As a Latina mom of two toddlers, running my own business while working part-time as a college counselor, I know firsthand the struggle of feeling like there are never enough hours in the day. The constant juggling act can be overwhelming, exhausting, and sometimes, as I discovered last October, it can bring you to your breaking point.
My Wake-Up Call
In Episode 95, I shared something I never thought would happen to me before: the panic attack that finally forced me to reconsider my relationship with time.
It happened on what seemed like an ordinary fall day. I was trying to do it all – manage the kids, meet work deadlines, keep up with household chores, respond to family messages, and somehow squeeze in time for my business. My chest tightened, breathing became difficult, and suddenly, I broke down in tears, unable to function.
This was my body’s way of saying, “Enough.” Something had to change.
That night, my husband and I sat down together. “What can I do? How can I help?” he asked, concern etched on his face. I realized I needed to understand where my time was really going and take decisive action to reclaim it.
The Time Thieves Robbing Us Blind
In this week’s episode, I dive deep into what I call “time thieves” or “time vampires” – those sneaky obligations, habits, and expectations that steal our precious hours without us even realizing it.
Did you know the average person checks their phone 96 times a day? That’s once every 10 minutes! And each time we’re interrupted, it takes an average of 23 minutes to get back to the task at hand. No wonder we never feel like we have enough time.
But our digital distractions are just the beginning. As Latina moms, we’re often carrying additional time burdens:
- The Impossible Standards: Many of us grew up watching our mothers and abuelas somehow manage to keep immaculate homes and prepare elaborate meals while meeting everyone’s needs. Now we’re trying to meet those same standards while also building careers and navigating modern parenting. These standards were challenging even then, they’re nearly impossible now.
- The Inability to Delegate: “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Sound familiar? This perfectionism keeps us trapped in patterns of overwork and burnout because we can’t trust others to do things “correctly.”
- The Guilt-Driven Yes: How often do you say yes to things you don’t actually have time for? Whether it’s volunteering at school, attending every family function, or taking on extra work, many of us struggle to set boundaries because we feel guilty saying no.
Beyond these visible time thieves, there’s the invisible mental load—the planning, organizing, remembering, and coordinating that keeps everything running. It’s keeping track of doctor’s appointments, remembering family birthdays, noticing when supplies are running low, and anticipating everyone’s needs before they even realize they have them.
The Myth That’s Hurting Us All
One of the most harmful myths we face as modern moms is the idea that we should be able to “do it all.” We’re bombarded with images of “supermoms” who seemingly balance successful careers, perfect homes, thriving children, and fulfilling personal lives without breaking a sweat.
But here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace: no one is doing it all. Not the influencer with the perfect Instagram feed. Not your colleague who appears to have everything together. Not even your own mamá or abuela, though they might have made it look effortless.
Everyone is making choices and sacrifices. Everyone is letting some things go to prioritize others. The difference is that some people are more honest about it than others.
Two Mindset Shifts That Changed Everything
Before diving into practical strategies on the podcast, I shared two powerful mindset shifts that transformed how I approach time management:
1. Your Time Is Valuable—Treat It That Way
Many of us have been socialized to treat our time as less valuable than others’. We put everyone else’s needs and schedules first, leaving ourselves with whatever scraps of time remain.
The first mindset shift is recognizing that your time is just as valuable as anyone else’s. You deserve to protect it, invest it wisely, and sometimes, keep some of it for yourself.
This isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. When you value your own time, you model healthy boundaries for your children. You show them that personal wellbeing matters.
2. Perfect Is the Enemy of Done (and of Joy)
The second mindset shift is releasing the grip of perfectionism. So many of us lose hours trying to execute tasks flawlessly – whether it’s preparing an elaborate meal or making sure our homes are spotless before having visitors.
Perfectionism steals not just our time, but our joy and satisfaction. When we’re striving for perfection, we’re rarely present in the moment. We’re focused on an imaginary standard rather than the actual experience.
