OK, I’ll admit it. It’s important to create a “mindfulness in motherhood” self care routine.
I’m the frazzled mom. I am the oversized sweatshirt with coffee stains on it, hair in a messy bun, phone in one hand, toddler in the other, type of mom.
My routine is no routine, my workout is juggling everything all at once, and anything that’s outside of what I’m supposed to be eating I just chalk up to trying to find balance.
Yes, I know that I have to hit the grocery store, meet a deadline for work, pick up the kids from school, and take care of both the dishes and that looming pile of never-ending laundry, but the single most important thing is knowing that it can wait. Call it procrastination if you want, but unless you are cleaning house in the buff, there’s never going to be an end to the laundry, and unless you only order take out from now on, the dishes will just keep coming.
It’s important to take a little time out for yourself. Even if you have to set a reminder on your phone, somewhere in between dropping off the kids for school and the grocery store, there has to be time for the cup of coffee, a few moments in the garden, an uninterrupted bath, or just a deep breath.
I like to call it “mindfulness in motherhood.”
Taking a cue from a yoga class I eventually dropped out of (hey, I’m human!), I realized how important it is to focus on the moment, the now, your breathing, and yourself. Not only does taking that moment to focus yourself allow you a small recharge, but it puts into perspective the day at hand.
Having those moments, forcing yourself to give a little back to yourself allows you to be a more focused and patient parent, mostly. It’s knowing you have a moment or two during the day, uninterrupted, mostly, wherever you can find it, for a little solace. Maybe the third time the chocolate milk spills won’t seem so frustrating, but understandable, as we are all human.
It may seem simple to create a self care routine to some, but to others it’s an almost impossibly daunting task. For some, it’s second nature, and others, like myself, almost feel guilt or feel like I need permission to take five. I’m here to tell you it’s not so, and how adding a self care routine, rooted in mindfulness can enrich your day, attitude, life, and the others around you as well.
1. Pick a time.
How long is up to you. If it’s only five minutes, devote all five of those minutes to something that makes you happy. If it’s 15 minutes, enrich your day with some self love for all 15. If it’s thirty minutes, well, you get the idea. Just pick a time and stick to it. Carve out a little piece between errands or school pickups to devote to calming your mind, being in the present and recharging. Just knowing you have that time, deserve that time and can look forward to that time will feel like a relief.
2. Pick an activity.
It doesn’t have to be the same every day, but start somewhere. Is yoga your thing, and you want to stretch the stress away, have at it. Maybe you’d rather just sit in your favorite chair with a cup of coffee and a muffin. It’s all self love! Ten minutes on a treadmill, or ten minutes in a bath, it’s up to you, you deserve it. Paint those nails, take that CBD, turn the music loud, and clear your mind the best that you can. Allow yourself take those deep breaths, and remember who you are.
3. Make it happen.
It’s so simple it’s almost hard, but try to enjoy that time where no one is tugging at your dress, or pressuring you about a deadline. It’s definitely a form of yoga, because the more you do it, the more you learn to love yourself, the easier it becomes.
You don’t need an excuse to start being mindful of yourself in motherhood, but, if you did, here it is. There no shame or guilt in taking a few moments for yourself, but there’s no excuse to not give your family the very best, by making sure you take care of yourself as well.
