Want to know what I did this past weekend? 10 loads of laundry. Around the same number of dishes. Picked up the kids’ toys about 400 times – and yet, Ben proclaimed it the best weekend we’ve had in years. Uhh…why?
Because I read a book.
Lilac Girls in case you’re wondering – soo good! Ok, we also visited the butterfly house at Reimen Gardens, ordered nachos from Club Car, and made homemade ravioli, which were all pretty great, but truly the reason why my husband was so excited about this weekend was because I relaxed for a couple of hours and read on the couch. If that doesn’t tell you something about the usual state of affairs at my house, I’m not sure what will!
That is to say, I stink at sitting still. If I’m not doing something productive with a visually rewarding outcome then I feel lazy and honestly a bit overwhelmed. How crazy is that? Maybe some of you don’t understand this concept, though I’m guessing more then a few of you can relate.
thoughts on self care
I’m constantly filling any extra time I have with things I feel I should be doing vs things I actually want to do.Â
Over the years, long workouts, leisurely Saturday mornings, and yes, – reading! – have been replaced with organizing the laundry room, testing a recipe for the blog, calling the fence repairman (anyone know a guy?) and most importantly, being a present mom to my kids. Hey, that’s adulting, and I sure am happy to be in this season of life, but nowhere does “me time” fit into the current mix. I’m constantly filling any extra time I have with things I feel I should be doing vs things I actually want to do.Â
All that said, let’s talk self care. Specifically making TIME for self care and not feeling GUILTY about making time for self care. When I spend time on myself it feels like I’m taking it away from people who need it more, aka my kids. The good (and bad) part is that I know this isn’t true. We’ve all heard it 1,000 times before but let me drill it into your – OUR – brains one more time: self care makes us better people which in turn makes us better partners, parents, friends, children, and co-workers. I can’t tell how how much more patient I am as a parent, and more understanding I am as a wife, when I’m also taking care of myself.
The key is actually doing it!
Usually my excuse is there’s no time. That said, a blogger who I’ve followed for years just had her 4th baby a couple months ago and is already back at the gym. Clearly there’s time – the key is prioritizing the 24 hours we have in each day. Ask yourself, what do you give time to in your everyday life that doesn’t fulfill you? I’m thinking more then a few of us will answer social media. When’s the last time you felt better and more enriched after scrolling through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter? I’m personally going with never. Again, ask yourself what unfulfilling thing/person/activity can you give up in order to fit even 10 minutes of self care into your day? Maybe it’s pointless meetings that could be taken care of with an email or quick phone call, giving time to gossipy friends, or watching too much tv.
thoughts on self care
Clearly there’s time – the key is prioritizing the 24 hours we have in each day. Ask yourself, what do you give time to in your everyday life that doesn’t fulfill you?Â
The other key, in my opinion, is accepting help. I gave a talk at a blogger’s conference last year about virtual assistants and when I dropped the knowledge bomb that nearly every blogger who seems to be “doing it all” had help, you could almost see the lightbulb go off in a few attendee’s minds. The people who appear to have it all/do it all don’t have extra hours in the day, they get help! For the non-business owner this means relying on spouses, partners, friends, parents, siblings, babysitters, house cleaners, lawn care companies, etc. Accepting help is crucial in order to make time for yourself. Something I rarely do, which is why Ben was so excited that I took him up on his suggestion to relax and read this weekend.
See, it’s really only been over the past month or so that I’ve made an effort to prioritize self care. The fact that our third is on the way is finally hitting me, along with the realization that whatever free time I currently have is about to be further reduced. It’s truly now or…another 3-4 years from now. That said, here’s what’s helped me make the mental shift:
- Accepting the fact that Ben can do anything I can do. Not that I’ve ever doubted his parenting abilities for a second (I’m the one usually taking parenting notes from him) but realizing that I’m not my children’s entire world has been freeing. Our boys aren’t newborns anymore and don’t physically need me within 10 feet of them at all times.
- Understanding that self care doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money. Manicures and massages are great but so is making time to go to the dentist, reading a book, or grabbing coffee with a friend. Simple things that make you feel like an actual person! I think this an important realization to come to in order to let go of guilt over taking time for self care.
- PUTTING STUFF ON THE CALENDAR. Sorry to shout, but this has been the only thing that works for me in terms of actually following through with spending time on myself. If it’s not on the calendar I will find 101 reasons not to do it. See organizing the laundry room, working, doing chores, etc. above. Make “appointments”, put them on the calendar, and DO. NOT. BUDGE.
- Realizing that self care doesn’t have to take hours, because honestly who has the freaking time – even after prioritizing! It’s amazing what getting out of the house for a quick drive with the music blasting can do for the soul. Live texting The Bachelor with a friend, or taking a quick walk around the block works great too!
thoughts on self care
Self care can simply be a habit or activity that you can’t wait to do.
I’m sure you don’t need any help coming up with ways to spend your newly found free time, but in case you do, here are 50 self care ideas to try out. This list actually started out as 20 but there are so many ways to treat yourself – I’m sure I could easily come up with 50 more!
50 Self Care Ideas
- Sit in the sunlight for 10 minutes
- Drink a lemonade
- Buy a pair of well-fitting jeans
- Choose an apple over a cookie
- Choose a cookie over an apple
- Organize a space or room that’s been bugging you
- Scrapbook
- Try a new skincare regimen
- Pray
- Meditate
- Workout
- Watch a trashy television show
- Take a solo walk, jog or bike ride
- Read a book
- Go to the movies
- Get a manicure/pedicure
- Get a message
- Get a haircut
- Get annual doctor appointments on the calendar
- Meet friends for a coffee or drink
- Talk out a problem with someone you trust
- Seek help for something you’ve been struggling with
- Donate your “skinny clothes”
- Make a green smoothie
- Go thrifting/antiquing
- Buy a fun new item at the grocery store that’s just for you
- Take a hike
- Inhale/diffuse calming essential oils
- Cook a new-to-you recipe
- Take a community ed class (I took a cake decorating class in my early 20s by myself and it was so much fun!)
