How to Stay Strong When Everything Feels Overwhelming

 

What’s up wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people! 💖

Welcome to Maryam’s Joyful Life Blog.

Today is a beautiful day, and I’m so thankful you’re here!

I know firsthand what it feels like to be completely overwhelmed — when your mind is spinning, your heart feels heavy, and your body is exhausted. I’m a mom of three beautiful children and a business owner. Two of my kids are in school, and I have an infant at home. I don’t have a babysitter. Some days it feels like I can’t breathe, can’t catch a break, and have to multiply myself to meet everyone’s needs at once.

But here’s the truth — we can’t meet every need all at the same time. And when we realize that, it can leave us feeling helpless, inadequate, and even more overwhelmed. I get you! I’ve been there.

Over the years, I’ve learned some simple but powerful ways to stay strong when life feels like too much. Here’s what helps me most:

1. Pray Out Loud for God’s Help

When the weight is too heavy, I say:

“Lord, I need You because I can’t do this alone. Give me grace and strength right now in Jesus’ Name.”

Speaking those words shifts my focus from my weakness to God’s strength.

2. Read Uplifting Scriptures

God’s Word reminds me I’m not alone. Some of my go-to passages are:

• Psalm 27 – God is my light and salvation.
• Psalm 23 – The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.
• Psalm 91 – He is my refuge and fortress.

3. Fill Your Space with Worship

Sometimes I play gospel music as I go about my morning, or I take 5 minutes to just sit and listen to worship songs. Elevation Worship has been a huge blessing to me. Shoutout to Pastor Steven Furtick from Elevation Church!

4. Practice Stillness

Even just 2–5 minutes of sitting still with my eyes closed can help me reset. I breathe deeply, let my shoulders drop, and invite peace back in.

5. Go for a Walk

If I can, I take a 30-minute walk. Moving my body helps shift my attention from my problems to the present moment.

6. Write a Simple To-Do List

When I’m overwhelmed because there’s so much to do — kids, work, business, infant — I write everything down in order of importance.

Example:

1. Feed the kids breakfast
2. Get their uniforms ready
3. Make sure their book bags are packed

Breaking things into steps calms the chaos in my mind and makes it manageable.

💡 Here’s the takeaway:

You are capable of handling anything that comes your way because God is always with you. You are stronger than you think, and you’ve got this!

And remember — don’t let anyone steal your joy.

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With love and cheering you on,

Maryam 🌸

How Do These Perfect Moms Do It? (Spoiler: They Don’t, and That’s Okay!)

 What’s up wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people!

Thanks for stopping by Maryam’s Joyful Life blog today.

I have a question for you… how on earth do these “perfect moms” do it?

You know the ones I’m talking about — always looking spotless, smelling fresh like they just walked out of a luxury candle shop, and not a single hair out of place… even with an infant in tow.

Me? That’s not my reality.

I breastfeed, which means I’ve got big, sweaty breasts to keep clean, washed, and fresh all the time. My baby is a true foodie — and by foodie, I mean I’m basically her favorite napkin. It doesn’t matter if I’m wearing my whitest, crispest dress or the most expensive outfit I own… she’s going to wipe her little mouth and hands right on it. Every. Single. Time.

Do I carry burp cloths and extra napkins? Yes.

Does it matter? Nope. Somehow, I always end up as the main napkin.

Am I upset about it? No.

Am I sad for my poor white clothes? Maybe a little.

But as a mother to a happy, healthy, loud, and gorgeously sweet baby? Heck NO! I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Motherhood — in all its messy, goo-covered glory — is a gift I am forever grateful for. Every season I’ve spent bringing forth life has been one of my best seasons yet, because God trusted me with His precious gifts. Dirty clothes or not, every moment is worth it.

So, if you see me out in public smelling like baby poo, spit-up, or looking like I dove into a garbage can filled with mashed sweet potatoes and peas… I’m wearing it with pride and gratitude.

And if you’re in the season where your clothes are always stained and your hair hasn’t been washed in days, I want to encourage you:

Shift your perspective and give thanks.

There are thousands of people who would give anything to be in your position. Many are right now praying for babies and the fruit of the womb. Count your blessings, and don’t let false expectations — from social media or anyone else — make you feel small, less-than, or left out.

Allow yourself to truly enjoy your baby. Savor these growing moments. God is working in every step, and you may very well be nurturing the next great leader the world will ever see.

