Joyful Oiling Mama

I know self care is a major buzz word these days. Maybe you picture self care as bubble baths + wine, or things that you don’t really enjoy. Maybe you picture it as shopping sprees + extravagant weekends away, that you can’t afford. Or maybe you view it as selfish, or just another thing on your todo list to stress about…if you’re feeling any of those things, you’re in the right place, I hope this post encourages you + gives you a new outlook on how to be intentional in your self care.

Self care isn’t about shirking your responsibilities + only looking out for yourself. It’s about taking care of yourself well, so you can show up for your family, your ministry, your job as the best version of you. You are able to care for others better when you find time to intentionally invest in the things that make you feel refreshed, peaceful, joyful + healthy.

Now let’s talk about shame for a moment. I know a lot of times, as moms, we feel bad about taking time for ourselves. I think we need a mindset shift; if we will show up better for our children by taking a few minutes for ourselves instead of being stressed out, short tempered + frazzled, doesn’t that benefit them? I think even bigger picture we need to remember that they are watching what we do. If we are running ourselves ragged doing everything for everyone else what message are we sending them? We are teaching them that we are at the mercy of others, that we have no boundaries + that our own mental, physical + spiritual health is not a priority. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to teach my kids that. I want them to be people who fiercely love + protect others, but also have healthy boundaries + understand their limitations. I want them to pursue their passions + appreciate small everyday blessings. If those are the things we want for our kids, why don’t lead by example + we strive for them ourselves?

I also understand that sometimes we don’t have the support, time or means to splurge + self care can be just one more thing on the todo list. I encourage you to reevaluate your definition of self care; don’t just write it off because you can’t do the big extravagant things….just find simple consistent ways to invest in you.

My definition of self care is this: doing little things through out the day or bigger things as our schedule allows, to check in with ourselves + invest in our physical, mental + spiritual health. I also think of self care as things that are going to set myself up well to have a good day, so I include routines + prep that make my load lighter…because when my load is lighter I’m less stressed + can show up well!

Here’s some ideas for you:

• Read your bible
• Journal when you have big emotions to process
• Listen to a podcast while you’re cleaning
• Go for a walk
• Do stretches
• Read a book
• Set up routines so you don’t feel like you’re always behind on the day to day stuff
• Text a friend
• Rest when the kids rest
• Have a playdate….the kids are occupied + you get to talk to another adult
• Stay connected with friends
• Plan a walk n talk with a friend
• Do a babysitting swap with a friend so you both get some down time
• Un-busy your schedule
• Say no when you need to
• Take your vitamins
• Find a mentor
• Meal plan
• Join a bible study (I love CBS, they have groups all over the world + programs for kids while mom does her class)
• Diffuse some oils that motivate you or uplift your spirits
• Put on make up + get dressed (you’ll feel so much more prepared for the day + whatever it brings)
• Listen to an audiobook while the kids play
• Go to counseling
• Take a social media break
• Set up some boundaries for your phone
• Take a bath (love these bath bombs)
• Do something artsy (whatever you’re into, paint, draw, collages, crochet, knit, sew, write, digital designs)
• Make the appointments you’ve been putting off (your hair, counseling, the Dr. etc)
• Practice breathing excersises
• Support your hormones
• Declutter the counters
• Use the One Minute Pause prayer/meditation app
• Join a local moms group
• Build up your tribe…a lot of us don’t have family nearby to help, so finding ways to create your tribe is so important…community vital.

What are some of your go to self care activities or some new ones you’re going to try? Let us know in the comments!