- Listen to music
- Garden
- Put on a facemask
- Take a bubble bath
- Take a mental health day
- Take a new-to-you fitness class
- Watch the sunrise or sunset
- Curl your hair/try a new hairstyle
- Binge watch a TV show
- Make cookies just for the dough
- Buy yourself a bouquet of flowers
- Give up a bad habit
- Take a nap
- Craft or DIY a project
- Organize/plan a trip
- Color in an adult coloring book (not the triple X kind, you guys!)
- Listen to an inspiring podcast
- Make a cup of tea or coffee
- Do a puzzle
- Stretch for 10 minutes
Self care looks different to everybody but to me it’s simply a habit or activity that I can’t wait to do. So what do you think – can you put your needs before other’s on a regular basis? What can you give up in order to free up even 10 minutes a day to devote to self care? What’s your favorite way to take a little time for yourself?
PS thank you for your honest thoughts on my last post. Sorry if I was unclear – recipes are going NOWHERE, and this is not becoming a Mommy blog! :)
Ginny 03.14.2018
Love #8! What are you using these days?
Allison Frederick 03.13.2018
Thanks for the post. I am sure most moms can relate to this one, including myself.
Lisa 03.13.2018
Love these kinds of posts and love the book recommendations, keep them coming!
anna* 03.13.2018
You are so “type A” (I mean that in the best way) and I’m definitely the opposite, but regarding “adult” coloring books… the “British Swear Words Adult Colouring Book” I have is fantastic.
Stephanie 03.13.2018
This is me 110%…never sitting still and when I do feeling exactly like you…lazy! Such pressure we put on ourselves for no reason! I’ve been trying to focus on self care more in 2018 and am slowly getting more used to pausing more and realizing that life still keeps going without me spinning in a million directions!
Briana 03.13.2018
So I don’t want to turn your rare self-care moments into “work”, but the combination of your last two posts reminded me that I LOVE your book recommendations- I’m a longtime reader of your blog, and flew through every Sarah Jio book you recommended (and all her others) a couple years back. I was so happy for the book rec in this post! Would love to see more included here and there as you incorporate some more lifestyle posts!
kaitlyn 03.13.2018
love the selfcare tips! these are unusual and creative ideas.
kaitlyn 03.13.2018
love the selfcare tips! these are unusual and creative ideas. — long time follower from Grimes Iowa! (followed freshman year of high school. Now 25 years old CO resident!) Thanks Kristin!
Jennifer 03.13.2018
LOVE Lilac Girls!! Great book! I didn’t get a chance to comment on your last post but I really like it when you do lifestyle posts and would love to read more!
Michelle 03.13.2018
We’ve used American Fence here in The Des Moines Area and we’ve been really happy with them ! Thanks for book rec, going to put a hold on it at library ? self care as a momma is so hard but so necessary! Glad to hear you took care of you this weekend.
Josie 03.13.2018
I’m about a month out from having our first, and I loved reading your comment about realizing your husband can do anything you can do. I can already see how easy it is to think you have to do it all yourself and that I’ll be the only one that knows how. That’s definitely a thought I’ll keep in my mind as we start our parenting journey. Loved reading today’s post!
Martha 03.13.2018
This is a great list. I also recommend hiring someone (or a service) at least occasionally to clean your house. It’s self-care for the whole family.
Jaime Bobadilla 03.13.2018
This was so great and needed! Thank you for sharing this!
Caroline 03.13.2018
I love this post! Such an important message and I’m excited to see more like this on your blog! I have been making similar realizations about how I prioritize my time lately, i.e. mindlessly scrolling through Pinterest or Facebook just makes me feel tired and lazy, and using that time to read a book or snuggle my dogs makes me feel fulfilled and happy! I recently decided to sign up for a crochet class (something I’ve always wanted to learn) and it has been so much fun!
Christina 03.13.2018
I love this post and think the message you are trying to send is spot on. For me, taking time to myself is reading each day, which is something I’ve always loved to do, even if it’s only for 10 minutes. Admittedly my kids are a little older (11 and 8) so it’s easier to accomplish these days.
Donna 03.13.2018
Although there is a huge age difference (I’m seventy), most of these tips can apply to any of us. Too bad there weren’t bloggers back in the day when my girls were young. I’m sure you are a blessing to all who read your posts.
Kelli at Hungry Hobby 03.13.2018
This is great! Having a calendar is so important! Makes you prioritize and actually be productive. Reading also! There are so many books out there, especially ones that help you become a better version of yourself.
Anita 03.13.2018
Good sdvice? We all need to slow down and live in the moment. Take care of our health and well being ? Put our cell phones DOWN ??
KimW 03.13.2018
YESSSSSS!! Love love this post!! Thanks for the important reminder that we need to take time for ourselves! I am a better mom, better wife, and just all around nicer person to be around when I take time for myself. For me, this means taking time to work out, taking time to READ (one of my favorite things to do!), and making time to do my nails. I am saving this as a good reminder to refer to often!
Sarah 03.13.2018
I returned back to work in January after having our second. It didn’t take but 2 months to realize something had to change. I took a huge leap and asked my employer if I could cut back my hours from 40 to 32 per week. They said YES! One week in to my new schedule and it was absolutely the right decision. I suddenly had so much more patience just from gaining 2 hours during the day to exercise and take care of things at home.