The Single Mom’s Silent Burnout: How Overdoing It is Costing You More Than You Realize
The Story You Tell Yourself
There’s a story you’ve been living.
It goes something like this:
You wake up before the sun, already behind. You move through the day like a machine - packing lunches, handling work, managing meltdowns, paying bills, doing everything that needs to be done because no one else will. You hold it together because you have to.
And then, after the kids are finally asleep, you sit in the quiet, scrolling, zoning out, or tackling the next thing on your never-ending list.
You wonder, How much longer can I keep doing this? But you shove that thought aside.
Because this is what single moms do. We survive!!
But what if that’s not the whole story?
Why Single Moms Burn Out Faster (But Recognize It Later)
Burnout sneaks up on single moms differently. You don’t have time to break down. You don’t have a partner to pick up the slack. So you keep going, ignoring the signs, pushing through - until one day, you wake up and realize:
You’re always exhausted, no matter how much you sleep.
Your patience is razor-thin.
You feel numb - disconnected from yourself, your kids, and anything that once made you happy.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone!
Society tells single moms that struggle is part of the deal. That doing it all is just how it is. That exhaustion is proof you’re doing a good job.
But let’s rewrite that story.
The Supermom Who Couldn’t Do It Anymore
Maria came to me because she was running on fumes. Full-time job, two kids, never asking for help, always putting herself last. She believed that if she just worked harder, planned better, or found the right system, things would get easier.
But the truth? It wasn’t about doing more. It was about unlearning the belief that she had to.
Through coaching, NLP, and subconscious reprogramming, we uncovered her biggest block:
She equated struggle with worth. If she wasn’t exhausted or busy, she felt like she wasn’t trying hard enough.
Once she let go of that belief, she started making real changes:
She learned to ask for help….. without guilt.
She stopped over-explaining when she said NO to others and her kids.
She created pockets / moments of rest, even in a chaotic life.
Now? She’s not just surviving. She’s present, calmer, and actually enjoying her kids instead of just managing them.
The Mom Who Thought There Was No Time for Herself / Wasn’t “Allowed” The Time
When Jess started coaching with me, she laughed when I asked what she did for herself.
"I don’t have time for that. Maybe when they’re older."
She had swallowed the idea that motherhood… especially single motherhood… meant sacrifice.
She didn’t think she was ALLOWED to have time for herself. Thought she would be judged for that.
But through hypnosis and boundary-setting work, we shifted that belief.
She started small:
✨ Five minutes of deep breathing before reacting to her kids’ demands
✨ Setting one tiny boundary a week
✨ Blocking out a guilt-free hour for herself - no laundry, no scrolling, no obligations
And the magic? Everything else started to shift. Her energy. Her patience. Her ability to enjoy the little moments.
Because when you feel better, everything in your home does, too.
How to Rewrite Your Story - Starting Today
If you’re tired of feeling like you’re drowning, here are three steps to shift out of burnout:
Challenge the “I Have to Do It All” Mindset
Ask yourself:
Is this really true?
What would happen if I didn’t do this?
Am I taking on things out of obligation or necessity?
Start questioning the default yes. Just because you can do it all doesn’t mean you should.
Redefine Strength
Strength isn’t pushing through exhaustion. It’s knowing when to rest. It’s allowing yourself to be supported.
Try swapping “I should be able to handle this” with “I deserve to take care of myself, too.”
Instead of “I’m failing,” try “I am modeling healthy boundaries for my kids.”
Because the truth is, your kids will learn how to treat themselves by watching how you treat yourself.
Train Your Nervous System to Feel Safe Slowing Down
If rest makes you feel restless, it’s because your body has been stuck in survival mode for too long.
Simple ways to shift:
Micro-breaks – 60 seconds of deep breathing before reacting
Guided hypnosis or meditation – This helps retrain your mind to release guilt around slowing down. Here’s a Free Stress Release Meditation
Somatic work – Shake out your body, stretch, dance to a favorite song or go for a 5-minute walk to break the stress cycle
You don’t need hours of self-care. You need small, intentional moments of pause.
Why Coaching with a Therapist Works
Most single moms don’t need another planner or productivity hack.
What you do need?
Someone who can help you rewrite the subconscious patterns keeping you in burnout.
Tools that actually shift how you feel…. not just how you manage your time.
A space where you can be honest, raw, and real … without judgment.
That’s why coaching with a therapist is different. I combine evidence-based techniques, NLP, and hypnosis to help you shift from just surviving to actually living.
Because you don’t have to do this alone. And you don’t have to stay stuck in exhaustion.
It’s Time to Change the Story
If you’re done feeling drained, stretched too thin, and lost in the cycle of doing it all, let’s talk. I work with moms who are ready to reclaim their energy, break free from burnout, and create a life that actually feels good again.
Book a free consultation to get unstuck, reset your energy, and create a new way of living… one that actually includes you.
Click here to book your session
Because your story isn’t over. It’s just time to rewrite it.
Keywords: single mom burnout, solo parenting, doing it all, stress management, breaking the cycle, saying no