Why Carrying It All Nearly Broke Me

Why Carrying It All Nearly Broke Me

Author: Wendi Bergin May 27, 2025 Duration: 14:56

In this episode of the Joyfully Prepared podcast, Wendi gets real about the weight of motherhood — and how carrying it all nearly broke her.

  • She shares how she slipped into unhealthy patterns:
  • Never letting her kids experience consequences
  • Neglecting her own physical and emotional needs
  • Skipping connection with her husband
  • Believing no one else could handle things “right”
  • Caring too much about what other moms thought — and silently judging in return

Wendi opens up about how a painful, life-shattering moment forced her to face what she was really worshipping — and how God began gently showing her that motherhood was never meant to be an idol.

If you’ve ever felt crushed under the weight of motherhood or struggled to put God first, this episode is here to remind you: you don’t have to carry it all.

Reflection Questions to Journal:

  1. Where in your life are you carrying more than God asked you to?
    Are there places you’ve taken on too much, thinking it’s all up to you?
  2. Are you wearing a badge of martyrdom, like I did?
    Where are you silently sacrificing, hoping it proves your love or worth?
  3. Are you rescuing others at the cost of your own peace or well-being?
    Where might you be stepping in to fix or save, when it’s not actually your responsibility?
  4. Where have you been caring in unhealthy ways — hoping it will be “enough” to prove you’re a good mom, wife, or woman?
  5. What small area of your life might God be inviting you to gently release back to Him?
    Where can you start by loosening your grip, just a little?

Website:  www.joyfullyprepared.com

FB Group: Joyfully Prepared

Podcast Episode:  Your purpose is YOU!


Wendi Bergin hosts Homesteading Made Simple I Joyfully Prepared, a space where the romanticized idea of off-grid living meets the reality of a busy schedule. This podcast is built on the understanding that building a self-reliant life happens in small, consistent steps rather than dramatic leaps. You'll hear conversations that dig into the tangible skills of gardening, food preservation, and kitchen efficiency, all framed around integrating them into the life you already have. Wendi’s approach is notably calm and practical, stripping away the overwhelm often found online. Episodes serve as a guide to building a pantry, understanding food storage, and cultivating a resilient mindset without requiring a hundred acres. The focus is always on the achievable, emphasizing that homesteading is less about a location and more about a set of purposeful, daily choices. Tune in for a common-sense companion on the path to preparedness and greater self-reliance, wherever you happen to be planting your roots.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 211

Homesteading Made Simple I Joyfully Prepared
Podcast Episodes
Why Chickens Are Easier Than You Think [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:31
In This Episode: Why springtime makes everyone want chickens The difference between meat chickens and laying hens The truth about how long it takes to get your first egg Why that first egg feels like winning the lottery…
My Failure Taught Me This About Preparedness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:30
A very honest “I forgot sunscreen” moment Why denial sometimes sneaks into our planning Making meaningful memories with family… even when things go wrong What a serious sunburn actually feels like (and why it sneaks up o…
Stop Assuming Someone Else Will Be Prepared [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:58
n this episode, Wendi shares a more pointed but encouraging message about preparedness, responsibility, and community. After hearing people joke for years about showing up at her home during a crisis, she explores the de…
3 Things to Know Before Buying Land for a Homestead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:15
In this episode, Wendi shares three foundational principles for choosing property for a homestead. Homesteading dreams often begin with land, but many buyers focus on the house and overlook important details about zoning…
Biggest Canning Mistakes I See Every Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:28
Biggest Canning Mistakes I See Every Year Canning competitions aren’t just about ribbons. They’re about courage, skill stacking, community, and stewardship. As Chairperson of the Food Preservation Division at the Florida…
Surviving Survivor w/ Liz Wilcox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:54
What we cover Why Wendi wanted the survival side of Survivor, not just gameplay The bathroom reality: no toilet paper, “Coconut Grove,” and leaf roulette The pre game survival briefing and what it does and does not teach…
How Small Homestead Skills Create Big Confidence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:18
In This Episode:Why Wendi is identifying as a quilter before making her first quiltThe power of practicing simple foundational skills like sewing straight seamsRaising and processing 42 meat chickens and what that teache…
Raising Meat Chickens: Questions People Always Ask [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:51
Why we decided to raise our own meat chickens instead of just buying “better” meatHow seeing someone else do it made us realize we could tryWhether you need land, special equipment, or a farm setupMeat chickens vs laying…
Homesteading on a Budget [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:54
When Wendi moved her family to Florida, she left behind something she now deeply misses.Not furniture.Farm tools.That realization became the heart of this episode.In this episode, we talk about:Why homesteading value liv…
Gardening Feels Hard Until You Do This [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:08
Why Container Gardening Works Almost AnywhereYou do not need land. Or a perfect setup. Just a place to start.Choosing Containers Without Buying Anything NewBuckets, bags, bowls, and things you already own can work just f…