The Motherhood Process

As we step into a new year, it’s natural to reflect on what we’re carrying with us—and what might be ready to be released. In this episode, Autumn Akins gently explores the idea that not everything that feels nostalgic is meant to stay.

Through thoughtful reflection, Autumn invites listeners to consider how growth, motherhood, and intentional living can shift the way we view traditions, routines, and familiar choices. This conversation offers encouragement to evaluate what still aligns with your values today and to create space for what supports peace, clarity, and purpose in your current season.

Rather than focusing on drastic change, this episode emphasizes discernment—learning to recognize when something no longer fits and giving yourself permission to choose differently, without guilt.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why nostalgia can feel comforting, even when it no longer fits your life.
  
  
• How seasons of growth naturally reshape priorities and values.
  
  
• The importance of discernment when evaluating traditions and routines.
  
  
• Reflective questions to help you move into the new year with intention.
  
  
• Encouragement to honor who you are becoming, not just who you’ve been.

Key Takeaways:

• Growth Brings Change: Outgrowing something is often a sign of healthy growth.
• Alignment Matters: Familiarity doesn’t always mean it belongs in your current season.
• Discernment Creates Peace: Thoughtful evaluation helps protect your energy and values.
• You’re Allowed to Evolve: Making space for change is part of intentional living.

Reflection Prompt:

What am I holding onto simply because it’s familiar—and what might feel lighter if I allowed it to evolve?

Resources:

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.

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Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!

The holidays are meant to be joyful, but for many moms, they feel heavy, pressured, and overwhelming. In this episode, host Autumn Akins gently invites you to release the unrealistic expectations that often come with the season and embrace a slower, simpler approach to Christmas and beyond.

Autumn speaks candidly about the invisible pressure placed on moms to make the holidays magical, memorable, and Pinterest-worthy—while still managing homes, schedules, emotions, and everything in between. She reminds listeners that our kids don’t need more traditions, more activities, or more perfection. They need our peace, our presence, and our ability to actually enjoy the season with them.

This episode offers permission to let go of traditions that feel heavy, simplify routines without guilt, and create rhythms that protect your energy. With practical systems around meal planning, gift giving, and calendar boundaries, Autumn shows how simplicity doesn’t take away from the magic—it actually makes room for it. The heart of this conversation is clear: the most meaningful memories are often found in quiet moments, not crowded calendars.

What You’ll Hear:

• The pressure moms feel to create a “magical” holiday season and why it often leads to burnout.
• How social media fuels unrealistic expectations during the holidays.
• Why kids need calm and presence more than elaborate traditions.
• Questions to ask yourself before committing to holiday traditions this season.
• Why it’s okay to pause or skip traditions that don’t fit your current season of life.
• Simple, low-effort ways Autumn creates meaningful moments at home with her family.
• Holiday systems that protect peace, including meal planning, gift boundaries, and daily rhythms.
• A powerful calendar filter: asking whether something adds peace or pressure.
• Permission to choose rest, simplicity, and presence over perfection.

Key Takeaways:

• Peace Over Perfection: Your kids don’t need curated memories—they need a calm, present mom.
• Traditions Are Optional: If a tradition brings stress instead of joy, you’re allowed to let it go.
• Simple Is Still Special: Small, repeatable moments often become the most meaningful memories.
• Boundaries Create Freedom: Guarding your calendar and energy is an act of wisdom, not selfishness.
• This Season Matters Too: You don’t have to do it all for the holidays to be meaningful.

Resources:

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other moms discover The Motherhood Process and join our growing community.

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Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!

Are you constantly saying yes only to look back on your week feeling tired, overwhelmed, and resentful? In this episode, host Autumn Akins walks through a powerful, real-time lesson she is learning: the importance of saying no more often.   

Autumn dives into the common reasons why moms feel compelled to overcommit—from guilt and the fear of missing out to a simple craving for connection. She shares her own pattern of "one small yes" snowballing into an overstuffed week and offers a clear reminder: "Everything that you say yes to is a no to something else, usually your energy or your rest or your peace".   

