A Softer Way Through January

Hi Mamas - 

Stress has a sneaky way of showing up quietly. Not always as a breaking point, but as constant pressure. A full plate. A mind that won’t shut off. A body signaling for help.

And while we’re often told to “manage it better,” what if the goal isn’t fixing stress—but softening its edges?

This week, we’re talking about small shifts that actually help. No overhauls. No unrealistic routines. Just practical ways to lighten the load.

We’d love it if you’d share The CARRY™ ALL newsletter with another mama who needs it. Pass on the love with your referral link!

Enjoy!
-CARRY™ Team

 This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

• ⏰ The Power of the First and Last 10 Minutes

• 😮‍💨 What’s Making Life Harder Than It Needs to Be?

•  📚 Your 2026 Reading List

THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣  ⏰ The Power of the First and Last 10 Minutes

Stress often sneaks in during transitions—waking up already behind or ending the day overstimulated and depleted. The way we open and close our days quietly shapes everything in between.

A few practical ideas to try:

• A two-minute “before the phone” pause in the morning to breathe, stretch, or simply orient yourself before the noise starts.

• One non-negotiable closing habit at night, like a nighttime cup of tea, stretching, or taking a few deep breaths to signal to your body that the day is winding down.

• Set out tomorrow’s essentials —lay out your outfit, prep breakfast or lunches, or jot down your top 3 priorities for the next day. Starting with a little structure reduces stress before the day even begins.

Think of these minutes as gentle bookends, helping your day feel a little more held and a little less hurried.

💭 What would feel most supportive in the first or last 10 minutes of your day right now?

2️⃣   😮‍💨 What’s Making Life Harder Than It Needs to Be?

When stress builds, more strategies are not always the answer. What we really need is RELIEF.

We loved the conversation Bailey started in her Instagram post HERE, especially the comment section. People are sharing such helpful, practical ideas for reducing everyday friction and freeing up mental space.

What little friction could you change today? Share in the comments here!

3️⃣  📚 Your 2026 Reading List

🙋🏽‍♀️ Raise your hand if you’re giddy with excitement for 2026 book releases!

Here’s our list of the Most Anticipated Books of 2026, and we’re on the edge of our seats waiting to dive in. What’s on your 2026 reading list?

📰 IN THE NEWS

Free Child Care Coming to NYC?

New York City parents may soon see free child care for children under five under a new plan announced this week by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The initiative builds on the city’s existing universal 3K and pre‑K programs and will initially focus on high‑need areas before expanding citywide over the next few years. Officials say the effort is designed to ease the high cost of early childhood care and support working families by saving billions in expenses and expanding access to affordable programs for young children.

👉 Read more here.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎
for the mom with older kids

• Struggling to parent your teens? This mom has a theory: you might not know your kid. Sure, you might have known the younger version of them. But right now, have you gotten to know all their friends, what they like to eat and drink, what they prefer to wear, and what they truly love spending their time doing? Without really knowing the person your kid has become, it can be incredibly hard to connect with them, and in turn parent them. What are your thoughts on this? We’d love to know in the comments!

• Believe it or not, teens are often just as overwhelmed during and post holiday season as we are – but for different reasons. They might be stressed from seeing more distant family members, dealing with family drama, and even being triggered by grief. While parents can’t necessarily alleviate all that stress, there are a few things they can do to help, like empowering them to create healthy boundaries.
  

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