How to Overcome Mom Guilt and Prioritize Yourself

Mom guilt. If you’re a mom, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s that nagging voice in the back of your mind that whispers, You should be doing more. You should be spending more time with the kids. You should be enjoying every single moment.

And if you dare to take time for yourself? That voice gets even louder. Shouldn’t you be putting your family first?

But here’s what I’ve learned—mom guilt doesn’t make us better moms. It makes us exhausted moms. And prioritizing yourself? That doesn’t mean you love your family any less. It means you’re making sure you actually have something to give.

If you’re struggling to shake the guilt and take care of you, here’s how to start.

1. Recognize That Guilt Doesn’t Mean You’re Doing Something Wrong

Guilt is tricky because it feels like truth. But just because you feel guilty for taking time for yourself doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

Think about it—if your child needed a break, if they were overwhelmed and exhausted, wouldn’t you encourage them to rest? To do something they love? To take care of themselves?

So why do we struggle to give ourselves that same grace?

Mom guilt isn’t proof that you’re failing. It’s proof that you care. But caring for yourself is just as important as caring for your family.

2. Shift Your Mindset: Self-Care Is an Investment, Not a Luxury

Somewhere along the way, we picked up the idea that self-care is a luxury—something extra, something selfish. But in reality? It’s a necessity.

When you prioritize yourself—whether that’s time alone, exercise, pursuing a hobby, or simply resting—you come back a better version of yourself. More patient. More present. More you.

Taking care of yourself is taking care of your family. Because they don’t just need you to be there—they need you to be well.

3. Set Boundaries (and Stick to Them)

One of the biggest reasons moms feel guilty about prioritizing themselves is that we’re constantly pulled in a million directions. If we’re not intentional, there’s always one more thing to do before we take a break.

That’s why boundaries matter.

• Set a specific time for yourself every day—even if it’s just 15 minutes.

• Say no to things that drain you or overextend your schedule.

• Protect your rest like you would protect your child’s nap time—because you need it just as much.

When you set clear boundaries, you teach your family that your time matters too. And that’s not just good for you—it’s a powerful example for your kids.

4. Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Moms

Let’s be honest—social media does not help when it comes to mom guilt. It’s easy to scroll and feel like every other mom is doing more, being more, loving every second of motherhood.

But here’s the thing: what you see online is a highlight reel. You’re not seeing the hard moments, the self-doubt, the struggles. Every mom has them.

You don’t have to be the perfect mom (spoiler: she doesn’t exist). You just have to be your kids’ mom. And they don’t need perfection—they just need you.

5. Ask for Help (Without Apology)

Why do we feel like we have to do it all? Somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves that asking for help means we’re failing. But the truth is, it takes strength to admit we can’t do everything alone.

Whether it’s asking your spouse, a friend, or hiring outside help, don’t be afraid to delegate. You don’t have to carry everything on your own. And letting go of that pressure? It’s freeing.

6. Remember: Your Kids Need to See You Take Care of Yourself

If nothing else convinces you to prioritize yourself, let this sink in: Your kids are watching.

They are learning how to treat themselves by watching how you treat yourself. If they see you constantly burned out, exhausted, and putting yourself last, that’s what they’ll think adulthood is supposed to look like.

But if they see you setting boundaries, prioritizing rest, and making time for joy? That teaches them that their well-being matters, too. And that lesson? It’s worth everything.

Letting Go of Guilt and Embracing Yourself

Mom guilt will always try to creep in, but you don’t have to listen. You don’t have to prove your worth by running yourself into the ground.

You are already enough.

So take the break. Do the thing that fills your soul. Prioritize yourself—without apology. Because when you take care of you, you’re not just a better mom. You’re a healthier, happier version of the woman your family already loves so much.

With love and a whole lot of grace!

Julie

---

 • Thanks for reading! Share this post to support my blog. •