Alright.  

I have something to say.  

Listen up people (especially all of the moms out there – this one is for you).

Taking a shower, peeing alone, and completing your skin care routine are NOT ways to practice self-care.  Let me repeat that.  Completing daily hygiene tasks are NOT and NEVER WILL BE acts of self-care.  

Wait.  I know what you are thinking.  

Going to the grocery store alone – that HAS to be self-care. Right? 

NO.

Cooking alone in the kitchen while the kids play outside – that is DEFINITELY self-care. Right?

NOPE. 

You are totally doing the whole self-care thing wrong. 

Don’t worry.

I’m here to help you, boo!

You need to take care of yourself before you take care of anyone else.  

Close your eyes and pretend you are on an airplane.  You see the nice stewardess in the front going over all of the safety procedures.  One of those procedures is how to put on your oxygen mask in case of an emergency.  She says to be sure you put yours on FIRST and THEN to help others who may be struggling.  Why?  Because if you don’t help yourself first, you are going to be passed out on the damn floor of the airplane and everyone you were going to help will still be struggling.  It won’t matter how much you wanted to help or how much help you could offer, because the only way you were going to help everyone else was by helping yourself first. 

This is the same with motherhood.  Being a mom is one of the hardest (and most rewarding) jobs ever.  We love the little beings we create more than anything in the world and will to anything and everything to make their life great.  Right?  

Well.  You can’t pour love and care from an empty cup.  You need to fill your own from time to time in order to help our little loves be the best they can be.  Self-care not only helps you be a better you, it helps you be a better mom. 

Now that we have established that self-care is important AF, how the hell do you do it?

(since daily hygiene and house chores do NOT count)

Here are some ideas (some of which I do and LOVE) and some tips on how to practice self-care.  

Top Ten Self-Care Success Tips and Ideas

• Do not make self-care a chore.  Incorporating self-care practices into your schedule should not feel like one more thing that you need to cross off of your to-do list. Be sure to choose things that you actually want to do for you.
• Schedule self-care into your day just like you schedule work, meals, and school activities.  I like to try to do something small for myself each day and then something I really look forward to at the beginning of each month.
  
  
• Self-care doesn’t have to be some crazy expensive day full of pampering (unless you want it to). It is so individualized.  I love waking up each morning before my daughter to drink my coffee, put on my oils (Great Day Protocol alwayyyys), and either listen to a book/podcast or sit in silence and focus on my breathing.  I also don’t miss a monthly massage.  (I always make sure to schedule the next while I am still there in order to not make excuses for going.)
  
  
• Find time for your friends.  For mamas with older kiddos and between school, work, and extra-curricular activity schedules, it can be nearly impossible to find time to see your friends.  Make the time.  Set up time in advance on a recurring basis to see friends. Go on a walk, grab coffee, work out together, anything that gets you together and enjoying each other’s company.
   
• Try something new.  Have you always wanted to learn a new skill that you just never found time to do? Now is that time!  Take time to learn something that you are interested in.  It may take longer than you initially anticipated, but you will enjoy doing something for you.
   
• Reclaim your love for forgotten hobbies and skills.  Do you miss playing a certain sport or instrument? Do you miss crafting or being creative? Get back into it!
  
  
• DO NOT have the dreaded “mom guilt” because you are using your time/money to do something for you.  It is important for every member of your family to have an outlet that is used for self-care (that includes you).
   
• Be sure to communicate your self-care needs to your family.  Chances are, your partner will be more than willing to take on tasks while you are having time to yourself.  Remember, they aren’t going to know how you feel without you being open and communicating with them.
   
• Don’t do it all yourself.  Yes, you are a badass, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ask for your help from either your family or a professional.  Is there a house task that needs to be completed but you just don’t have the time or energy? Is there something you absolutely hate doing and wish it was easier? Get the help you need and deserve.  Set up chore charts, hire someone to clean, order form a meal subscription service; do things that help you lighten the load and focus on the parts of your day that you thoroughly enjoy.
   
• Get out of the f*cking house.  As a work from home mom, you have no escape.  I get it. You do everything from one location.  Being surrounded by all of the demands from each aspect of your life 24/7 can be very overwhelming and draining.  Getting out of the house, breathing in fresh air, and seeing things other than the same walls and faces can help you gain mental clarity and help you manifest new ideas and inspiration. 

You deserve self-care more than anyone.  Be an example for your family by showing them that the best way to be your best for others is to start with yourself.  

What are some ways that you practice self-care? Message me!  I would love to try to add something new to my self-care practice.

xo, Kiera