Self-Care

One thing that has been huge for me this year is self-care. I always put myself last. A mom to three children should be very easy. I make it complicated by throwing all of my energy into my husband and trying to fix his addiction; I was throwing myself into my kids or housework. I have always been the last person on my mind.

Through years of counseling, e-courses, and tons of articles I have found online, I have finally realized that I need to be my number one priority, always.

That being said, putting myself as a priority and doing self-care is freaking hard!

One thing that I have realized is self-care doesn't have to be something extravagant, and it is something that you can do with your kids if you have to. Here are ten things that I have found to help me throughout the day to stay sane!

1. A bubble bath or a bath bomb. I like to do this at night, preferably when the kids are in bed. I love to turn on our jetted tub, light candles, and soak in the tub with music or a book for at least an hour. Just something that makes you feel good where you can relax in peace. Something else that can go along with this is a spa night. Mani/Pedi facials, the whole nine yards.

2. Yoga. I feel like a lot of people underestimate yoga. I know I did. But I have found it is essential to my healing. Connecting with my mind and body In a way that I never have before has been life-changing. Exercise is good too. Just do something to get your body moving.

3. Get outdoors. I don't care what you do. Just get out of the house and have a change of scenery. Going for a walk around the neighborhood or even sitting on my porch swing has done wonders.

4. Watching a favorite TV show, movie, playing a game (candy crush) do it in moderation. No more than an hour, or else it turns into numbing out vs. self-care, and it doesn't do you any good. It goes along with food too. If you get a treat for your care, do not overdo it and binge. That is the opposite of Self Care.

5. Diet Coke through a straw. Something so silly and simple. I love drinking a cold can of Diet Coke through my favorite glass straw. It brings joy to my soul.

6. Dance it out. Turn up the music and be silly and crazy. Belt out songs. My kids and I love this. Music is our lives.

7. I love going for drives, especially at night when the streets are empty. I find it oddly calming. And I listen to slow jams with low volume while I slowly cruise down the streets.

8. Journal. I have been doing a lot of this lately. And I've learned a lot about myself in doing so. Unless I'm following journal prompts (in-depth journal questions) that make me think, I write without thinking, sometimes it doesn't even make sense, but free writing is so freeing. Haha, imagine that. Plus it helps clear out your mind so you can think more clearly. Planners go along with this. I love planners and planner accessories, so I find it soothing to decorate my planner and plan the day or month out. Even though nothing ever goes according to plan, it relaxes me and makes me feel somewhat better about my life.

9. Coloring. I love to color and draw. That's all I used to do when I was younger. I was always creating stories and making books. I just started doing this again, and it has brought out hidden creativity, and I have enjoyed myself. My kids also love coloring and drawing together. We encourage and inspire each other. It's been enjoyable.

10. Getting ready, even overdoing it and dressing up. As a stay at home mom, I'm always in my sweats and over-sized tees with no makeup and yesterday's hair. But dressing up and getting ready, even if I'm staying at home improves my mood, and it makes me not want to be lazy. Sometimes I feel like it's a waste of makeup, but even throwing On mascara or doing my eyebrows makes me feel good. Don't get me wrong, I'm still in my comfies the majority of the time, but prettying up is fun too and makes you feel good. Plus your significant other will enjoy it also.

Self-care is a crap ton of work, and it's not easy. But it can be. Make it simple. Make it only five minutes if you have to. Sit in your car and eat that extra donut you were bringing for your spouse. (I do this weekly and never tell!) Self-care. Make it simple. Make it fun. Make it to you. No shame, no judgment. Now take care of yourself the way that you want to as long as it makes you happy and gives you some rejuvenation.