Sleep Deprived & Still Laughing: My Real Talk on Mom Life, Friendship, & Finding Joy in the Chaos

Okay so this pic with my girl Sarah pretty much sums up my life lately hahah. We were legit laughing at nothing for like 20 minutes bc we were both so sleep deprived, and honestly, it was kinda perfect. It just made me think about how important it is to find those moments of joy and connection when you're deep in the trenches of motherhood, especially when you're running on fumes. Like, who else has been there? You're so tired you could cry, but then something just hits you and you can't stop giggling? Yeah, that's my life, almost daily. And honestly, I wouldn't trade it for anything, even if I could use a solid 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, wby??? Hahah.

Being a mom to three little girls – Stella, Ozzy, and baby Cherry – is the greatest adventure of my life, truly. But omg, it is also the most exhausting, beautiful, messy, wonderful, and sometimes, utterly ridiculous thing. There are days when I feel like I'm crushing it, and then there are days when I'm pretty sure I've forgotten how to form a coherent sentence bc my brain is just mush. And that's okay! That's the realness of it all, right? I feel like we don't talk about that enough, the days where you're just surviving, and your biggest accomplishment is keeping tiny humans alive and fed. And maybe, just maybe, finding a moment to laugh with a friend who gets it.

The Power of a Sleep-Deprived Laugh

So, Sarah and I, we were just hanging out, probably trying to brainstorm something or just catch up, and we both looked at each other and just started laughing. Like, a deep, belly laugh that came from nowhere. And it wasn't even about anything specific! It was just this shared understanding of being in the thick of it, of being tired, of having a million things on our minds, and just needing that release. It was pure, unadulterated, sleep-deprived joy. And in that moment, I just knew, this is what it's all about. These little pockets of lightness, these moments where you can just let go and be silly, they are EVERYTHING. They recharge you in a way that even a nap sometimes can't, bc it's about connection and shared humanity.

I think sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to be perfect moms, to have it all together, to always be productive. But the truth is, life with little ones is rarely perfect. It's messy, it's unpredictable, and it's often loud. And if you can't find the humor in that, you're gonna have a really tough time. For me, those moments of spontaneous laughter, especially with a friend who's right there with you in the trenches, are like a lifeline. They remind me that I'm not alone, that it's okay to be a little unhinged sometimes, and that there's so much beauty and fun to be found even when you're running on fumes.

Finding Your Tribe: Why Mom Friends Are Everything

Speaking of Sarah, omg, having good mom friends is non-negotiable. Like, if you don't have a friend who you can text at 3 AM when your baby is cluster feeding and you're questioning all your life choices, you need to find one, stat! Hahah. Seriously though, my friendships with other moms are such a huge part of how I navigate this crazy journey. They are the ones who truly understand what it's like to juggle work, kids, a husband, a household, and still try to find five minutes for yourself. They don't judge you when your house is a mess or when you show up to brunch with spit-up on your shirt. They just get it.

And it's not just about commiserating over lack of sleep or toddler tantrums. It's about celebrating the wins, big and small. It's about having someone to bounce ideas off of, someone to ask if this weird rash is normal, someone to just exist with in comfortable silence. It's about knowing that you have a support system that truly sees you, the good, the bad, and the utterly exhausted. Tanner is my absolute rock, my hype man, my everything, and I couldn't do any of this without him. But there's a unique bond you share with another mom, bc you're both experiencing this wild ride from a similar perspective. It's like a secret club, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it. So if you're feeling isolated or alone, reach out! There are so many amazing mamas out there who are looking for their tribe too.

Embracing the Mess & Letting Go of Perfection

I feel like my whole life has become a lesson in letting go of perfection. Before kids, I was probably a little more Type A, wanted everything just so. Now? Ngl, sometimes my house looks like a tornado went through it, I'm wearing the same sweatpants for the third day in a row, and I've probably forgotten to brush my hair. And you know what? It's fine! It's more than fine, it's real. My kids are happy, they're loved, and we're making memories. That's what truly matters.

This whole journey has taught me to embrace the mess, to find beauty in the imperfect, and to prioritize connection over cleanliness. I mean, sure, I love a clean house just like the next person, but I'm not gonna sacrifice playing with my girls or having a heart-to-heart with Tanner just to get it done. There will always be laundry, there will always be dishes, but these precious moments with my family, especially when the girls are little, they are fleeting. So I'm choosing to soak them up, even if it means stepping over a pile of toys to get to the couch. And sometimes, when you're in the middle of that beautiful chaos, a random fit of giggles with a friend is exactly what you need to reset and remember the joy in it all.

Self-Care When You Have No Time (and No Sleep)

Okay, so everyone talks about self-care, and it's so important, but when you're sleep deprived and have three little ones demanding your attention, what does that even look like? For me, it's not always a spa day or a long solo trip. Sometimes, it's literally just drinking my coffee while it's still hot. Or taking a five-minute shower without anyone banging on the door. Or, like in this instance, just having a good, long laugh with a friend. Those little moments, those tiny acts of reclaiming a piece of yourself, they add up. They're like little sips of water in a desert, keeping you going until you can find a bigger oasis.

I've learned that self-care doesn't have to be grand or expensive. It can be listening to your favorite song, or reading a chapter of a book, or even just sitting in silence for a few minutes. It's about acknowledging your own needs, even when they feel small compared to the needs of your children. And sometimes, it's just about giving yourself permission to be tired, to be messy, to not have all the answers. Bc honestly, we're all just doing our best out here, and that's more than enough. You're doing an amazing job, mama. Don't forget that. Sending you all the love (and maybe a little extra sleep dust) ❤!!