5. A Day in My Life: Empowered, Balancing Work, Motherhood, and Self

A Day in My Life: Empowered, Balancing Work, Motherhood, and Selfhttps://mysticalmomworld.com/is-my-struggle-real/

A Day in My Life

 

The alarm buzzes at 4.30 a.m., long before the world outside even begins to stir. For me, it’s not just the start of another day – it’s the beginning of a new chapter filled with responsibilities, emotions, challenges, and small joys that make life meaningful.

My mornings begin with a few minutes of quite meditation – a sacred time to  collect my thoughts and strengthen my mind before diving into the chaos ahead. Then comes the inevitable list of household chores: cleaning the house, folding the clothes, and ensuring everything looks somewhat organized before the day takes over.

Soon, I gently wake up my elder kid. It’s time for her morning exercise before school. She’s still half-asleep, but with a bit of encouragement – and with a few mom tricks that only years of experience can teach – she gets moving. As she finishes her routine, I rush to prepare breakfast and pack lunch boxes, making sure everyone gets something warm and healthy before they step out for the day.

By the time my husband and elder daughter leave for work and school, respectively, the house grows momentarily quite. And that’s exactly when my younger daughter wakes up. With her messy hair and sleepy smile, she greets me with a cheerful “Good morning.” and just like that, my heart feels full again. We wish each other a happy day, and a new set of adventures begins.

She is an absolute delight – playful, curious, and full of energy – until it’s time to eat. Like every other Indian mother, I sometimes rely on a bit of “Mumma’s magic” to make mealtime happen. Whether it’s turning food into stories or sneaking in a bite between her joys, feeding her is always an event in itself.

After breakfast, it’s bath time and prayers. Together, we fold our hands before the divine, chanting softly, asking for strength and positivity for the day ahead. Once our morning rituals are done, I pack her little bag – a few snacks, water, and things she might need – and we’re ready to leave for the shop.

However, this particular morning wasn’t as smooth as planned. I had been rearranging cupboards and moving heavy items around for a complete energy shift in the house- something I do once in a while to bring freshness and positivity into our home. In the middle of all this, the toilet flush broke, and the plumber arrived right when I was preparing to leave. He took almost an hour to fix it. By the time he left, I was already late for work, worried about the low petrol level in my scooter, and hoping it wouldn’t run out on the way.

Finally, we reached the shop. The first thing I did was clean the space, light a small lamp, and pray to Lord Ganesha. As if he had been listening, a customer arrived just then – the first of the day. It felt like a gentle sigh of reassurance from the universe that despite the chaos, everything was going to be fine.

By 2 p.m., it was time to return home. My younger one fell asleep during the ride back and continued her nap after reaching home. I quietly began preparing lunch, realizing I had skipped breakfast entirely. Once the food was ready, I sat down for a few peaceful minutes and ate my first meal of the day.

But peace never lasts long in a mother’s world. I soon got up to resume cleaning the house – the same one I had left in disarray that morning. By the time everything started looking decent again, my elder daughter returned from school, and my younger one woke up. We greeted each other with hugs and laughter, filling the room with warmth once more. I served them lunch, listened tp their stories, and helped them settle down before getting back to my own pending work. We even made a bathing soap for the kids.

The truth is, my back has been hurting severely for a week, but slowing down isn’t an option. With no one else to help at home or at the shop, I’ve learned to push through the pain and keep going. That’s the thing about motherhood- it teaches endurance beyond imagination.

Evening soon arrives, and it’s time to light the evening lamp. The soft glow and fragrance of incense bring calmness after the day’s rush. Around this time, my husband returns home from work. We sit together for a short tea break while the kids enjoy their milk. Those few minutes of shared silence, laughter, or random conversation feel like a luxury.

Then, I leave for the shop again, entrusting the kids to their father’s care. He handles the evening routine – assisting our elder daughter with  her online classes, dealing with the younger one’s playful tantrums, and preparing dinner. Sometimes I cook dinner before heading out; other times, he manages it all himself. We both do our best to balance work and parenting, even when exhaustion creeps in.

By the time I return home, it’s usually around 10 or 10.30p.m Most nights, the kids are already fast asleep. I quietly enter the room, kiss their foreheads, and whisper a small prayer of gratitude. Then, I have my dinner- alone but content – knowing that  everyone is safe and cared for.

If my body allows, I spend some time on the laptop – responding to messages, managing tasks, or writing my thoughts. If fatigue wins, I simply close my eyes and surrender to sleep, ready to repeat it all again the next morning.

The Rhythm of Responsibility and Love

 

Some might call it monotonous routine, but for me, it’s a rhythm – a symphony of love, duty, and faith. Every broken flush, skipped breakfast, backache, and sleepless nights adds to the melody of a mother’s life. It’s not easy, but within the chaos, there’s strange kind of peace – a satisfaction that comes from knowing you’re doing your best for your family.

Each day, I wake up with determination, even when my body protests. I push through because my daughters look up to me, my husband needs my presence around, and my dreams still whisper from the background, asking for their turn to shine.