Mama, keep going and be encouraged. Soon enough, your breasts will be your own again, and your little one won’t be so little anymore. But for now, these messy, beautiful, exhausting, joy-filled days are building a lifetime of memories and lessons.

Thanks for reading.

Don’t let anyone steal your joy.

Sincerely,

Mama Covered in Baby Food,

Maryam ❤️

💛 When God Flips the Script: A Lesson on Compassion and Second Chances

 

What’s up wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people!

Thank you for stopping by MaryamsJoyfulLife blog today. It’s a beautiful day, and my heart is full because of the message I’m about to share with you.

We’ve all been there — making quick judgments about people before we’ve even given them a chance. Sometimes it’s with our words, other times it’s in our thoughts. But today, I want to remind us to be more compassionate and flexible, because we might just be wrong.

Thank God that not all of us behave the same way at all times. Thank God for our differences! If we were all the same, this world would be a dull place. And thank God that when we’ve needed help in our most desperate moments, He has sent someone to bless us — sometimes a total stranger — even after people we knew had refused to help.

Let me take you back many years ago in Lagos, Nigeria.

Basketball season had just ended, and I was at the car park, ready to board a commercial bus to Kaduna. The journey was going to be about nine hours long. While waiting, I noticed a young man at the park asking for money to pay for his transportation to Kaduna as well.

Immediately, I thought he was lying. I had heard so many stories of people pretending to need transportation money, only to run off once they got it. So, I told him I couldn’t help.

But here’s the twist: when I finally got on the bus and our journey began, guess who was sitting close to me? That same young man. My heart sank. I felt bad — not just for not helping, but for putting him in the same category as people who had lied in the past.

That day, I learned a powerful lesson:

If I’m able to help, I should help. If I’m not able, I should keep quiet and pray for the person instead of discouraging others from helping. I’m so glad the people who helped him didn’t listen to me!

God’s mercy humbles me because I’ve been in situations where I desperately needed help, and there were people who not only refused to help but also tried to convince others not to help me. Yet, God silenced their voices and raised help for me. That’s why today, I choose to help when I can, and I’m careful not to write people off. God is the Master at flipping scripts!

So I pray for myself and for you, dear reader — if we’ve ever been guilty of trying to obstruct someone else’s blessing, may God have mercy on us in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

And if you feel it in your heart to support someone today, consider supporting Dream Big Corp.

Here’s the link: Feed 100 Families Today

Don’t let anyone steal your joy.

With gratitude,

Maryam 💛

From London to Our Kitchen Table: The Heartwarming Story of My Sweetman’s Akara Burrito Creation

 

What’s up wonderful, amazing, sweet and lovely people, thanks for checking out Maryamsjoyfullife blog today. It’s a beautiful day and I’m feeling very excited because of today’s post.

So, two nights ago my sweetman created a brand-new akara invention — and oh my goodness, it was amazing!

You all already know by now that when I was in London recently, I learned how to make akara with red split lentils. I’ve already shared that recipe here on the blog, so if you missed it, you can check it out right here.

After basketball practice that evening, I suggested we make akara for dinner. The kids and my sweetman all agreed (of course, who can say no to akara?). Then my sweetman, being the foodie genius he is, said he was going to turn the akara into burritos. Now that caught my attention! He’s made some magical recipes before, so I knew this was going to be something special.

We stopped at the store on the way home and grabbed some giant tortillas. Once we got home, we made the akara together. Then he laid out the tortillas, arranged the fresh, golden akara in each one, drizzled on some chicken dipping sauce he bought from Walmart, and rolled them up into burritos.

He wasn’t done yet — he grilled each burrito on a hot pan lightly sprayed with oil until they were beautifully golden. He added cheese to his (and wow, the cheesy version was next level), but I had mine without cheese, and it was still absolutely delicious. The kids and I cleared our plates, and I couldn’t resist tasting his — yes, the cheesy one was amazing too.

I’ve shared the pictures with you in this post so you can see how beautiful they turned out. Now it’s your turn — give this akara burrito a try in your kitchen and enjoy a whole new twist on a classic!

Remember to have fun and enjoy every bite. And while you’re here, don’t forget to check out maryamsjoyfullifeluxuryvacation.com for all your travel needs.

Don’t let anyone steal your joy!

With love and blessings,

Maryam 💖