When Adulting Feels Like Too Much: A Real Day in the Life
When Adulting Feels Like Too Much: A Real Day in the Life
By Angel, Founder of AMC Rise and Thrive
Some days just don’t start off on the right foot. I’m sure
you’ve been there—or maybe you’re there right now.
This morning, I woke up early, fully determined to get my son
on the bus. It’s a ritual, part of the rhythm of our lives, and honestly, a
moment that helps me feel like I’m “on top” of things. But as I shuffled into
the kitchen and flicked on the TV to check the school schedule, my heart sank a
little. No school today. ❌
That was strike one.
You know that moment when you feel ready to move and then
suddenly realize the plan you made no longer applies? It throws off the whole
rhythm of the day, like a missed beat in your favorite song. I felt that
jolt—my brain tried to adjust but it wasn’t quite ready.
Determined to salvage the morning, I made my way to the coffee
maker. Coffee is more than a drink for me—it’s a lifeline, a sacred pause, a
little moment of hope in a sometimes chaotic day. But just as I was about to
enjoy that warm cup, the power went out. ⚡🐿️
Apparently, a squirrel had decided my neighborhood was a great place for
acrobatics, which unfortunately meant my electrical system had other ideas.
Strike two.
At that point, you’d think I’d call it a day and crawl back
under the covers. But no—there was shopping to be done, doctor appointments to
schedule, bills to pay, and a to-do list growing longer by the minute. So, I
pushed through. Dragged myself out of the house, caffeine-deprived and running
purely on sheer willpower.
I made it to the store, but exhaustion muddled my brain, and I
bought the wrong items. Strike three? Maybe. Definitely a moment when I
questioned my own competence.
The Exhaustion Behind the Day
Part of the fog clouding my mind came from my son, who had
been up until 2 a.m. That’s right—2 a.m.—yet still needed to be up by 6 a.m. to
get ready for his summer activities. 😴 When you’re running on only a few hours of
sleep, every task feels like climbing a mountain.
I tried to make up for it with a one-hour nap. But anyone
who’s been sleep-deprived knows that short naps often feel like tiny band-aids
on a deep wound. It barely touched the fatigue, barely slowed the racing
thoughts or the heavy limbs.
It was too hot to go outside, which only added to the cabin
fever. ☀️ I was too tired to take him to
the pool, even though I knew that splash of water and fresh air might have
helped both of us reset.
So there I was, stuck in limbo—too drained to function, yet
still the one responsible for everything. Feeding, entertaining, cleaning,
planning.
Sound familiar?
When Adulting Feels Like Too Much
I think many of us know this kind of day—the days where
everything feels overwhelming, and joy is nowhere to be found. The to-do list
is long, the energy is short, and the weight of responsibility presses down
hard.
Today was that day for me.
I had errands to catch up on—shopping I missed last week
because life was already too full. Doctor’s appointments I couldn’t postpone.
Bills stacking up. And still, I had to keep my son engaged, to make sure he
felt seen and loved despite my exhaustion.
Truthfully? I didn’t handle it with grace or positivity. There
was no Instagram-worthy moment of calm or perfect parenting.
Instead, I spiraled.
I felt the weight of all the things I haven’t done.
I felt behind.
I felt like I was failing.
I wanted to cry. But the clock kept ticking. The day demanded
more from me than I felt able to give.
So, I whispered a simple prayer:
Let tomorrow be better. 🙏
The Beauty and the Struggle of Real Life
I share this because I want you to know—if you’re struggling,
you’re not alone.
There’s so much pressure on parents, caregivers, and anyone
juggling multiple roles to show up “perfect,” to be strong, to keep it all
together.
But some days? They’re just messy. Hard. Unpretty.
And that’s okay.
Sometimes surviving is enough. Sometimes getting through the
day, no matter how clumsily, is an accomplishment.
Preparing for Tomorrow
Now, as I write this, I’m about to make dinner and start our
evening routine. The sun is setting, the house is quieting down, and soon my
son will be in bed, hopefully with a smile on his face.
Tomorrow is a new day—summer school starts, which means up by
6 a.m. again. I know I need a good night’s sleep, a hot shower 🚿, and a warm bed to
recover.
To all the parents juggling summer schedules,
responsibilities, and your own emotional load—I see you. I see the
weight you carry. I see the love, the exhaustion, the hope, and the resilience.
Words of Encouragement for When Adulting Gets Hard
If today felt like a heavy, never-ending storm, remember this:
Tomorrow is another chance. Another opportunity to catch your breath. To reset.
To try again.
It’s okay to not be okay sometimes. It’s okay to ask for help.
It’s okay to pause.
You are doing your best. And sometimes, your best looks like
simply showing up.
✨
Affirmation:
“Even when the day feels heavy, I am allowed to pause,
breathe, and trust that tomorrow holds new light.”
Say it slowly. Say it often.
📖 Bible
Verse:
Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV)
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions
never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
A Song to Hold Onto
When I need a little reminder to keep going, I listen to “Only
For A Moment” by Danny Gokey. It’s a song about the fleeting nature of hard
days, and the hope that better times are just around the corner.
Until Next Time
To anyone who’s had a day like mine today—take a deep breath.
Rest when you can. Give yourself grace.
Adulting isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up,
imperfect and tired, and still moving forward.
Stay strong. Stay human. 💛
— Angel | AMC Rise and Thrive
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