Yes, I get tired. Yes, sometimes tears roll down quietly when no one’s watching. But the next morning, I rise again at 4.30 a.m., light a lamp, whisper a prayer, and step forward with renewed hope. Because that’s what life – and motherhood – truly is: not perfection, but persistence. I feel empowered with all the circumstances, situations, and happenings around me.

https://www.motherhoodcenter.com/balancing-motherhood-and-work

 

5. When Plans Change, But the Day Still Shines

When Plans Change, But the Day Still Shineshttps://mysticalmomworld.com/i-will-find-time-for-self-care/

Sunday usually carry a certain charm – a mix of freedom and unfinished tasks waiting to be done. Last Sunday, I had everything planned in my head. I had a list, an idea, a mood – but life, as always, had a different plan.

I woke up thinking about how the day would go, but the universe had already decided something else for us. And in the end, I realized that even when things don’t go exactly as planned, they can still turn out beautifully – simple yet memorable.

When Plans Change, But the Day Still Shines

A Happy Start

The morning began on a cheerful note. We got up happily, with that Sunday calm in the air – no rush, no school, no deadlines. My kids were unusually cheerful, and the house felt light-hearted and peaceful.

Instead of our usual breakfast confusion, we decided to keep it simple and homely – dal chawal. Who would’ve thought dal chawal could make a perfect breakfast? But it did. It brought comfort, warmth, and a smile. There was something so soothing about that combination – a meal that felt like home in every bite.

As we sat together, talking and laughing, it felt like a slow-motion scene from an old family movie. Nothing grand, yet everything felt right.

Classes, Holidays, and Little Wins

Usually, our Sundays are jam-packed with dance class runs and errands. But since it was Dasara, there was a holiday for dance class. That tiny break gave us an unexpected pocket of free time – something rare these days.

My kids finished their online classes first thing in the morning. Watching them sit attentively in front of the laptop, balancing between curiosity and distraction, made me smile.

After class, I introduced them to something new – Canva. I wanted them to explore creativity in a different form, beyond notebooks and crayons. And to my surprise, they loved it!

They learned to design – small posters, colorful layouts, and even tried typing their names in stylish fonts.

For a moment, I saw that spark – the same one I felt the first time I learned something new. That curiosity, that sense of “Wow! I made this!” filled the room. I felt proud and peaceful, realizing that maybe these tiny learnings will someday shape their bigger dreams.

Groceries, Giggles, and Burgers

By late morning, we decided to step out for a while. The grocery list had been lying untouched for days, and this seemed like the right time.

The supermarket trip turned into an adventure – as it always does when kids are involved. From choosing chocolates ” just in case guests come” to arguing over which cereal box looked better, it was chaos blended with laughter.

And then, the hunger hit. Instead of our usual home lunch, we decided to indulge a bit – burgers! Sitting at a small corner table, munching on fries and laughing over ketchup spills, I realized how even a small meal can turn into a family memory.

It wasn’t fancy, it wasn’t planned – but it was perfect. Sometimes, happiness really does taste like a bite of a warm burger shared with the people you love.

Back to the Comfort Zone

After getting back home, the lazy past afternoon began to set in. The kids sat down for homework, and surprisingly, there were no complaints or signs this time. Maybe the burgers did some magic!

While they worked, I began sorting out the groceries, folding clothes which is strangely therapeutic. The soft sound of stream and the sight of wrinkles disappearing gives a strange sense of order – like slowly ironing out the chaos of life itself.

Soon, homework was done, and the kids wanted to play. They laughed, ran around, and filled the house with their silly jokes. I sat for a while, just watching them – no phone, no rush, just being present. That simple act felt like a luxury.

Movie Time: Sky Force

Evening brought its own rhythm. The sun was setting, the lights were dim, and we decided to watch a movie – Shy Force.

There’s something magical about family movie nights – everyone curled up together, snacks in hand, eyes glued to the screen. The story of courage and passion caught our attention, and for those two hours, we were in another world.

The kids clapped at scenes that thrilled them, asked endless questions about the plot, and I couldn’t help but smile their innocent excitement reminded me that sometimes, joy really hides in the simplest moments – like watching a film together on a calm Sunday right.

Dinner, DIY, and Watching Down

After the movie, we had a quick dinner – simple, light, and comforting. By then, the  day had slowed down.

But before heading to bed, we decided to do something creative – a DIY activity. My kids had seen some ideas online, and they were eager to try. We gathered paper, glue, colors, and a bit of imagination. Within minutes, our table turned into a tiny art studio!

There was paint on hands, glitter on the floor, and laughter echoing all around. It was messy – but it was the kind of mess I didn’t mind. The kind that holds happiness.

Once done, we admired our small creation – imperfect but made with love. It was the perfect way to end the day.

A Simple Day, A Quite Lesson

As we finally went to bed, the day replayed in my mind. It hadn’t gone as planned – I didn’t do what I thought I would. But maybe that’s what made it beautiful.

Life often surprises us when we let go of our plans. What mattered wasn’t ticking off a to-do list – it was the laughter, the small learnings, the unplanned joy, and the calm at the end of the day.

This Sunday reminded me the peace isn’t found in perfection – it’s found in presence. When we live each moment as it comes, even the simplest day becomes special.

Takeaway:

Sometimes, when plans change, they don’t necessarily fail – they evolve. They teach us to slow down, to notice the small things, to laugh more, and to live with a lighter heart.

Because at the end of the day, what truly matters is not how “perfect” our Sunday looked  – but how “peaceful” it felt.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-purpose