Motherhood is often described as busy, but I think that word barely scratches the surface. As a mom of two teens living in Upstate New York, my days are a constant juggle of work, school schedules, activities, meals, emotions, and everything in between. On the outside, it might look like I’m just managing logistics. On the inside, my mind is always running.

What I’ve learned over the years is that motherhood isn’t just physically demanding. It’s mentally exhausting. We make decisions all day long, from the moment we wake up until we finally sit down at night. Some are important, some are minor, but they all take up mental space.

Mom and daughter in the kitchen, baking together.

A lot of those decisions don’t actually have a clear right or wrong answer. Should I say yes to another after-school activity, or protect our downtime? Do I push through this moment of resistance, or let it go? Many times, both options are fine. Or both come with pros and cons. Yet I still find myself overthinking them, replaying them, and questioning myself afterward.

That’s where I’ve been trying something new lately. Not for big or serious life decisions, but for those everyday moments where I feel stuck between two options that are equally good or equally annoying. When I just need a nudge, not a verdict.

Recently, I came across a simple yes or no tarot reading on Sunrise Reading, and what I liked immediately was how low-key it felt. It isn’t about handing over important choices or looking for dramatic answers. For me, it’s more of a pause button — a way to slow down, ask one clear question, and notice how I feel about the answer that comes back.

Before this, my default reaction was usually to look outward. I’d text a friend, ask my husband, search online, or scroll for advice late at night. While those conversations can be helpful, they often add more noise than clarity. Too many opinions can make it harder to trust your own instincts, especially when you’re already mentally tired.

What I appreciate about a simple tool like this is that it doesn’t overwhelm me. There’s no pressure to analyze, journal, or follow a long explanation. It creates a short pause in the day — something moms rarely get. And in that pause, I’ve noticed something interesting. My reaction to the answer matters more than the answer itself. If I feel relieved, that tells me something. If I feel resistant, that tells me something too.

As moms, we carry an invisible mental load. Even when we sit down, our minds don’t really stop. We’re thinking ahead, planning, worrying, adjusting. That’s why simple reflection tools can be surprisingly helpful. They fit into real life. You don’t need to carve out an hour or commit to a new habit. Sometimes five quiet minutes are enough to reset your perspective.

Motherhood also has a way of slowly chipping away at self-trust. We’re constantly evaluating ourselves, wondering if we’re doing enough or doing it right. Over time, it’s easy to doubt our instincts, even though they’re still there. I’ve learned that rebuilding trust in yourself often starts with small decisions, not big ones.

For me, using something as simple as a yes-or-no reflection has been a reminder that clarity doesn’t always come from more information. Sometimes it comes from slowing down just enough to hear yourself think.

At the end of the day, we don’t need perfect answers. We need permission to pause — especially when the stakes are low and the mental load is high. Trusting yourself in small moments builds confidence for the bigger ones. And sometimes, giving yourself that moment of stillness is one of the most supportive things you can do — for yourself and for your family.