You give, give, give, and you love, love, love, but at the same time, you are EXHAUSTED, and enough is enough already.
This Mother’s day I’d like us to channel our inner Jonathan and put #selfcare right at the top of our priority list, plaster it on your dream board, scribble it in your intention journal, tattoo it across your forehead, “I matter, and I need to take care of me!” Take the time to care for yourself, so you can be the best you when you are getting ‘MOM’d seven thousand times a day. It always sounds like a simple concept but it can be harder to execute than we expect. Having even 15 minutes to yourself may be a blessing depending on your household and work-life balance (another “unicorn” for many of us).
Yasssss Queen!
When you spend most of your time looking like this (below, left) and being attacked with love (right) you need to put serious effort into a self care routine. So, I took some time while my son was passed out on my chest to write this post and do a little Etsy shopping for inspiration. I would describe myself as super “low-maintenance”, and while I see this as a benefit in my time saving schedule of daily activity, it also means I often look like I don’t care for myself. Which sometimes leads to feeling like I don’t care about myself, and feeling like NOT myself. Which let’s be honest, since putting on the ‘mom jeans’, I haven’t been in about 2+ years. But, taking on Mom identity loss is a whole other bag of wax, that I won’t have time to get into today. Let’s stay on the lighter more uplifting concept of, shout it with me, SELF CARE, Yasssss Queen!
The Plan
Now, planning to put myself first for the next hour or so while hubby takes the little guy to the mall, I dig in to the delicious and eye tantalizing goodies that are listed in my Etsy “self care” line-up. I need to focus on ME from head to toe, and here is my plan.
I start off easy and light with a well earned hot shower, and make use of a delightful shower bomb from EmElleEmSoaps, the essential oils and aromatherapy work quickly to take transport my mind and body to another place. Scrubbing the day away with an exfoliating wash I reset the clock on my ‘mental breakdown’ ticking time bomb, and tell myself I am ready for the next round of non-stop mom fun. If you are like me and don’t take the best care of your hair, because who has time for anything more than a towel dry and a pony tail, then try this Organic Cotton T-shirt Hair Towel, it’s gentler on your locks than your typical terry cloth. And just like that you’re already taking better care of you! Woo!
Once my wet hair is out of my face, and fingers crossed the kids are still occupied or better yet not home, it is time to move onto our gorgeous face, and give it a full cleanse, tone and moisture routine. Typically I am splashing some water on my face or maybe using a baby wipe to clean off the days grime, so on my journey through self care, I invest in reusable facial rounds. The organic bamboo rounds are soothing for the skin, and so much better for the environment, meaning I can feel double good about using them.
Now I am clean, scrubbed and feeling somewhat relaxed, but my ‘me’ time is running out. To give myself an instant sense of youthful exuberance, and a bit of sexy, I blow dry my hair, and yes, put it up in a classic velour scrunchie. A good scrunchie takes me back to simpler times, and I think my grown up pony likes it too. On days that are not velour appropriate I toss on a colourful patterned piece by LauraLambCreations, and they put an instant smile on my face.
As my time is nearly done, I put on a piece of clothing that I know I rock, I feel confident in and will provide me a gentle reminder throughout the rest of the day, to keep taking care of me. I absolutely love the never fail look of a styled white T, and my go-to for this dose of self love is from Etsy’s TheTroublemakr, the shirt says it all “more self love“.
Finally, it is time to throw yourself into bed and hope for a few consecutive hours of uninterrupted sleep. And you may be asking, how can I ‘self care’ when I am unconscious? Where there is a will there is a way! Somewhere I heard that Oprah swore by sleeping on a silk pillow case to keep the wrinkles away, something about the fabric not creasing and leaving you silky smooth. Even if it is remotely possible that this is true, I think it is worth a shot. I came across a naturally dyed and Canadian made silk pillow case on Etsy that I fell in love with from MatangiMaa. I imagine sleeping on silk to be one of the most luxurious things you can do for yourself with very minimal effort, so ‘naturally’ I highly recommend this self care must have.
Now this is not a self care tip, but I do think sometimes you have to indulge in a little sweetness. So if you can’t sleep or happen to be extra lucky and have time for a late night snack, why not try Almond Toffee Chocolate, insert drool emoji here. You can try to eat just one piece at a time so it will last longer. Also, it’s handmade by a local artisan so you can feel good about supporting the maker while you satisfy your craving for something sweet and salty.
Next Steps
Okay so you’ve decided to put yourself first for a bit, and you’ve ordered some amazing handmade products to help you do it. But where do you find the time to actually make use of these goodies? Here is the tricky part, you may have to ask for help. If you’re a single Momma, ask a friend to trade some kid watching time with you, maybe book a baby sitter for 2 hours once a week, and just hide in your tub reading a book and drinking your favourite bevy. Talk to your hubby and family, let them know that you could use a little extra support, in the form of some time to take care of You!
After taking a bit of time to yourself, you might be freaking out “Oh No, I forgot to get gifts for my Mom”, well never fear, there is even more inspiration from the professional’s guide to Mother’s Day shopping in the Etsy Editor’s picks Mother’s Day Gift Guide.
If you are worried that the rest of your family may have forgotten you this Mother’s Day, or you have other amazing ladies in your life who could also use an infusion of the “self care” movement in their lives, why not send them ‘The Mother of all Gift Boxes’. I am a big fan of the Goddess of Self Love box, because it gives you a little bit of everything, covering Momma from head to toes, and it doesn’t cost you the arm and leg you just so carefully exfoliated in the shower.
When all else fails, Netflix!
If none of that will work, flip on the Netflix pop some popcorn, put the kids on the couch then Do You Momma! Download a yummy audio book, tie your hair up with that new scrunchie, munch on a sweet treat while the kids watch whatever keeps them glued for half hour at the least. Then at night, when in theory you have some quiet, massage your face with a rejuvenating rose quartz roller, close your eyes, and rest on a sweet silk pillow that takes you to dream land. Remember, you deserve it, and likely so much more! Happy Mother’s Day!
This delightful tongue and cheek post includes affiliate links to products listed on Etsy, if you click on them it will open in a new window for you to learn more, if you make a purchase I may earn a dollar or two, which would be appreciated but in no way influences my opinions here.
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