Recently, I’ve tried a lot of new things for myself and really started to prioritize those that just make me feel good.

And guess what… when we feel good, we’re in a good mood… and when we’re in a good mood… guess who doesn’t snap at her kids at any given moment?

This came to my realization when I would have a stressful time with my job. I get really, really upset with myself more than anything…

And then I take it out on my kids.

I began by reading “The Miracle Morning“. It helped me at the time, but in the long run, I realized this wasn’t the best use of my time. It actually made me more exhausted than anything.

I’m not saying this is not something to try out (I highly recommend trying it actually).

What I am saying is that you need to try things out! And it’s okay to stop them if they’re not working out how you expected.

I kept limiting myself because I was afraid to stop once I started. I would shut down an idea because it overwhelmed me. Working out week after week with no end date? Heck no! Trying a better diet to feel better with no end in sight… it puts a brake on things really fast when it is so big that it never ends.

If you want to try something, do just that; try it. For one time. Then one more if you want to. And then again.

What is self-care to you?

Self-care to me is meant to make you feel better physically and mentally.

Self-care makes you feel good about yourself.

Self-care makes you like yourself a little bit more.

And your self-care reflects onto the people around you. Your family. Which is why this is so, so important.

Even though I know there never seems to be time for it.

So this month we’re trying to focus on it a bit. To try out some things that you’ve been wanting to do. Prioritizing time for yourself and seeing how you feel in the end!

And best of all. We’re letting go of the guilt that comes with this. Because I know there will be.

What do you enjoy doing?

Let’s play what if.

What if you had 1 extra hour every day to do something just for you.

What would that be?

Let’s make a list of what self care things you’d like to do

Here are some ideas for inspiration, just from my personal experience recently:

• Exercising. I’ve fallen in love with doing Pilates. I highly recommend Robin of The Balanced Life. She has a great 28 day challenge that’s only 5-10 minutes a day. This is what I started with and got hooked. It then got me excited about my body and fitness again which got me back into running (did you know that about me? I used to be a runner. But haven’t done it in over a decade… and now I’ve done it the last 2 years.)
• Writing. I went to a conference this summer that repeatedly came back to how good writing is for you. I came home and started a journal. Granted this was in the summer and I haven’t kept it up. (Giving myself grace!) I have always struggled with my thoughts, where I stand on popular issues. I’m always back and forth and don’t even know how to voice my opinion in many circumstances. Writing I have hopes will help clear this up for me.
• Meditation. Read The Miracle Morning!
• Painting.
• Reading. Reading for fun, that is!

Find a list of things to do with “Me Time” from my good friend, Jill of Confidence Meets Parenting.

Prioritizing time for you.

As with any goal, making time for it is the key.

And I know time is as rare as diamonds.

But I firmly believe if it’s something you truly want to do, then you will always find the time to do it.

Just in the past two years, I’ve added running back to my self-care routine… and reading! How in the world did I find an extra hour (plus!) to do those?

Turns out those hours are there. I just had to make it a priority to take care of myself. Because I needed it and I feel better for doing these things for me.

This might mean saying no to things you’ve been doing, or to upcoming obligations.

It might just mean a rearrangement of your schedule.

Or it might mean that instead of binge watching Netflix for 3 hours, you only do that for 2 and do something else for you (unless binge watching is your self-care plan).

This could mean that you just put YOU on your to-do list each and every day.

Try it! Pick something on your self-care list that you made and do it!

Let go of the guilt.

You don’t have to do it all.

No one expects you to do it all.

And it’s not good for you to do it all.

So shake off that feeling that you’re not doing enough for your family and breathe.

It’s okay to say no to baking homemade goodies for a bake sale. You can buy some at the bakery instead. Or just not take part.

That’s okay.

Go on. Read this “Should Mama” story from another good friend of mine, Alissa of Bounceback Parenting.

The last line in that story is the best —

“Your kids need YOU.”

So make it your best you by taking care of yourself.