thedifferentmomblogAs a single mother, I know it’s hard to even think about you, much less find time to engage in self care. We always seem so busy, and thinking about everyone else but our selves. But trust me, it is important. I know you’ve heard “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” That’s why I’m giving you the Different Moms’ guide and different methods of self care.
**I do share things with you that I love and try. If you make purchases from any of the links I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you**
There are many ways to engage in self care. My list is not all you can do, because face it, we’re all different, and we all have different schedules, and different needs.
I my point is, I want to show you, you are worth it, and self care is important to your mental and physical health. You owe it to everyone you love, to love yourself.
Are these different methods of self care really important
I grew up in a two parent household, but I don’t remember seeing my mother take time for her self care. In fact I often heard the discouragement of others mothers participating in their own idea of self care.
For the longest I even thought as a mother, I shouldn’t do a lot of things, especially things for myself, because I was afraid it would be frowned upon.
And guys, when I say a long time, I mean for over thirteen years, I felt guilty for taking a “me” vacation, or going out with friends. I felt guilty for hiring a sitter for my children, while I did certain things.
But now I know how important it is to take care of myself.
I’ve seen so many of my friends sink into depression, and struggle to come out. Sickness even attacked my body. That’s when I realized, to be a good mom, I need to engage in self care.
It took me forever to realize this stuff. And neglecting self care is not OK. We have to learn to take care of ourselves so we can give our family our best self.
I’m not neglecting my children if I go to the gym, or if I go get a massage. I don’t do it very often. In fact, I usually scheduled my gym visits for my lunch break at work. I always want to spend as much time as possible with them.
But whatever your schedule, self care is important.
Whatever self care looks like for you. Make sure you plan it. It can be whatever works best.
Different Methods of Self Care
- Healthy eating
- Fitness
- Self development–reading books, conferences, blogs
- Hanging with friends
- Praying
- Rest
- Pampering yourself (massage, nails, hair salon
I won’t talk about these all here, because this is not a complete and total list of methods of self care. There are so many different ways you can love yourself.
Each person is different. I will only discuss a few.
Fitness & eating healthy are great methods of self care
Fitness is perhaps my favorite form of self care. I know you’re probably thinking WHAT?! Working out is torture, but trust me on this.
My dear friend, and personal trainer, Jesse Woodfork, always says love yourself enough and love your family enough to take care of yourself.
Working out and eating healthy to show your family and friends that you love them. Showing them that you want to be around as long as you can.
You’re probably thinking there’s no way you have time to workout. But trust me, if this single mama of three has time to schedule in a workout 5 times a week, so do you.
Look at my busy, full time life post, but then check out my FREE Time Management course, to see how I do it all, and get it all done.
It’s possible, trust me. So many mom bosses, and other moms can get it done, so can you. It’s all about what you value.
Staying healthy shows yourself, and your family that you love yourself, and you love them.
Science has even proven that when you move your body regularly, you feel better, and can help combat depression, and other illnesses that try to attack your body.
I don’t care what you decide to do, to get your workout in, just move! Go for a run, go to the gym for a class, lift weights. Whatever it is, promise me you’ll commit to moving thirty minutes a day.
If you need an accountability partner, shoot me an email. I’ll be that for you. Or enroll in my Time Manage Like A Mother course, and I’ll be with you for three weeks, to manage your time, to get it in.
Self Development
Forever growing, always learning! I honestly used to hate reading books, and participating in self development things.
But now, I’m always reading books on how to better myself. If you haven’t read Rachel Hollis’ books, “Girl, Wash Your Face” or “Girl, Stop Apologizing” to get you on track, you should!
Love yourself enough to better yourself. Always strive to be better. Don’t just shoot for best, shoot for better.
Grow mentally, spiritually, and physically. Continue to develop yourself.
Praying is a method of self care
I value my relationship with the Lord, who considers herself a Christian. Spending time in prayer. Making your request know.
Talking with your best friend daily. Showing that you care about things in your life enough to pray to Him is a form of self care.
You get to spend time alone in your prayer. It allows you to reflect on your day. On what you can do better, and where you can improve.
Sharing your request, talking about your issues, is a form of self care. Spill it all. Lay it all out. Don’t hold it all in.
Love yourself enough to fall into the arms of a loving God more times than you don’t.
And of course this tough one…
Pampering yourself
This is perhaps the area I fail most. I still feel guilty for doing things for myself.
For some reason it was drilled in my head that pampering myself had to be expensive, and therefore it was selfish.
Your pampering of yourself doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can find ways to save up to treat yourself.
Getting my hair done, or getting my nails done, or shopping for myself
I have always struggled with this. I have put it in my head, and allowed the lie of I don’t deserve it to take hold.
But let me tell you, you deserve it, and you owe it to yourself, and your family to pamper yourself from time to time.
If you live on a budget, budget it in, if you can. Don’t break the bank trying to pamper yourself.
Get the lies out of your head.
You must be your own advocate. Take care of your mental health as well as your physical health. Self care is a way to show your children you love them enough to be around as long as you can.
I want to stress to you all that are worried about not being a good mom if you take care of yourself. Your children won’t always remember what you will do for them, but they will remember what you do for yourself. And that does include methods of self care.
It is completely OK to love yourself enough to do this. Self care is not selfish. It has taken me years, and mounds and mounds of guilt to realize this. But now I realize it.
