For the Christian Mom: When Fresh Starts Feel Heavy
We are officially in the second full week of 2026, and if I’m being honest—sometimes a fresh start doesn’t feel fresh at all. Sometimes it feels heavy. Uncomfortable. Stretching. And if you’re a working mom trying to grow, heal, and walk more confidently in your God-given purpose, you may already know exactly what I mean.
We often enter a new year with language like new beginnings, fresh starts, and new levels. And while all of that sounds hopeful and exciting, what we don’t always talk about is how growth can feel awkward, emotional, and even painful at times. Growth requires change. And change almost always disrupts what feels familiar.
Growth Comes With Discomfort
Back in the day, we used to call it growing pains. As kids, our legs would ache, our bodies would stretch, and our parents would tell us, “You’re just growing.” Somehow, that phrase made the discomfort make sense. And I’ve learned that the same is true in adulthood—especially in motherhood.
As moms, growth doesn’t stop when our kids are born. In many ways, it intensifies. We are constantly learning who we are as mothers, as women, as wives, as professionals, and as daughters of God. And sometimes that growth means doing things we’ve never done before—like saying no without over-explaining, prioritizing our mental health, setting boundaries, resting without guilt, or choosing ourselves in ways that feel unfamiliar.
And that can feel heavy.
When You’re Used to Being the Strong One
Especially if you’re used to being the strong one. The dependable one. The one who always says yes. The one who puts herself last.
As you begin to move beyond old patterns, your mind may push back. Thoughts creep in like:
What will people think?
Am I being selfish?
Am I doing too much?
Should I really be focusing on myself right now?
What if this makes someone uncomfortable?
And before you know it, guilt and overwhelm start showing up right alongside your growth.
Discomfort Doesn’t Mean You’re Doing It Wrong
Hear me clearly: discomfort does not mean you’re doing something wrong. Often, it means you’re doing something new.
One of the biggest lies working moms believe is that growth should feel easy if it’s “God-ordained.” But Scripture never promised us comfort—it promised us transformation. Romans 12:2 reminds us that transformation requires renewal of the mind. And renewal implies that something old is being replaced.
That process can feel heavy.
Outgrowing Survival Patterns
I’ve learned in both my personal journey and my work as a therapist that fresh starts feel hardest when they require us to unlearn survival patterns that once kept us going. Hustling. Over-functioning. People-pleasing. Ignoring our own needs. These behaviors didn’t come out of nowhere—they helped us survive certain seasons. But what helped you survive one season may not help you thrive in the next.
And that’s where the tension comes in.
You may be growing into a version of yourself who:
rests more intentionally
seeks support instead of doing everything alone
honors her capacity
values emotional health as much as productivity
depends on God instead of only depending on herself
That version of you may feel unfamiliar—and unfamiliar things often feel unsafe at first.
When Growth Feels Emotionally Heavy
For many working moms, this heaviness shows up as emotional fatigue. You’re doing “good things,” but you still feel tired. You’re setting goals, but your motivation feels shaky. You’re trying to show up differently, but part of you wants to retreat back to what’s comfortable.
That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.
And it definitely makes you a woman who is growing.
You Don’t Have to Rush the Process
One thing I want to gently remind you of is this: you don’t have to rush the process. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean everything has to be figured out right now. Growth is not a sprint—it’s a steady walk. And God is far more interested in your obedience than your speed.
In past blogs, I’ve talked about goal-setting without burnout, resting without guilt, and allowing yourself to feel all the feelings in motherhood. This is where all of that comes together. Fresh starts aren’t about becoming a “better” mom overnight—they’re about becoming a more aligned one.
Aligned with your values.
Aligned with your capacity.
Aligned with God’s grace for this season of your life.
Letting Go of Unrealistic Expectations
Sometimes the heaviness you feel is simply the weight of shedding expectations that were never meant for you to carry. Expectations to do it all. Be it all. Fix it all. That’s not your job, mama. God never asked you to be everything—He asked you to trust Him with everything.
And yes, growth may require you to sit with some uncomfortable emotions. You may have to face the fact that you’ve been running on empty for a long time. You may have to acknowledge areas where you need support. You may have to disappoint people who benefited from the old version of you.
But none of that disqualifies you.
In fact, it confirms that you’re stepping into something deeper.
Stretching vs. Harming: A Question to Ask Yourself
A question working moms can ask themselves when growth feels heavy:
Is this discomfort harming me—or is it stretching me?
There is a difference.
Harm drains you, diminishes you, and disconnects you from God.
Stretching (and I’m talking about healthy stretching) challenges you, but ultimately strengthens you and draws you closer to Him.
God Is Faithful in the Process
Philippians 1:6 reminds us that He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. That means the work God is doing in you this year—yes, even the uncomfortable parts—is intentional.
So if this fresh start feels heavier than you expected, take a deep breath. You’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re not doing motherhood wrong.
You’re growing.
And growth takes courage.
Keep Going, Mama
As you move through this season, give yourself permission to move slowly. Reflect often. Pray honestly. Rest when needed. And remember—you are not called to carry this alone. God walks with you, and there is support available when the journey feels overwhelming.
Fresh starts don’t always feel light at first. But they often lead to freedom, clarity, and peace on the other side.
So keep going, mama.
Even when it feels heavy.
Especially when it feels heavy.
Because growth—even uncomfortable growth—is a sign that God is still working in you. 💛
