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.

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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!

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!

In this episode of The Motherhood Process, host Autumn Akins is back and welcoming a new special guest to the family, her brand new baby. Diving into the "meat of the topic," Autumn tackles the common struggle of multitasking and why it often leaves us feeling drained and unproductive. Drawing from her own experience as a "serial multitasker," she makes the case for single-tasking as a way to transform productivity and well-being. Autumn explains the scientific concepts behind this, such as "switching costs" and the "unfinished task problem," and then offers practical strategies to embrace focused, single-task work. She explains how this approach not only helps you get more done but also reduces stress and increases your sense of accomplishment and purpose.

What You’ll Hear:

• The illusion of productivity that multitasking creates, and the draining reality of "switching costs".
• How the "unfinished task problem" adds to stress and leaves you feeling unstable.
• The magic of "immersion and flow" that comes from focusing on one thing.
• An introduction to "deep work" and how it enables real progress and higher quality results.
• Actionable tips for single-tasking, including prioritizing, time blocking, eliminating distractions, and practicing mindfulness.
• The importance of "closing a task" and celebrating completion to boost confidence.
• The emotional and mental benefits of single-tasking, such as reduced anxiety and a greater sense of control.

Key Takeaways:

1. Multitasking doesn't actually make us more productive; it creates an illusion of busyness.
2. Focusing on one thing at a time reduces stress and helps you feel more in control of your day.
3. "Deep work" is where true progress happens and is the opposite of multitasking.
4. Prioritize your top three tasks each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
5. Always "close the task" by finishing it completely to reduce mental load.

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!

The newborn phase is a whirlwind of emotions, changes, and challenges, but it’s also a time of incredible growth and connection. In this episode, I’m sharing insights to help you navigate this season with grace and resilience. From managing expectations to building your support system, we’ll explore how to prepare emotionally for life with a newborn. Whether you’re expecting your first baby or adding another little one to your family, these practical tips and reflections will help you approach motherhood with confidence and compassion.

What You’ll Hear:

• Letting Go of Perfection:
  Why releasing unrealistic expectations is essential for finding peace in the early days of motherhood.
• The Emotional Journey:
  A candid discussion about the highs and lows of the newborn phase and how to embrace both.
• Building Your Village:
  Tips for identifying and leaning on your support network when you need it most.
• Practicing Self-Compassion:
  How to celebrate small wins, care for yourself, and nurture your own mental health while caring for your baby.

Key Takeaways:

1. Release Unrealistic Expectations: Focus on presence over perfection in the newborn phase.
2. Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize the beauty in little victories during this season of life.
3. Lean on Your Support Network: Don’t hesitate to ask for and accept help when you need it.

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!

Traveling with kids during the holidays can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, I’m sharing practical tips to make family trips smoother, less stressful, and maybe even enjoyable. Whether it’s a long car ride or a cross-country flight, these strategies will help you navigate the chaos with confidence. Tune in to learn how to keep kids entertained, manage expectations, and handle those inevitable travel hiccups like a pro.

What You’ll Hear:

• Letting Go of Expectations:
  How releasing the idea of a “perfect trip” can transform your travel mindset.
• The Power of Snacks and Stops:
  Why snacks are your ultimate travel tool and how strategic stops can save the day.
• Balancing Entertainment:
  Creative ways to alternate screen time with engaging toys and activities.
• Making Flexibility Your Superpower:
  Building extra time into your schedule to account for delays and tantrums.

Key Takeaways:

1. Set Realistic Expectations: Travel with kids is rarely perfect, but it’s always memorable.
2. Pack Like a Pro: Snacks, toys, and small comforts can make all the difference.
3. Embrace Flexibility: Planning ahead is great, but staying adaptable is key to stress-free trips.

Resources:

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

I’d love to hear your travel stories and tips! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more inspiration and behind-the-scenes moments.

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Join Me Next Week:

Next week, we’ll explore creating meaningful traditions for your family during the holidays. See you then!

Expectations—we all have them. But when those expectations go unmet, they can lead to disappointment, resentment, and even damage to our mental health. In this episode, I’m diving deep into why we hold expectations, how they affect our relationships and well-being, and actionable strategies to let go and focus on what we can control. Together, we’ll explore how shifting from expectations to appreciation can lead to more peace and stronger connections with those we love.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why We Hold Expectations:
  The underlying reasons we expect certain behaviors from others and how it stems from our own ideals and needs.
• The Impact of Unmet Expectations:
  How unfulfilled expectations can create cycles of disappointment, resentment, and mental strain in our relationships.
• Personal Stories:
  Autumn shares her own struggles with expectations, including a story about friendships and the lessons she learned.
• Practical Strategies to Let Go:
  Five actionable steps to reduce expectations, including reflecting on what’s realistic, practicing self-compassion, and focusing on appreciation over control.

Key Takeaways:

1. Focus on What You Can Control: You can’t control others’ actions, but you can control your own responses and boundaries.
2. Shift from Expectations to Gratitude: Instead of focusing on what others aren’t doing, appreciate what they contribute.
3. Practice Acceptance: Accept people for who they are, not who you expect them to be, to cultivate more peace in your relationships.

Resources:

https://autumnakins.com/reclaim

Connect with Me:

I’d love to hear about your Core Four experience! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for tips, holiday inspiration, and behind-the-scenes fun.

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Join Me Next Week:

Don’t miss our next episode as we continue simplifying motherhood and embracing intentional living. See you then!