Feeling scattered this October? Learn why moms feel overwhelmed—decision fatigue, stress spikes, overcommitment—and how to reset with simple routines.
Ever notice how October sneaks up and suddenly everything feels like too much? Between back-to-school routines, after-school activities, work deadlines, and trying to keep the house running, it’s no wonder so many moms think:
“Why do I feel like I’m failing at everything right now?”
You’re not failing—you’re simply juggling more than one human can reasonably carry. I know this because I’ve been there too.
My Story: From Chaos to Alignment
A few years ago, October nearly broke me. I was rushing between school drop-offs, cramming in work calls, sitting in traffic on the way to soccer practice, and trying to figure out dinner at 7:30 p.m. I remember thinking, If I could just balance better, I’d finally get this right.
But here’s the truth: balance was never the goal. Balance felt like a teeter-totter I was constantly falling off.
What actually changed everything? Alignment.
Instead of trying to give equal energy to everything, I started asking: Does this align with my values, my family, and the season we’re in? That shift—from chasing balance to building alignment—helped me reset.
Why October Feels So Overwhelming
It’s not just you. Science backs up why fall feels extra stressful:
1. Decision Fatigue
Every small choice—what’s for lunch, who’s picking up the kids, whether you’ll sign up for that extra work project—uses brain power. By the end of the day, your mental “battery” is drained.
Reset: Simplify where you can. Rotate three go-to dinners. Automate recurring tasks. Fewer decisions = less overwhelm.
2. Cortisol Spikes
Your stress hormone, cortisol, naturally rises in the morning to help you wake up. Add school chaos, traffic, and back-to-back meetings, and that spike shoots higher. By evening, you’re wired and exhausted all at once.
Reset: Try a 2-minute breathing break mid-morning. Inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 6. This signals your body to dial down stress.
3. Overcommitment
October is full of sports, school events, and work projects before the holidays hit. Without realizing it, your calendar becomes a stress trap.
Reset: Protect white space. Say yes to what truly matters, and give yourself permission to say no to the rest.
You’re Not Alone
If you’re feeling scattered, stressed, and stretched thin this October, you’re not broken—and you’re definitely not failing. You just need calm routines that actually work in busy seasons.
✨ That’s why I created a free guide with simple tools to help you reset and breathe easier in your daily life.
👉 Download your free Calm Routines Guide here and take the first step toward calmer mornings, smoother evenings, and more guilt-free space for you.
Explore mymentalsummit.com for more. Also, check out this FREE download.
Because you deserve to feel aligned, calm, and connected—even in the busiest seasons.