Embracing “good enough” isn’t lowering your standards – it’s being realistic about what matters. Does it really matter if the laundry is folded perfectly, or just that clean clothes are available? Does the birthday cake need to be homemade and Pinterest-worthy, or is what matters the celebration itself?
The 3-Question Framework I Use Every Day
In the episode, I share a simple yet powerful framework I use to evaluate time commitments. Before saying yes to anything, I ask myself:
1. Is this aligned with my current priorities and values?
We all have limited time, which means we need to be intentional about how we use it. Before committing to something, ask yourself if it aligns with what matters most to you in this season of life.
2. What will I need to give up to make time for this?
When you say yes to one thing, you’re automatically saying no to something else. Time is a zero-sum game—there are only 24 hours in a day. Being clear about these trade-offs helps you make decisions with your eyes open.
3. Will this matter in a month? A year? Five years?
This question helps you distinguish between what’s urgent and what’s important. We often get caught up in tasks that feel pressing at the moment but don’t actually matter in the long run.
The One Strategy You Can Start Today
Of all the time management strategies I’ve tried (and I’ve tried many!), time blocking has been the absolute game-changer. This simple practice of scheduling specific blocks of time for different activities or types of tasks, rather than just working from a to-do list, has transformed my days.
What I love about time blocking is that it makes you proactive rather than reactive with your time. Instead of just responding to whatever demands come your way, you’re intentionally deciding how to use your limited hours.
It also makes the invisible work visible. When you block time for meal planning, school communication, or family coordination, you’re acknowledging the real time these tasks require.
And perhaps most importantly, time blocking helps ensure that your most important priorities – including yourself – don’t get pushed to the bottom of the list.
Your Time Is Valuable – Spend It Wisely
As I wrapped up the podcast episode, I shared a truth I want every Latina mom to embrace: reclaiming your time is not selfish; it’s necessary. When you take control of your time, you’re able to show up more fully for the people and activities that matter most to you.
The strategies I discussed are just the beginning of what’s possible when you decide to take back control of your days. In my Balanced Madrehood program, we dive much deeper into personalized time management strategies, addressing the cultural and family dynamics that often complicate time boundaries for Latina moms and creating systems that work for your unique life circumstances.
If you haven’t listened to the episode yet, I encourage you to make time for it – yes, I see the irony there! But I promise, these 30 minutes might just help you reclaim hours of your life moving forward.
And remember, amiga: your time is valuable. Spend it in ways that reflect that truth.
Show Notes
In part 2 of this special 8-episode Balanced Madrehood Series, I’m getting real about why modern Latina moms feel like they’re drowning in to-do’s while never accomplishing enough.
I open up about my own breaking point last October when I had my first-ever panic attack while juggling two toddlers, my business, and a part-time job. That moment forced me to completely rethink how I use my time, and in this episode, I’m sharing the exact strategies that helped me reclaim my days and my sanity.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
- Why our attempts to meet our mothers’ and abuelas’ standards of perfect homes and homemade meals don’t work in our modern lives
- How saying “yes” to everything (from family functions to school volunteering) is stealing precious hours you’ll never get back
- The truth about why you’re exhausted even when you can’t point to what you accomplished (hint: it’s the invisible mental load)
- A simple 3-question framework that makes saying “no” so much easier
- The practical time-blocking strategy that’s been a game-changer for me and the mamas I coach
Resources Mentioned:
- Episode 95: Navigating the Realities of Madrehood: A Raw and Honest Reflection
- Join the waitlist for my Balanced Madrehood coaching program: vivalamami.com/balanced-madrehood
About Jessica Cuevas
Jessica is the founder and creator of Viva la Mami, LLC a community centered around Latina motherhood. Jessica created this platform after not finding empowering stories about experiences of Latina moms. She realized that there was a lack of representation in this space and felt there was a need for mamis to share their stories and to learn more about the nuances about motherhood through a cultural lens.
Viva la Mami’s mission is to empower the modern Latina mom to redefine the meaning of madrehood through education, story-telling, and cultural relevance all while bringing comunidad together.
