There are many paths to take back to a less stressful lifestyle. How you get there depends on you and what is in your path.
Do you remember the Choose Your Own Adventure books?
That was the shelf of the school library that I always checked first. Each book was well-loved with pages worn and bent with use.
The story would begin, start to get interesting, and then the decision would be given…
…to open the red door hiding behind the vines go to page 123.
…to take the path along the wall go to page 68.
I was always careful not to look at the other pages while I was reading so I didn’t get any spoilers. After I finished one path of decisions I would go back and try the other path.
Life can often feel like one of those books, except it is difficult to go back and re-make decisions. But what if it was that easy to take practical steps left behind by someone further along the trail?
» Let’s try it!
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Here is the story –
(I went a bit more practical vs. jungle adventure… sorry to disappoint any fiction readers out there that is just more of my vibe. 😜)
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Brooke woke to the sound of little feet racing down the hall—Oliver, already up before sunrise. She glanced at the clock. 5:42 AM. Another day starting before she even had a moment to think.
Before she reached the kitchen, the mental checklist had begun: breakfast, laundry, soccer practice, overdue grocery shopping. Brooke sat at the table, debating picture-day outfits, while dishes from last night piled up beside an unfinished to-do list. Every decision, no matter how small, felt like another weight on her shoulders.
By mid-morning, the baby was fussy, toys covered the floor, and Brooke was already behind. She moved through the house, tidying one mess while another appeared. At 5 PM, she realized she hadn’t planned dinner—again. She scrolled through recipes, overwhelmed, as the kids clamored for snacks and reminders. Why is deciding what to cook so hard every single night?
Frustration bubbled over. She snapped, then instantly regretted it. She always needed a minute, but there were never any minutes to take.
That night, wrapped in a blanket on the couch, she stared into the quiet. Survival mode. Why does it have to be this hard?
Something had to change.
So how do we give this character (Brooke) some adjustments that truly lighten her daily load?
I see three major pieces that are affecting daily life that she has the power to change.
- #1 – overthinking & decision fatigue
- #2 – managing time & the schedule
- #3 – all the work of making a home
Let’s look at some paths that lead to practical solutions for each.
#1 – overthinking & decision fatigue
She could stop overthinking and simplify decisions—like having a meal plan, a go-to outfit for picture day, or limiting choices so she wasn’t constantly making micro-decisions.
If this feels like an area that is weighing on you check out these posts:
#2 – managing time & the schedule
She could create a realistic schedule that didn’t leave her feeling rushed and behind before the day even started.
Been wrestling with this? These posts might give you some fresh perspective.
#3 – all the work of making a home
She could set up systems that helped the house run more smoothly, rather than letting it all fall on her.
Feeling stuck here? Take a look at these posts for some ideas.
I don’t want to just survive my days—I want to actually enjoy them.
If life is one long, complicated adventure, then I want to have plenty of moments soaking in the sights and feeling the sunshine on my face, laughing at the little surprises, and making memories that don’t feel rushed or forced.
I want to breathe deeply, not just race to the next task. I want to savor my tea while it’s still hot, notice the way my kids’ faces light up when they tell a story, and feel present instead of just pulled in a hundred directions.
Because life isn’t meant to be a checklist—it’s meant to be lived.
And if I am the main character in my story then I have the power to choose how this story goes.
I often have more control over my life than I realize.
You are doing so much, and I hope you give yourself credit for that.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but small shifts can bring more ease, more joy, and more presence into your days. Be kind to yourself as you figure out what works—you don’t have to have it all perfect to make progress.
You deserve a life that feels good to live, not just one you manage to get through. And little by little, you’re creating that.
Keep going—you’re not alone in this. 💛
💙- April
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