glorious days. No kids. No TV. No demands. Just us, the ocean, and the quiet. It was a welcome break from the daily challenges that often lead to mom burnout.

We stayed in a small beachfront hotel with no televisions in the rooms—just the sound of the waves and the sun on our skin. It was simple, peaceful, and exactly what my tired mom heart and body needed.

I Didn’t Have to Take Care of Anyone (and It Was Amazing)

One of the biggest things I looked forward to on this trip?
Not making meals.

I didn’t realize how much mental energy that alone takes until I didn’t have to do it. No grocery lists. No prepping. No cleaning up. Just showing up and being served. I didn’t have to tend to anyone’s needs. I didn’t have to be “on.”

And I can’t lie—it was glorious.

The Beauty of Reconnection in This Season of Life

Yes, the rest was incredible—but the connection was just as important.

My husband and I had uninterrupted time to laugh, talk, and remember what we love about us, which feels rare in this season of parenting, working, and juggling All The Things.

I also had deep, soul-filling conversations with the women we were traveling with—conversations about aging, identity, motherhood, and the messy beauty of it all. Those talks nourished me just as much as the sunshine and the sleep.

How I Eased Back Into Real Life After a Break

Coming home was harder than I expected—but I made a conscious decision to go slow.

I didn’t load up my Monday schedule. I stayed in my pajamas until noon. I let the rhythm of the trip linger just a little longer.
Because jumping right back into the noise and needs would have erased everything I had just gained.

That small act—of giving myself a soft landing—made all the difference.

Why Moms Need Time Off

Motherhood is beautiful. But it’s also exhausting.

There’s the visible work—meals, school drop-offs, bedtime routines. And then there’s the invisible work—the mental tabs, the emotional labor, the endless planning.

You can love your life and still need a break from it.
You can love your kids and still not want to be needed for a few days.
You can be grateful and tired at the same time.

Taking a break didn’t make me a bad mom. It reminded me how to come back as a better, more present one.

What This Made Me Think About—and What I Want to Offer You

This trip reminded me of a few things I hope you’ll take with you, too:

• You don’t need to wait until you’re completely depleted to take a break.
• You are allowed to rest without earning it.
• Reconnection—whether with yourself, a partner, or a friend—is essential, not extra.
• Even small moments of space can be powerful.

And while I know a four-day getaway isn’t always possible, there are ways to give yourself moments of deep restoration—even at home.

If you’re craving a reset, I’d love to offer you one of my favorite tools:
🧘‍♀️ Download this free meditation to feel grounded, calm, and more like yourself—no passport required.

Even five minutes of stillness can shift everything.

Love,
Erin