This episode is a gentle but firm guide to breaking the cycle of living in "reaction mode" and starting to live intentionally. Autumn provides five practical steps for strengthening your "no muscle," including setting weekly limits, pausing before you respond, and remembering that you are the one who carries the consequence of every overcommitment. The ultimate takeaway? You don't need a packed calendar to be a good, present mom—sometimes, the holiest thing you can do for your family is simply protect your peace.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why "yes" often feels like a default for moms, driven by guilt, loneliness, or not wanting kids to miss out.  
• The difference between being a "good mom" and a "tired, stretched thin mom".  
• Autumn’s personal confession about how she over-fills her own week with things like quick grocery runs that turn into multi-store errands.  
• The reminder that saying yes to one thing means saying no to your peace, rest, or energy.  
• Why the "invisible race" to do the most is a myth with no prize for the winner.  
• Book recommendations that have shaped Autumn's perspective on slowing down: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and Essentialism.  
• Signs that your "yes muscle" is overdeveloped, such as resenting plans or feeling tired before the day begins. 
• How saying no more often surprisingly makes your life feel fuller, not emptier, because it creates space for presence and calm.

Key Takeaways:

• Less but Better: This motto from Essentialism applies beautifully to motherhood, resulting in better energy and connection with those who matter most.  
• Protection is Power: Sometimes, the most important thing you can do for your family is simply protect your peace.  
• Your Value is Not Your Productivity: Stop living as if your value is tied to what you can produce.  
• The Holiday Challenge: Say no to one thing that drains you each week leading up to Christmas and watch the space it creates.

Resources:

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Come

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other moms discover The Motherhood Process and join our growing community.

Join Me Next Week:

Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, overstimulated, or unsure why your usual ways of recharging suddenly don’t work anymore, this episode is for you. Autumn opens up about a powerful truth many moms overlook: nothing is wrong with you — you’ve simply changed. And with a new season comes a new need for a different kind of rest.

Drawing from Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith’s framework from Sacred Rest, Autumn walks through the seven types of rest every mom needs to understand, from physical and mental rest to the often-neglected creative and spiritual kinds. She shares personal stories about sleep deprivation, overstimulation, social burnout, emotional holding, and the shift that happens when you finally acknowledge what your mind and body have been asking for.

This episode is a gentle reminder that rest is not a reward at the end of the week. It is a rhythm you build into your life so you can show up with presence, patience, and peace. When your season changes, your rest should too.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why the old ways you used to recharge may no longer work in your current season
• An introduction to the seven types of rest and how moms experience each one daily
• Real examples from Autumn’s life about sleep patterns, overstimulation, and mental load
• How emotional rest can show up as honesty, grief, or dropping the mask
• The importance of identifying whether you need solitude or support
• The role of creativity in restoring your joy and sense of self
• Why spiritual rest matters, including Autumn’s personal reflections on faith and growth
• How to create a simple “rest menu” to help you choose the kind of support you need
• Practical ways to build rest into your day without waiting for burnout

Key Takeaways:

• Rest Evolves With You: When your season changes, your needs change. Rest is meant to adapt, not stay rigid.
• You Need More Than Sleep: Physical rest is just one type. Mental, sensory, emotional, social, creative, and spiritual rest are just as important.
• Overstimulation is Real: Silence, boundaries, and intentional slowing down matter more than ever in motherhood.
• Authenticity Brings Relief: Emotional rest comes from removing the pressure to appear put together.
• Connection Should Be Intentional: Choose relationships that fill rather than drain you, and honor your capacity week by week.
• A Rest Rhythm Prevents Burnout: Rest should be woven into your day, not something you turn to only when you’re depleted.

Resources:

Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith – Sacred Rest

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other moms discover The Motherhood Process and join our growing community.

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Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!

If you're a homeschool mom feeling the burnout and hitting a wall a few months into the year, you are not alone. Autumn gets real about this common struggle, sharing her own experience navigating this phase while managing a growing family and a major shift in her family's daily rhythms.  

This isn't an episode about powering through; it's about giving yourself permission to be human and recalibrate. Autumn offers practical strategies and heart-centered advice to help you refocus, including the non-negotiable importance of self-care, a powerful exercise to reconnect with your original "why" for homeschooling, and tips for simplifying your schedule and letting go of the comparison game. This conversation is an encouraging reminder that a loss of steam is not a failure, but an invitation to step back and ensure you're showing up with intention, not perfection.  

