The Mom Joy Challenge and Why We Failed

As moms, we're told to "fill our own cup," but what happens when filling that cup feels like just another chore on an endless to-do list?

In the spirit of finding a "mom-possible" version of intense self-improvement trends like 75 Hard, we challenged ourselves to 14 Days of Joy, a simple, daily practice meant to spark a little happiness just for us.

The goal was simple: do one small thing that lights you up every day.

The outcome, however, was anything but simple.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on our imperfect attempts at prioritizing ourselves. 

Shawna shares how her goal of reading a fiction book for 30 minutes a day was accomplished exactly once, consistently losing out to the practical demands of motherhood.

Meanwhile, Cara talks about her plan to continue a joyful family dance party from vacation, only to realize it was more of a bonding activity with her daughter than true, restorative "me time".

Isn’t that just a classic mom trap we've all fallen into!

Our "failures" led to an honest conversation about the real reasons it's so hard to follow through on self-care. 

We unpack the mental load, the guilt, and the surprising truth about where our precious free moments are actually disappearing (question: is that true or are we scrolling through Facebook Marketplace and TikTok too much).

But this isn't a story of failure; it's one of realization. We wrap up by spontaneously creating our next experiment: a Mom Time Audit.

It's a no-judgment challenge to gently track our time and see if we can reclaim a few minutes for ourselves not because we "should," but because we deserve it.

TLFMTR (Too Long For Mom To Read):

• The constant battle between choosing an act of personal joy versus completing a "mom task" that makes life easier tomorrow.
  
  

• How easily "me time" can accidentally become a "family activity," and the importance of recognizing the difference.
  
  

• The realization that even when we feel we have no time, we might be spending it on autopilot activities like scrolling social media.
  
  

• Why it's crucial for our kids to see us model self-care and prioritize ourselves.
  
  

• A sneak peek at our next challenge: the "Mom Time Audit," a non-judgmental way to see where our time truly goes and if we can reclaim some of it.

When was the last time you did something purely for your own joy, without it needing to be productive or for someone else?

Remember, adding joy to your life doesn't have to be another thing you get perfect. You are mom enough, and you're not alone in this.

If you're looking for more support on your journey and want to continue the conversation with a group of moms who get it?

See you there!

Shawna & Cara