When You Fall Off Your A-Game as a Mom (and How to Get Back On)
October — my birthday month! It’s usually one of my favorite times of the year. There’s something about fall that always makes me reflective and excited — the cool breeze, the cute fall clothes, the colors changing, and the anticipation of new beginnings just around the corner. This year, I looked forward to celebrating myself and all the things God has done. But if I’m honest, October didn’t quite go how I imagined.
It’s been a month of mixed emotions, lessons, and God’s gentle reminders. I recently saw a video by Tabitha Brown where she recalled the theme song from the old show The Facts of Life: “You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both, and there you have the facts of life.” And that’s exactly what this October has been for me — a blend of good, bad, and everything in between.
As I write this, I feel more refreshed, with a clearer mind and a grateful heart. I can see how God carried me through the ups and downs of the month. I’ve learned some valuable lessons that I pray will encourage you — especially if you’re a working mom or a mom who feels like she’s fallen off her A-game lately.
Lesson 1: It’s Okay to Rest
The month started with something I didn’t plan for — COVID. IYKYK. I had been so excited to celebrate my birthday, to go out of town, and just relax after a busy season of therapy sessions, parenting, and ministry. But instead, I found myself isolated in my room, sick, exhausted, and honestly, a little sad.
For those who know me, you know I’m a people person. I love my family, my clients, and connecting with others. So being alone and still was hard. I didn’t feel like my usual vibrant self. And because I’m a therapist who works virtually, I still saw clients — pushing through while feeling drained.
But here’s what I learned: my body and soul needed rest.
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Sometimes, God uses sickness or interruptions to slow us down long enough to remind us that He is still in control. Even though I didn’t like being sick, that stillness allowed my body to heal and my spirit to reset.
In the quiet moments, I worshiped. I wept. I prayed. I realized that rest isn’t weakness — it’s obedience. Rest allows us to recover and come back stronger, both physically and spiritually.
So if you’ve been feeling like you’ve fallen off your A-game, start by giving yourself permission to rest. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop, breathe, and let God restore you.
Lesson 2: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
October also brought some parenting challenges and emotional battles that tested my faith. I found myself questioning things I teach my own clients — things like challenging negative thoughts, managing overwhelm, and staying grounded in truth.
I felt unqualified, even hypocritical. Have you ever been there? That space where you’re pouring out to everyone else but wondering who’s pouring into you?
One of the best decisions I made was showing up to my own counseling session. Yes — therapists need therapy too! My counselor helped me process my emotions and reminded me that I’m not alone. Around that same time, a friend randomly reached out and asked how I was doing. Normally, I would’ve said “I’m fine,” but that day, I decided to tell the truth: “I’m struggling.” She agreed to pray for me.
That moment reminded me that strength doesn’t mean doing it alone. It means knowing when to reach out. Galatians 6:2 tells us to “Carry each other’s burdens.” We were never meant to walk this motherhood journey in isolation.
So, Mom, if you’re reading this and feeling like no one sees your struggle — reach out. Call that friend. Text your prayer partner. Schedule that therapy session. You don’t have to carry it all on your own.
Lesson 3: Your Obedience Will Carry You Through
This one hit me deeply. My wellness coach once said, “Preparation is never lost time.” That truth became real for me this month.
When I was sick and resting, I didn’t have the energy to do all the things — no blogging, no consistent posting, no outreach. But you know what? The seeds I had already sown began to bear fruit. Referrals continued to come in for my private practice. New clients still scheduled consultations.
I realized that even when I wasn’t actively doing, my past obedience was still working. The hard work I’d put into building my practice, nurturing relationships, and showing up in the past carried me through the season when I couldn’t.
The same applies to motherhood. The prayers you’ve prayed, the boundaries you’ve built, the love you’ve poured — they all carry weight in the spiritual and emotional lives of your family. Your obedience to God and consistency as a mom and wife will carry you through when you don’t have the strength to do it all. One of my children surprised me with my favorite candy and flowers for my birthday. The child whom I recently had many challenges with began having more good days than bad (Hallelujah for those answered prayers!). So even if you’ve fallen off your A-game, don’t panic. The seeds you planted before this season are still producing fruit.
Lesson 4: It’s Okay to Have Mixed Emotions
Here’s the truth: this month has been both hard and beautiful.
I got sick. I faced parenting challenges. I questioned myself. But I also experienced blessings — my private practice is officially full, I got to travel to see family I hadn’t seen in years, and I witnessed progress in my kids in areas that used to bring me to tears.
Sometimes we think joy and struggle can’t coexist, but they can. You can be grateful and tired. You can feel overwhelmed and still love your family deeply. You can cry one minute and laugh the next — and that doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means you’re human.
So as I close out this birthday month, I’m choosing to thank God for all of it — the lessons, the rest, the tears, the laughter, the healing. I’m reminded that even in the hard places, He’s producing something sweet. Like Psalm 81:16 says, “He would satisfy you with honey from the rock.”
To the Mom Who Feels Like She’s Fallen Off Her A-Game
Take a deep breath. You’re still doing better than you think.
It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to reach out for help. It’s okay to have mixed emotions. And most importantly, it’s okay to get back up again.
You are the woman God has called you to be. The perfect mother for your children. The virtuous wife for your spouse. Even when life feels messy, your story is still being written by The One who makes beauty out of ashes.
So, Mom, as we step into November, let’s do it refreshed and refocused — ready to walk in grace, purpose, and balance. You may have fallen off your A-game, but through God’s strength, you will rise again…AND WIN!
Are you a mom who has fallen off her “A-Game”?
Mama, you don’t have to walk through this season alone. If you’re feeling stretched thin, weary in well-doing, or unsure how to pour from a cup that feels empty — I’d love to walk with you. Therapy is not a sign of failure; it’s a step toward renewal, clarity, and peace.
✨ Schedule a consultation and let’s discuss how to create space for you to rest, reset, and reconnect with the woman God created you to be — not just the roles you carry.
Your heart matters. Your peace matters. YOU MATTER.
