Moms Need Self-Care, but Seriously How?
Reading Time: 3 minutes “Shot gun!” is cried out when a child is trying to make sure they have the honor of riding “up front” in the car. Riding in the front seat is a kind of luxury. the seats are roomier, there is more legroom, you can see much better, depending on moms mood, you may have total access to the tunes and you may get first “dibs” on moms attention.
People say children are resilient, I argue that children are fabulous at self-care which enables them to be more flexible with their world and the changes that occur.
Mom, sometimes you feel strung out and to the point of breaking, the opposite of flexible and prepared for changes in schedules, for example. “Everyone,” from social media to conferences (yes and the Epic Mom Life Summit that I am hosting just for you) to magazine articles are telling you how important it is to “fill your cup” and add self-care to your weekly routine.
If you have energy and time left over, you laugh. If not, there is a heavy eye roll. When, amidst all of the chaos, activities, schooling, meals, laundry, (let’s just call of the “stuff” we do at home, home chores, because the list is so long) are you going to add self-care?
Imagine a cup, every day that you give and do for others, you take from the cup, little drops. When you take time out for you, the cup fills in tablespoons. It is an amazing return on investment. However, if your cup runs dry, it is very difficult to completely refill it.
So, what are some ways you can fill that cup that do not add to your “to-do” list and cause you more stress or guilt because you never “crossed them off?”
Join with other moms!
This group is designed to help you simplify your life while connecting you to moms who “get it.”
- Go for a walk: outside even for just 10 minutes each day.
- Create one “no social media” day a week: check in with yourself at the end of that day, how do you feel?
- Journal: this can be done through writing or voice command on your phone, just record one thing you are grateful, excited, or happy about-start on a positive note.
- Craft/Hobby: Immerse yourself in an interest and time block at least two hours a week to work on it.
- Create a weekly “coffee” date: Reach out to other moms and meet weekly.
- Create something you look forward to each month: I planned couples bunco monthly, we had cards and dinner when we were younger, but plan something with other adults that will cause laughter and enjoyment.
- Do your children have a bedtime routine? Create one for yourself: a bath, a 20 minute stretch routine, read a book, etc. something you can look forward to at the end of your day.
Mom, you keep the house running, but who keeps you going? Just like the car, you need to make sure you go in for your regular “maintenance” so that you perform at your best. Self-care is not a luxury, it is required, but it is also something we all need to learn how to give ourselves and how it looks and works in our lives.
Olaf from Frozen spoke to all mothers when he said, “Love is putting someone else’s need before yours.” However, he did not realize that what we really needed to hear was that our love is just as intense and we are still committed when we take little windows of time for ourselves.