The Pregnancy to Parenting Show with Elizabeth Joy · Elizabeth Joy Presta

EP 303: Conquering Overwhelm & Filling Your Cup in Motherhood with Kaitlin Cueves

·1 hr 13 min·5 clips

Kaitlin reveals the two types of self-care moms need, including daily splashes to avoid pouring from an empty cup.

Elizabeth Joy hosts this episode, joined by Kaitlin Cuevas, founder of Think Happy Co., who focuses on helping mothers reduce stress. They discuss practical strategies for managing overwhelm and prioritizing self-care during the demanding season of motherhood. Kaitlin shares her personal life in Houston with her husband, a three-year-old daughter, a one-year-old son, and a golden doodle named Guppy. Kaitlin introduces the concept of "outer order leads to inner calm," referencing happiness researcher Gretchen Rubin. She explains her method of identifying and reallocating "unproductive time," such as mindless phone scrolling, to activities that better serve personal well-being. Kaitlin advises making to-do lists during low-energy periods and identifying just one to three daily priorities to maintain focus. She describes a technique called "task grouping," where tasks are tackled in small, manageable batches of three to five items. A key insight is that evenings directly impact mornings, making an intentional nighttime routine crucial for better rest and a more productive start. Kaitlin distinguishes between two types of self-care: occasional treats like a girls' weekend and daily, small "splashes" like a short walk or a few minutes of meditation. Elizabeth shares her personal experiment of deleting Netflix from her phone to reclaim time and model better behavior for her children. The conversation acknowledges the fluidity needed in routines, especially with young children, to make them sustainable rather than rigid. The tone is conversational and supportive, blending personal anecdotes with actionable advice. Listeners seeking practical, non-judgmental tips for managing time, reducing clutter, and incorporating self-care into a busy motherhood routine will find this episode valuable. Those looking for a highly structured, rigid productivity system or discussions unrelated to parenting may find it less relevant.

As heard by us

A calm reminder to be intentional with small habits and daily joy.

Elizabeth Joy and her guest keep the conversation rooted in the mess of a busy season: scattered thoughts, the pull of Netflix and the phone, and the effort it takes to stay present for kids.

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Why you'd press play

Need a gentle reset for the mom-life spiral? Start here.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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