Life has a way of speeding up without asking permission. One minute you’re in a rhythm, and the next your baby is sick, you’re sick, and your house looks like a tornado rolled through while the trash quietly piles up. Your boss is expecting you back at work because you’ve already been out half the week, and your to-do list doesn’t stand a chance—because you’re running on fumes and you honestly just need to rest.
That’s why I’m big on having a simple daily routine for overwhelmed moms—something that works on the hard days, not just the good ones.
Today I’m sharing the routine I use when I can’t do everything but I still want to do something that matters. I call it the Minimum Viable Day—and it’s built for real life.
The truth nobody wants to admit
- Consistency isn’t about having the perfect schedule.
- Consistency is about having a plan for the messy days.
- Because the messy days aren’t rare. They’re the norm.
How to Stay Consistent When Life Gets Busy: The Minimum Viable Day
I call this your Minimum Viable Day—not because you’re doing the least, but because you’re doing what matters most with the life you actually have.
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Here’s the routine:
1) Choose ONE priority
Not five. Not the whole life reset.
One meaningful thing that moves you forward today:
- finish a work task
- 20 minutes of writing
- meal prep one thing
- make the appointment you’ve been avoiding
2) Pick ONE “home must”
Something that keeps tomorrow from being worse:
- start a load of laundry
- reset the kitchen for 10 minutes
- pack lunches
- pay one bill
3) Pick ONE “body must”
Something small that supports you physically:
- water + protein
- a 10-minute walk
- stretch for 5 minutes
- take your medication / vitamins
4) Add ONE reset ritual (5–10 minutes)
This is the part that makes the day feel livable:
- sit in silence with your coffee
- brain dump on paper
- shower and change clothes
- step outside and breathe like you mean it
That’s it. Four decisions. A day you can actually repeat.
What this looks like in real life
Here are three examples—because the goal isn’t to be inspirational. The goal is to be useful.
Example 1: The “I’m running on fumes” day
- Priority: 20 minutes of writing (even if it’s messy)
- Home must: pack lunches
- Body must: water + protein
- Reset ritual: coffee (or tea if you’re sick) in silence for 7 minutes
Example 2: The “everything is happening at once” day
- Priority: finish the one urgent work task
- Home must: reset the kitchen for 10 minutes
- Body must: 10-minute walk or stretch
- Reset ritual: brain dump + choose tomorrow’s priority
Example 3: The “mom life is loud today” day
- Priority: one phone call / one form / one errand that’s been hanging over you
- Home must: laundry started
- Body must: real lunch (not crumbs)
- Reset ritual: sit down with coffee and no screens for 5 minutes
If you’re a single mom (or you just feel like you’re doing it all)
I’m a single mom, but this isn’t only for single moms.
This is for any mom who feels like she’s carrying too much—and needs a routine that doesn’t collapse the second life gets complicated.
And if you want something you can follow on the hard days—not just the good ones—I made a free download for you: my 7-Day Calm & Energy Reset. Grab it here and I’ll send it straight to your inbox: https://payhip.com/b/pH8wc
Try this today
Before you scroll away, do this in 2 minutes:
- My ONE priority today is: __________
- My ONE home must is: __________
- My ONE body must is: __________
- My 5–10 minute reset ritual is: __________
The Mindful Brew Minute
Today’s ritual: make your coffee (or tea) and stand still while it brews. No multitasking. Just breathe.
Reflection question: What can wait without consequence?
One small action: Choose your Minimum Viable Day before you do anything else.
You don’t need to do everything. You need to return quickly.
You don’t lose your groove because life got busy.
You lose your groove when you decide the busy weeks “don’t count.”
They count. They’re real life.
And you’re allowed to build a routine that fits.
What’s one thing your Minimum Viable Day must include? Drop it in the comments (or reply if you’re reading this by email).