What You’ll Hear:

• The personal rhythm shifts in the host's home that led to her own inconsistency and increased childcare burden.  
• Why the excitement and novelty of the school year eventually wears off and gives way to exhaustion.  
• The crucial importance of checking in with yourself physically and mentally, including water intake, meals, and the game-changing power of a morning routine.  
• The clarity you gain by revisiting your why for homeschooling—the values and goals that guided your original decision.  
• Practical ways to audit and simplify a too-full homeschool schedule by incorporating structured flexibility and eliminating unnecessary commitments.  
• How to combat the feelings of isolation and let go of comparison to the "perfect" homeschool families you see on social media.  

Key Takeaways:

• Self-Care is Non-Negotiable: Your homeschool will never thrive if you are not taking care of yourself, because you simply cannot pour from an empty cup.  
• Recalibrate, Don't Quit: Losing steam is not a sign of failure; it is an invitation to step back and recalibrate your approach, not to give up on this meaningful path.  
• Be the Expert: Give yourself permission to adapt your curriculum. A good teacher doesn't follow a textbook cover-to-cover, and neither should you—pick and choose what is right for your children.  
• Connect Intentionally: Actively seek connection by joining homeschool groups or meetups to combat isolation.  
• Focus on Intention: You are already winning when you show up with intention, not perfection.

Resources:

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other moms discover The Motherhood Process and join our growing community.

Join Me Next Week:

Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!

Ever thought about how you could bring more peace and productivity to your life as a mom? In this episode of The Motherhood Process, I'm sharing a mindset shift that truly transformed my approach: treating motherhood like the job it is. Not in a cold, corporate way, but by applying the same intention, systems, and boundaries you would to any career you take seriously. I'll share my own journey from feeling overwhelmed by daily chaos to realizing that the routines we often see as "extras" are actually the backbone of a life that feels more present, peaceful, and productive. Whether you work inside or outside the home, this conversation is an encouraging reminder that setting up a system isn't about boxing you in—it's about freeing you up to do the parts of motherhood only you can do.

What You’ll Hear:

• The mindset shift that helped me stop feeling so chaotic and start feeling productive.
• How a simple 15-minute daily cleaning system became a "game changer."
• My life-saving secret to simple meal planning and grocery shopping.
• Why letting go of the "invisible race of motherhood" can bring more peace to your life.
• A powerful journal prompt to help you find one small shift that can make a big difference.

Key Takeaways:

• Your time is valuable. When you don't have systems in place, you are making a thousand small decisions a day, and they will burn you out.
• Systems are not a cage; they're a key to your freedom. They are not there to box you in, but to free you up to do the parts of motherhood only you can do.
• Motherhood deserves respect. The truth is, motherhood is meaningful, exhausting, and unpredictable work, and it deserves respect from others and from yourself.
• Focus on the next right thing. When you let go of the pressure to do everything at once, you become calmer, more present, and more productive in the long run.

Resources:

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other moms discover The Motherhood Process and join our growing community.

Join Me Next Week:

Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!

Ever thought about homeschooling but felt overwhelmed by the “what ifs”? In this episode of The Motherhood Process, I’m sharing our family’s honest journey into homeschooling—and why we’re choosing to start slow. From the doubts and outside opinions that almost kept me from taking the leap, to the vision we have for our kids’ education, I’ll walk you through the mindset shifts and practical steps that are making this transition feel life-giving instead of stressful.

You’ll hear how we’re building our days around connection, life skills, and family experiences, and why I’m focusing on a simple, sustainable rhythm instead of recreating a full public school schedule at home. Whether homeschooling is on your mind or you’re navigating any big life change, this conversation is an encouraging reminder that you can trust yourself, move at your own pace, and create a lifestyle that truly fits your family.

What You’ll Hear:

• The fears that almost stopped me from homeschooling—and how I worked through them
• How I handle opinions from friends and family who don’t understand our choice
• Why slow, intentional mornings matter more to me than a packed curriculum
• Our focus on life skills, curiosity, and real-world experiences over rigid academics
• The flexibility and freedom that make homeschooling fit our current season
• A journal prompt to help you make big decisions with confidence

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need to start with a full, structured schedule—begin with the basics
• Trusting your gut is as important as gathering information
• Homeschooling can be about lifestyle and connection, not just academics
• Flexibility is one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids and yourself
• Other people don’t have to understand your decisions for them to be right for your family

Resources:

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other moms discover The Motherhood Process and join our growing community.

Join Me Next Week:

Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!

