There was a point where life felt like nothing but survival mode.
I was doing the bare minimum everywhere—not because I didn’t care, but because I felt stretched thin in every direction. I was working, parenting, handling responsibilities, and constantly reacting to whatever life threw at me next. I told myself I didn’t have time to intentionally grow in other areas of my life.
But honestly? That excuse stopped making sense.
As a single mom working two full-time jobs, I had to realize something important:
I may not control how chaotic life gets, but I can control how intentional I am with the time I do have.
The Truth About “Free Time”
Free time as a working mom almost feels nonexistent.
No matter what shift you work or how organized you try to be, there is always something that needs your attention. Someone needs you. Something needs to get done. And on top of that, most of us are mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted.
For me, my coping mechanism became scrolling social media anytime I had a moment to breathe.
And while it felt like “rest,” it usually left me feeling worse.
Mindless scrolling turned into mindless snacking.
Mindless snacking turned into laziness.
And suddenly every break became recovery mode instead of an opportunity to pour back into myself.
I wasn’t intentionally growing—I was just trying to get through the day.
The Shift That Changed Everything
Things started changing when I stopped waiting for life to calm down before investing in myself.
I began using my work breaks intentionally.
Instead of spending every free moment scrolling, I started:
- Listening to professional development podcasts
- Watching YouTube videos about skills related to future roles I’m interested in
- Researching certifications and growth opportunities
- Working on projects that could add value to my team
- Writing and brainstorming ideas
I separated my daily responsibilities from my future growth goals.
That shift mattered.
Because instead of only surviving my current situation, I started preparing for where I wanted to go next.
Small Steps Still Count
One thing I had to learn was to stop obsessing over the end goal.
I tend to see the bigger picture and want to jump straight there. But growth doesn’t work like that. The journey matters too.
So instead of trying to completely overhaul my life overnight, I made one promise to myself:
At minimum, I would dedicate 30 intentional minutes a day toward becoming a better version of myself.
Some days it looked like studying.
Some days it looked like writing.
Some days it was simply listening to a development video while eating lunch.
But I stayed intentional.
And honestly, even if you only have 15 minutes a day, that still adds up to over 90 hours a year spent investing into yourself.
That matters.
Stop Waiting for Life to Slow Down
Life may never fully calm down.
There will always be responsibilities, stress, exhaustion, and unexpected moments. But if you keep waiting for the “perfect time” to invest in yourself, you may end up waiting forever.
Create intentional moments anyway.
Protect your time.
Protect your growth.
Protect the version of yourself you’re trying to become.
I’m still growing. I’m still learning. I’m still building. But I stopped waiting for life to feel easy before deciding I was worth the effort.
Recommendations for Intentional Growth
- Search YouTube for skills related to your dream role
- Invest in learning platforms like Udemy or LinkedIn Learning
- Read articles, books, and industry content regularly
- Research your future role and start applying those skills where you are now
- Use small pockets of time intentionally instead of waiting for large amounts of free time
- Invest in my development journal on Amazon for professional development
- Developing: A professional development journal https://a.co/d/0iBTCwVU
Final Thought
Routine doesn’t remove chaos.
But intentionality helps you grow through it.
And sometimes showing up for yourself consistently in small ways matters more than one big life-changing moment ever will.
Mariah's Balanced life 