Because saying “yes” to everything is so last season — here’s what’s not getting my energy anymore.
The Invisible To-Do List Every Mum Knows
You know the one — the mental checklist that never ends.
Permission slips, snack bags, sports uniforms, birthday RSVPs, work emails, craft projects you swore you’d start… and don’t even mention the pile of unmatched socks.
This invisible to-do list follows mums everywhere — from the school gate to the office, to the kitchen at midnight when you suddenly remember tomorrow is “crazy hair day.”
Somewhere in there, I realised I was saying “yes” to everyone else… and barely showing up for myself.
Learning to Say No Without Guilt
This season, I’m doing something revolutionary: saying no.
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No to things that drain me.
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No to overcommitting.
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No to perfection.
And yes — big, loud, unapologetic YES — to reclaiming a little energy, creativity, and sanity.
At first, saying no felt selfish. But here’s the truth: a resentful, exhausted mum helps no one. A well-rested, recharged one? She’s unstoppable.
What’s in My “No Thanks” Pile
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No to endless comparison scrolling (unless it’s Pinterest and I’m pretending it’s research)
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No to doing everything myself — outsourcing what I can, when I can
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No to crafting guilt — unfinished projects are still progress
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No to boring mugs — because I’m building a collection that says what I really mean
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No to saying yes just to be nice (I’m nice. I’m also tired.)
Reclaiming Energy Through Creativity
Once I started saying no, I discovered I had space to say yes again — to the things that light me up.
For me, that’s designing cheeky mugs for Swear Jar Mama, finally uploading that digital product I’d been sitting on forever, and experimenting with creative projects that actually feel fun instead of like another obligation.
Saying no gave me back time. Saying yes gave me back joy.
My Favourite Creative Business Tools
Want to create your own sassy product line without needing to pack a single parcel? I use Printful to handle all the boring bits like printing and shipping.
👉 Start your own print-on-demand shop here
Looking for digital designs, fonts, or mockups to use in your own creative projects? I use Creative Fabrica for everything from SVGs to design bundles.
👉 Check out Creative Fabrica here
These tools make it easier for busy mums to turn their creative ideas into something real — without adding more chaos to the to-do list.
What I’m Saying YES to Instead
✅ Saying “not today” without guilt
✅ More creative time
✅ Cheeky mugs that make me smile
✅ Digital tools that work smarter, not harder
✅ Letting the socks stay unmatched (because… priorities)
Your Turn: Write Your Own Swear Jar Manifesto
If you’ve been feeling stretched too thin, I invite you to write your own Swear Jar Manifesto.
What are you done with? What are you saying yes to instead?
Drop it in the comments, scribble it in your journal, or stick it on your fridge. Bonus points if it includes wine, naps, or both.
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Disclosure
This post contains affiliate links from Creative Fabrica and Printful. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping me keep The Mama Assembly running on caffeine and good intentions. ☕
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