If you’ve been reading or catching up on any type of social media lately, you know ‘quiet quitting’ has been a hot term used by working professionals these past few months. Being quite the buzzword, it got traction on TikTok, and while not a novel concept, it’s the art of inconspicuously or without much notice refraining from doing more than what is required. It’s a supportive, peace-protecting measure of not going above and beyond when you don’t need to.
But more so, it’s the freeing idea of going against hustle culture, where we’re performative 24/7 and finding balance for the things that we enjoy, while also taking note of those things that are not a priority. It’s finding that sweet spot between what needs to be done and what can be set aside at the moment.
Quiet quitting is about ensuring that you’re leaning into how you’re feeling and not feeding burnout. Anticipating where your stress lies and doing less to buy into it.
Sounds so needed in this season of motherhood, right? Quiet quitting could and absolutely should be adopted by mothers. Between back-to-school activities, sports try-outs, Halloween, fall festivals, spirit week, birthday party after birthday party after birthday party, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and other festivities— my own calendar is spinning, overwhelming, and honestly not sustainable.
But when you list off or call out your to-do’s, it can often feel like a competition of who’s the busiest instead of a collective voice of the motherhood experience saying, ‘you know what, you don’t have to.’
So, with the holiday season coming up, feel comforted that someone hears you and free yourself. Spoiler alert: the kids will be okay. And so will you. So, here are three ways to avoid the burnout and show that you don’t have to.
Overcompensating. You don’t have to run out and create a special outfit for that pesky spirit day
Yes, it’s dress like a robot day (completely made up but love this if your school does partake), but instead of creating a costume or cutting boxes and hot gluing tinfoil until midnight. Pick a spirit day or two with your child. One that’s special or feels fun to them, and plan for those days. Keep reiterating the plan.
Overcommitting. You don’t have to hit up every holiday-related event to keep the magic alive.
Between 27 trunk or treats and 85 fall festivals, my kids were so over their original costumes and, even worse, done with the same old candy by Halloween. I vow to stop overcommitting to everything and pick a few events each season. Making the simple ones a tradition and focusing on small magic at home. Keeping myself sane, bedtimes pretty routine, and (hopefully) tantrums at an all-time low. Share your plan with others.
Overpromising: You don’t have to mail out those holiday cards.
Schedule the family photoshoot. Pick the outfits. Deal with the torturous trek to some field in cold temps at sunset. Select a decent picture. Find a card supplier. Purchase stamps. Collect addresses.
Do yourself a favor both time-wise and mental health-wise, send the text. Or share highlights of your year through a social media post or even better, reuse a summer photoshoot. Either way, don’t stress yourself more than you have to, and others will be happy with less clutter in their home.
