Don’t forget to take care of yourself!
6 SIMPLE self-care ideas for a busy (tired) momma
100% transparency here: Summer was THE WORST!
Balancing work, being at home with my little one longer than normal, and balancing the chaotic summer schedule was just A LOT. So, of course, enter the super NOT helpful negative self-talk. Thoughts like: “This is hard because you aren’t a good Mom…You can’t handle this because you’re not committed enough…other Mom’s NEVER feel this way…” blah blah blah.
For some reason, it took me until the tail end of summer to realize what the deal was: my me-time was gone and I was just burnt out. My schedule had changed and I had compensated for everything BUT the most important thing: self-care.
So here are few of the simple little things that I find keep me grounded and SANE during the incredibly busy seasons of life.
Self-care made simple:
Challenge your brain.
My brain so quickly goes into auto pilot these days. I sometimes find myself in a zombie state and just accept that I’m stuck there. I find it helpful to find time each day to challenge your brain! Learn something new, work on a crossword or sudoku puzzle, listen to a new podcast, or read about something you don’t know much about.
Read something you love.
I LOVE to read. YA, historical fiction, scy-fy…even cook books! So one of the things that I find helpful is having a stack of books ready to go for those moments I feel like I need just a little escape. Have reading time with your kiddos or put off the chores during nap time and let yourself slip away to another world for just a moment.
Girls Night In.
I think one of the most crucial things to self-care is getting some time with people who are around the same age as you! Plan a low key girls night-in with a few of your closest friends so you can connect AND relax in your PJ’s at the same time!
Have a hot beverage.
I have come to discover that I struggle to function if I cannot drink 1 full cup of hot coffee. Something about a hot beverage reminds me of stillness, new beginnings, and peace. There is no worse feeling than finding that mug in the microwave or taking a big (needed) sip only to be greeted by a cold, gross drink. So, let yourself have that 15 minutes to prepare for the day!
Treat yo self!
In the words of Tom Haverford, sometimes you just have to treat your self. I’m not talking about up and leaving on a luxurious vacation or spending hundreds of dollars on a new wardrobe (but if you can, GO for it!!) I’m talking about getting your favorite lunch to go, or buying a new nail polish color, or eating a tub of ice cream during nap time. You deserve it momma. Because you work really hard!
Learn to forgive.
Some days are just hard. The only way to make it through is to forgive yourself, practice making it right, and trying it again the next day. On those hard days, the last thing you need to do is beat yourself up about “messing up”.
What do you need?
If you find yourself struggling consistently to make it through each day, it might be time to re-evaluate your own self-care plan. Remember, if you aren’t taking care of yourself, it makes it really hard to take care of others. These 6 easy self-care ideas are manageable for me and cater to my individual likes and needs; try them out or spend a little extra time making your own list!
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