The Made-Up Rules Making Motherhood Miserable

Why People Pleasing is so Exhausting

Why does people pleasing feel so exhausting? It's not just because you're doing too much. It's because you're spending your life trying to manage something you don't have access to: other people's thoughts. In this episode of Mom Maintenance, I share how years of trying to be the "good girl" left me disconnected from myself, constantly guessing what everyone else thought of me, and afraid to disappoint anyone. We'll talk about why people pleasing creates anxiety, resentment, and insecurity—and why the solution isn't getting everyone to approve of you. If you've ever replayed conversations, worried someone was upset with you, or said yes when you desperately wanted to say no, this episode is for you. It's time to stop trying to read minds and start trusting yourself. Listen in for a short pep talk that will help you feel a little lighter and a lot more connected to who you really are. To find out how you can get one on one coaching, go to annastice.com⁠ [annastice.com]

The Made-Up Rules Making Motherhood Miserable

Why does motherhood feel so heavy sometimes? What if it’s not just the endless responsibilities… but the constant belief that you’re failing at them? In this episode of Mom Maintenance, I’m talking about the invisible “shoulds” moms carry around every day, the comparison traps that make us feel like we’re never enough, and why guilt may not actually be helping us become better mothers at all. If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing your kids, falling behind, or missing motherhood while trying desperately to do it “right,” this episode is for you.

I thought the Problem was Me

Feeling overwhelmed as a mom doesn’t always come from your life being “too much.” Sometimes it comes from the constant pressure, guilt, and thoughts running through your mind all day long. In this deeply personal episode, I’m sharing my own story — from becoming the mom I always dreamed of being… to feeling crushed by the fear that I was never doing enough. I talk about: * the invisible “good mom” expectations so many women carry * how overwhelm and anxiety quietly took over my life * what changed when I discovered coaching and thought work * and why I created Mom Maintenance to help other overwhelmed moms experience the same transformation If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing, behind, emotionally exhausted, or constantly questioning yourself… this episode is for you. You are not broken. Your brain just needs maintenance. Learn more about coaching or book a free consultation at: AnnaStice.com [https://annastice.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

Are Your Goals Helping You or Hurting You

Are your goals motivating you… or quietly making you feel like a failure? In this episode of Mom Maintenance, we talk about why so many moms use goals as evidence that they’re not enough — and how to stop turning growth into self-criticism. Because goals were meant to guide you, not shame you.

The Lie That Good Moms Handle Everything Well

So many moms believe being a good mom means being patient all the time, keeping everything together, never needing help, and handling motherhood perfectly. But that standard is impossible — and exhausting. In this episode, we talk about the lie that good moms do it all flawlessly, and what actually makes a good mother instead. Spoiler: it’s not perfection. It’s apologizing after hard moments, learning as you go, asking for help, taking care of yourself, and continuing to show up with love. Your kids do not need a perfect mom. They need a real one. If you’ve been measuring yourself by an impossible standard, you need to listen to this episode.