463: What If Your Only New Year Goal Was to Let Go of the Shoulds?

463: What If Your Only New Year Goal Was to Let Go of the Shoulds?

Author: Cloud10 January 12, 2026 Duration: 25:49
I recently sat down to reflect on 2025, and I was honestly shocked by how much lighter my life feels now compared to just a few years ago. I'm not talking about having less to do. I'm talking about releasing the weight of expectations that never fit me in the first place. The guilt over my son's screen time, the pressure to have my spiritual life look a certain way, the belief that I had to maximize my income at all costs. When I started letting those shoulds go, something beautiful happened—I made room for so much more joy. In this episode, I'm sharing specific examples of how I decluttered my motherhood in 2025 and what shifted when I gave myself permission to stop performing and start living. You'll also hear the first lesson from my Motherhood Decluttered audio course, which walks you through the process I used to create this kind of lightness and freedom in my own life. In this episode, you'll learn: ✨ The exact shoulds I released in 2025 (and the joy I found when I let them go) ✨ How decluttering your internal "motherhood closet" creates space for what actually matters to you ✨ Why letting go of heavy expectations isn't about doing less but about making room for more of what brings you aliveIf you've been carrying shoulds that don't fit you anymore, this episode will help you see that you don't have to become a "better" mom in 2026. You just need to become a less burdened one. For full show notes, including takeaways, click here. *** Announcements: Motherhood Decluttered: My Motherhood Decluttered audio course is $50 off through January 19th with code MOREJOY. Get it today for $47 and revisit it anytime you shift into a new season. Learn more at 3in30podcast.com/declutter.Flecks of Gold: Today is the last day of the Flecks of Gold New Year's Sale! Get 10% off with code NEWYEAR. Related Episodes: 214: Simple Tips to Create New Habits in the New Year // BJ Fogg 411: Decluttering That Sticks: 3 Mindset Changes for Lasting Impact // Erica Layne 462: 3 Questions for the New Year Episode Sponsors: Boll & Branch: Get 15% off your first set of sheets plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/3IN30. Wildgrain: Right now, Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box—PLUS free Croissants for life—when you go to Wildgrain.com/3IN30 to start your subscription today. Let's Connect! Join me on Instagram! Get weekly-ish emails with BTS of my life Find Your Magic in Motherhood: Free 3-Day Email Course ***

Motherhood often feels like a constant juggling act, leaving little time for lengthy advice or complicated strategies. That’s the exact gap that 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms fills. Each episode is built on a simple, powerful premise: delivering three practical, doable takeaways within a half-hour. Host Rachel Nielson, who brings her perspective as a mother, teacher, and writer, understands that a busy parent’s brain is already full. She curates conversations and shares insights that cut straight to what’s useful, focusing on real-world application over theory. You’ll hear discussions rooted in the daily realities of family life, covering everything from educational activities for kids and navigating family dynamics to personal well-being amidst the beautiful chaos. This isn’t about adding more to your to-do list, but about finding smarter, more peaceful ways to manage what’s already there. The tone is consistently encouraging, aiming to replace overwhelm with a sense of capability and even magic. Tuning into this podcast feels like a coffee chat with a knowledgeable friend who leaves you with clear, actionable steps-not just more noise. It’s a resource for any mom looking to gather concrete ideas for parenting, personal growth, and creating a more harmonious home, all within the span of a daily commute or a folded laundry pile.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms
Podcast Episodes
448: Join our Team! A Word from the SAM Sisters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:48
Do the ups and downs of parenting ever feel like a solo sport? You may have friends who love you, but when it comes to really opening up about your struggles and growth as a mother, do you feel like you have teammates—wo…
447: What Parents in Disney Movies Got Wrong [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:52
Have you ever noticed that some of the parents in Disney movies…aren’t exactly the best role models? They love their kids deeply, but their fears, expectations, and blind spots often get in the way of connection. As I re…
446: Is Perfectionism Good or Bad? // Katherine Morgan Schafler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:19
Have you ever been told that your perfectionism is a problem? Maybe you’ve felt like it’s the reason you’re stressed, restless, or never satisfied with yourself. But what if perfectionism isn’t actually the enemy? What i…
444: The Four Tendencies in Motherhood // Sarah Joslin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:39
Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to stick to goals that matter to you, but you can follow through easily when someone else is counting on you? Or why one of your children seems to resist every rule, while another…
443: Feeding Your Family without Losing Your Mind // Celeste Noland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:15
As school routines settle back in, many moms start looking for a better rhythm with meals—something that feels less chaotic and more doable. But for many moms (myself included), feeding a family brings up more stress tha…
441: The 4 Types of Self-Care Every Mom Needs // Mia Hemstad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:25
We talk a lot about self-care as moms, but most of the time, the examples we’re given (bubble baths, massages, solo Target runs) only scratch the surface. The truth is, there’s not one kind of self-care. There are actual…
440: Tools for Parenting a "Spicy" Child // Mary Van Geffen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:03
Oh, the stories I could tell about raising a strong-willed child. But the truth is, if you have a spicy one of your own, you don’t need to hear my stories because you’ve got plenty of your own! Parenting an intense, pers…
439: 3 Secrets for Calmer, Happier Kids // Ralphie Jacobs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:49
Ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of constant correction, nagging, lecturing, or repeating yourself while your kids seem to tune you out? It happens to almost every parent at some point. In the moment, it can feel lik…