Sis, let me tell you about the myth that had me in a chokehold:
“It’s too expensive.”
This one? Oh, it was my anthem.
It was the soundtrack playing in the background every time I thought about hiring help, investing in myself, or even just upgrading something in my life that would make things easier.
Because, let’s be real, doesn’t it feel responsible to say, “Oh no, I can’t spend money on that”?
Doesn’t it feel like the noble, selfless, mom thing to do?
Like, if I just keep pushing through and doing everything myself, I’m somehow earning my stripes as a good mother?
Yeah, I felt that too. Until one day, I didn’t.
The Myth of “Too Expensive”
Here’s what I’ve learned about the phrase “It’s too expensive”:
It’s almost never about the actual numbers.
It’s about what we believe we’re allowed to have.
When I said, “I can’t afford to hire help,” what I really meant was:
- “I don’t think I deserve something that makes my life easier.”
- “What if people judge me for not doing it all myself?”
- “I don’t want to admit that I need help.”
And let’s not forget the cultural conditioning that whispers:
- “Only rich people get help.”
- “If you’re not struggling, are you even a good mom?”
So, I stayed stuck–overworked, overwhelmed, and resentful.
I told myself I couldn’t afford help.
But truthfully?
I couldn’t afford not to.
The Cost of Believing the Myth
Here’s the thing no one tells you about doing everything yourself: it’s expensive.
Not in dollars, but in energy, time, and joy.
It cost me:
- Patience.
I’d snap at my kids over things that didn’t really matter because I was so stretched thin. - Health.
Stress eating, skipping workouts, and running on fumes became my normal. - My dreams.
I had ideas, goals, and ambitions, but no time or energy to pursue them because I was too busy folding laundry and cleaning up messes.
And let’s not even talk about how it cost me my peace of mind.
I’d lay in bed at night, replaying the day in my head, feeling like I failed at everything because there just weren’t enough hours in the day.
The real cost was energy, time, and joy.
The Shift: “Until It Wasn’t”
Here’s what changed everything: I stopped asking, “Is it too expensive?”
And started asking:
“What is this already costing me?”
When I looked at it that way, the math started mathing.
- Hiring a housekeeper twice a month?
That’s $200 I’m not spending on takeout because I’m too tired to cook. - Bringing in a part-time nanny?
That’s 10 hours a week I can use to work on my business, which makes me more money than I’m spending. - Investing in a meal delivery service?
That’s my mental load shrinking because I’m not stressing over what’s for dinner every night.
The ROI (return on investment) wasn’t just financial—it was emotional.
- I got my energy back.
- I got my evenings back.
- I got my joy back.
And when I showed up for my family, I wasn’t running on empty—I was present, patient, and happy.
Letting Go of the Guilt
Now, let’s talk about the guilt.
Because even after I started making these changes, I still had that little voice in my head saying:
“Who do you think you are, spending money on this?”
But here’s what I realized:
- My kids don’t need a mom who does it all. They need a mom who’s happy, healthy, and fully present.
- My worth isn’t tied to how much I can juggle or how exhausted I am at the end of the day.
- And asking for help doesn’t make me less of a mom—it makes me a smart mom.
So, I let go of the guilt. And every time it tried to creep back in, I reminded myself: I’m not just spending money—I’m buying back my time, my energy, and my peace.
What “Too Expensive” Really Means
When we say, “It’s too expensive,” what we’re really saying is:
- “I don’t think I’m worth it.”
- “I’m afraid of what people will think.”
- “I don’t trust that this will actually make a difference.”
But here’s the truth:
You are worthy.
You are allowed.
And yes, it will make a difference.
Because when you invest in yourself, you’re investing in your family, your future, and your freedom.
Sis, Let Me Set You Free
If “It’s too expensive” has been holding you back, I want you to ask yourself:
- What is doing it all myself already costing me?
- What would my life look like if I had help?
- And what’s one small step I can take today to make that happen?
Maybe it’s:’
- Hiring a babysitter for a few hours a week
- Outsourcing your grocery shopping or getting a meal kit
- Letting yourself believe that you’re allowed to have help.
Whatever it is, take the step.
Because the truth is, it’s only “too expensive” until it isn’t.
Reflection Prompt: Breaking Free from the Myth
What’s one area of your life where you’ve been telling yourself, “It’s too expensive”?
Write it down. Then ask yourself:
- What is this already costing me in time, energy, and joy?
- What would it feel like to let this go?
- What’s one small step I can take to free myself from this myth?
You deserve a life that feels good. Not just for your family, but for you.