As a new mom, with two under two, it is really easy to let my needs go behind everyone else’s. These babies rely on me (and my hubby) for literally everything, and it’s not only our job but our responsibility to take care of them. And sometimes this involves me letting my own needs and basic happiness fall to the wayside.
You know, like a shower? ;)
I mean, don’t get me wrong, being their mother is the most important thing I’ll ever do- I believe this wholeheartedly- but I’ve realized that to be the best mom I can, I must also take care of myself. A few days of completely drowning in motherhood taught me that lesson!
Life isn’t always glamorous (hello, spit-up on my clothes, blow-outs in my lap and dark circles under my eyes!), nor is it ever perfect, and it can be easy to get hung up on the imperfections, but I’ve realized it’s important to find the beauty in the imperfections. To find the perfection in the imperfections is something I strive to do, and to stop and really soak up and enjoy the small things.
I’ve found it’s just as important to take care of myself and have self-love as it is to take care of my family, and finding the balance is a constant challenge, but one that I am up to. And I’m slowly finding the little ways that I can do so…
Getting up a little earlier in the morning to wash my face and put on some makeup and a cute outfit always makes me feel confident and more productive during the day.
Getting in a shower (such a luxury for a mom, I know!) every day. That 5 minutes to myself is like a mini vacation!
Taking care of my hair and keeping it in great shape so that I can feel my most beautiful and confident self. I have been using Garnier® Whole Blends™ Hydrating line of shampoo, conditioner and treatment with coconut water and vanilla milk extracts. Not only do they smell amazing, but they leave my hair soft and vibrant, giving me confidence and making my hair routine simple and quick- something that’s very important for my busy life! I literally wash the night before, sleep in a braid and I’m good to go the next morning!
Getting in a workout every day. I notice if I miss a workout (admittedly, always because I was too busy with the kids), I am irritable and irrationally angry towards them! And how fair is that?! Not. At all. To anyone. So I make sure to get some sort of workout in every day, even if some days that means simply going out back and running around with Sam. Hey, I can work up a sweat doing that! ;) He’s happy, I’m happy, and everybody wins!
Those are just a few of the things I make sure to do every day to fill my cup.
What are some things that you do for yourself that make for a happier you?
xo
I wake up a few minutes early each day and lay in bed – checking e-mail, spacing out, whatever – those few minutes of calm help me be in a better frame of mind when I see the kids. Also, on Saturdays, I used to resent that my husband heads off to the gym for a few hours and I didn’t get the same opportunity. However, I started doing a workout video while watching my girls and now it’s something we look forward to – the older one frequently joins in and the younger one thinks what we’re doing is hilarious.
Though I am not a mom yet, I will be any day now. The things that keep me sane and happy on a daily basis are reading my Bible and praying, exercise, and putting a little effort into my appearance through a shower, make-up, an outfit etc. Those are the things I want to try to still maintain once a baby is here so that I can be the best mom possible for her!
Love this! You deserve to make time for yourself in order to feel good and be the best you can be. It can be overwhelming to be a mom, wife, etc. but it makes all the difference when you carve out a little time for you.
As a new mom, sometime I want to “do it all” myself but I am slowly realizing that this is a surefire way towards resentment and burn out. A happy mom is a better mom!
A few of the “me time” things I do would be, going for a run, sleeping in late, taking a nice long soak in the tub, and a hour of undisturbed reading. Not that any of that happens very frequently…lol
Love this, every mommy needs to take time for themselves. Just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean you have to give up the things you love. I’ve been working on my fitness and enjoy my time alone after my daughter goes to bed. This allows me to do something I love without taking time away from her. I also enjoy blogging about my fitness and life in general. It’s my happy place ????????
As a new mom, I have learned that a daily shower is a luxury unlike any other. Mini vacation is right. I look forward to it every single day. However, just getting up and playing with my little one in the mornings, then getting dressed in something cute (even if we don’t have anywhere to go) makes my day brighter.
I take walks for myself.
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/727922366442016770
Something I rarely get to do but always enjoy is taking a bit of me time to read a good book.
I make myself happier by taking time for myself by talking walks, taking hot baths, getting a manicure and going to my favorite coffee shop and having a drink and reading a good book!
tweet: https://twitter.com/Twenteries/status/727923647009198082
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/727923766454411264
I am not a morning person but getting up at least an hour before my daughter lets me shower, eat breakfast and do my quiet time before she wakes. Even if the day is hard at least I’ve showered and had my time with Jesus and fed myself ;) And I crochet for a creative outlet ;)
I have really been enjoying prenatal yoga through this first pregnancy. Taking time to soak up baby and me moments before they’re even here. It’s also magical what a good cup of coffee can do along with a good book. Any quiet time is always recharging. :)
Watching my TV shows at night after everyone else is asleep…it’s like my therapy
I take hot bubble bath
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/727942656920166400
I wake up early to take a shower and have a cup of coffee before getting the kids up for the day.
Enjoying a cup of hot chocolate & reading my fave book does the trick.
Twitter entry: https://twitter.com/joti67/status/727997614323552256
I like to take long walks just to clear my head.
https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/728012863298777088
I love getting a run in for myself or reading a book with a big cup of coffee’!
Read whenever I can (I use my kindle app on my phone so that I always have a book with me). I also wind down in the evening by looking at fashion blogs, including yours of course!
Awww you are too sweet! :) Gosh I miss reading- I need to just read whenever I can, too, even if that means while nursing Sophie. ;)
xo
I accept help when it is offered to me! Now that I’m a mother, I’ve learned to graciously accept help????
Love your posts, I stumped upon them while looking for blogging tips and I’m hooked!
Xo,
Jess
You are the sweetest!! So glad you found my blog! :) And YES to accepting help- that is a hard one to learn, I get it. Took me until my second baby really to realize how important it is!
xo
Every year I take a road trip to the beach with close friends for a little time to ourselves. It’s the best stress reliever for all of us.
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/728190526063816704
I agree! We all have to make sure we take time for ourselves. As moms sometimes we have to make ourself take the time. ????
I wake up early so I can be sure to get a workout and shower before the kids wake up. Makes for a much happier mommy!
I love to take a hot bath and read a good book during my me time. When I’m lucky to have some me time.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/728391332075429889
I love to wake up early go out on the back porch and just watch the sunrise with a good cup of coffee to get my day going!
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/728397964864040960
I take time to do something I enjoy each night – such as reading!
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/728556553683505154
I am always happier if I exercise so I make it a point to wake up early each day and either go for a run or go to the gym. It makes me feel great!
get a pedicure
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/728634866695311361
I try to get a little quiet time to read.