
Welcome to The Wholehearted Mom Podcast! It’s our launch season and I am so honoured to have you here. You’ll be glad you joined.
Today I got to interview the lovely Jesi Whelan. Jesi is a mom of 2, entrepreneur, and family advocate who sees the best in others and refuses to leave the world the same or worse off than the way she found it.
In this episode Jesi talks about simplicity in family life including what simplicity isn’t, and ways to have less but do more.
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Sarah Reckman
Episode #14: Ways To Achieve Simplicity As A Mom
Mother-overload is real! I often compare a a mom’s brain to that of the 401 Highway in Canada. Its always jammed packed with so many things going on. Trying to juggle all the things while some things are going down off ramps and new things are merging on.
If I am being honest… one of the biggest yelling triggers for me is mom sensory overload. You know that feeling when the constant mom, mom, mom nagging, and loud playing, and barking dog, and beeping phone finally just get to you? Sometimes it’s just too much.
So I am constantly asking myself, how can I simplify things. How can I make my life easier as a mom? This is why I was excited to be interviewing Jesi Whelan all about creating simplicity in family life.
Below are some highlights/quotes from our conversation.
We explore what simplicity is by really talking about what it isn’t.
“It isn’t just a fad, or an aesthetic. It’s not about passing judgement on those who are not embracing zero waste – we recognize there is a financial cost to making some sustainable choices so we are speaking to those who have the means to take action.”
We are coming from a place of collaboration and a sense of social obligation as a whole”
“And taking that split second to make an informed, intentional decision I think really helps in terms of working towards that goal of simplicity.”

Moms are so busy. So, how does a mom even know where to begin?
“Start with 1 thing and start small. Reflect on what your #1 thing is and then give yourself space and grace in the other areas of your life”
For example:
- Spend 5 minutes a day unsubscribing from junk emails or deleting old message (Recommended by Digital Declutter Sheila Penton)
- Set a 5-10 min timer before going to scroll on social media
- Just clean or declutter one area at a time (medicine cabinet, kids drawers)
- Set a timer for 10-20 mins and tidy up or declutter as much as you can in that time frame.
- Simple meals and meal schedule. (Psst… it’s ok to have finger foods, and charcuterie style meals)
#1 way is by being Intentional
It’s very uncomfortable to sometimes just be alone with yourself and look inward and ask yourself great questions.
So, one way that I was prompted to do this was by a writing program called Self-Authorship.
Which was developed by Dr. Jordan Peterson and a colleague. The program helps you to learn to zoom out and participate in your life not just as an observer but to create and write your story!

Not Alone - Rapid Fire Mom Questions
#1 - What is one thing that you long for?
My own secluded yoga gazebo in the woods. A place to just run away and practice in quiet.
#2 - As a working mom, what keeps you up at night?
Uncertainties about the future. About what the education and job situation will be like for my kids in 5, 10, 15, 20 years. Compounded with concerns about my aging parents.
The future in the short, medium, and long term. And climate change is a huge part of that, right? So, that’s what gets me thinking.
#3 - What is one lesson that you have learned along the way that is important to pass on to other working moms?
Learn to establish and hold boundaries.
I think this is what so much of mental health, wellbeing, and self care is.
People say, Put your own oxygen mask on first. People say fill your own cup. And what that really comes down to is boundaries.
“The people who are capable of the most compassion are also the people who assert and maintain the firmest boundaries” ~ Brene Brown
Mentioned in this Episode:
- Book: Atomic Habits By James Clear
- Digital Declutter Sheila Penton
- Conscious closet by Elizabeth Klein
- Project 333
- Allie Casazza
- Book: Burnout by Emily & Amelia Nagoski
- Mom CEO Group Coaching Program
- The Working Mom Club (Accountability group)
- Private Coaching for Career-driven Moms