Ever feel like you have to do all the things to be a "good" mom? In this episode of The Motherhood Process, Autumn Akins shares a radically gentle approach to navigating motherhood: starting small. Whether you're rebuilding routines, trying to declutter your home, or easing into homeschool life, this episode is a powerful reminder that big change doesn’t require big steps. Autumn walks us through real examples of how choosing just one small thing at a time can create more peace, clarity, and sanity without the pressure of perfection.

Tune in to hear her honest reflections, time saving tips, and the mindset shifts that are helping her (and can help you) feel more grounded in a beautifully chaotic season.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why moms often aim too big and how it backfires
• The 15 minute cleaning hack that changed Autumn’s daily life
• Her thoughts on Instacart, overstimulation, and reclaiming time
• How letting go of guilt made room for more clarity
• A softer, simpler way to approach homeschool planning
• The mindset reframe that brought back a sense of peace in the morning

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need an hour—just 15 minutes can make a big impact
• Done is better than perfect (especially in motherhood)
• Releasing unrealistic expectations creates space for peace
• Small steps help you build sustainable routines, not burnout
• Saying no to extras can be the most freeing form of self care
• You’re not falling behind, you're figuring out what matters most

Resources:

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other moms discover The Motherhood Process and join our growing community.

Join Me Next Week:

Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!

In this episode of The Motherhood Process, Autumn Akins reveals her secret weapons – six highly-loved items that have become indispensable to her daily life with baby Riot. From game-changing gear that supports your child's development, to unexpected favorites that bring pure joy to routines, Autumn shares the products that have truly made a difference. She even unveils a personal "mom hack" that isn't technically for baby, but has profoundly shifted her mindset and brought back a lost piece of herself during postpartum. Tune in to discover the practical tools and surprising insights that help bring "peace and simplicity" and "kind of sanity" to the beautiful chaos of motherhood.

What You’ll Hear:

• The "hype" item that Autumn initially doubted but now uses "probably more than anything else".
• Sleepsacks so good, they're on their third baby and "still buttery soft".
• The inexpensive teether that Riot is "absolutely obsessed with".
• A baby seat designed with physical therapists, offering a healthier alternative. 
• The "splurge" stroller that's been a "family's vehicle" for years and multiple children.
• The non-baby item that helped Autumn "rekindle" her love for something deeply personal and reduce screen time.

Key Takeaways:

• Not all "hype" items are overrated – some truly deliver on their promise.
• Investing in quality baby gear can pay off through longevity and durability.
• Sometimes, the simplest and most unexpected items become a child's absolute favorite.
• There are innovative baby products designed to support healthy development.
• A well-chosen stroller can be a long-term family investment, adapting as your family grows.
• Discover how a non-baby item can profoundly impact a mom's mental well-being and sense of self in the postpartum period.

Resources:
https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other moms discover The Motherhood Process and join our growing community.

Join Me Next Week:

Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!

In this personal episode of the Motherhood Process, Autumn Akins discusses how the birth of her third child forced her to let go of her once-rigid morning routine. She shares the mental and emotional struggles of adapting to life with three young children, and the guilt she felt for not maintaining her former routine. Autumn emphasizes that the true value of her routine was never about productivity, but about fostering calm and reconnecting with her identity beyond motherhood. She outlines her simplified morning practice, which prioritizes a few small, intentional actions to set a peaceful tone for the day. This episode offers encouragement for mothers navigating demanding seasons, highlighting the importance of self-compassion and flexibility in creating routines that bring peace, not pressure.

What You’ll Hear:

• Autumn’s return to podcasting and the challenges of being a mother to three children under five.  
• The personal struggle of letting go of a tightly held morning routine.  
• Shifting from a checklist mentality to valuing routines for peace of mind and self-connection.  
• Practical elements of her current, simplified morning routine.  
• Encouragement for other moms to adapt routines with grace and focus on personal well-being.

Key Takeaways:

1. Motherhood with multiple young children presents significant physical and mental demands.  
2. Rigid routines may need to be adapted or released during demanding life seasons.  
3. The core purpose of a morning routine is often about personal well-being and identity, not just productivity.  
4. Self-compassion and flexibility are crucial for navigating changes in personal habits.  
5. Even small, intentional morning actions can significantly impact daily calm and self-connection.

Resources:

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps other moms discover The Motherhood Process and join our growing community.

Join Me Next Week:

Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!