Self Care: Slow down and make time for yourself

You’re busy. There is a lot for you to do. There’s too much for you to do. You constantly feel as though if you stop you’re never going to get anything finished, and if you don’t stop you’re going to fall asleep where you stand. It’s not fun to maintain self care and try and juggle all of this, but you’re still doing it, and that makes you amazing. However, you don’t have to do this alone and you don’t have to struggle all the time. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you should be doing when you are fighting your way through life, juggling so much. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

Try To Set Some Kind Of Schedule

The first thing that we are going to suggest is that you try to set some kind of schedule. Of course, when you have children your schedule is set to change at a moment’s notice. However, if you set a schedule and try to stick to it as much as you can, you might find your entire life far easier to manage. You can make adjustments where they are needed, and you can cancel things if something comes up with your child that you need to attend to. 

However, the structure of a schedule will bring much needed peace into your life, if only temporarily. You will know what you are doing, when you are doing it, and what needs to be done in order to sort get this all ready. The thing that you need to remember is that even though you can move things around with the schedule, doesn’t mean that you should unless you have to. If you can get yourself and your family into a routine that works for everyone, this is going to benefit you all massively.

Make Time For What Is Important

Another thing that you should be doing is making time for what’s important. We entirely understand that you are busy, trust us we know. It might feel as though there is not enough of you to go around so that everyone can have a piece, but you need to stop spreading yourself so thin. Make some time for the things that are important in your life, or you are going to regret this down the line. An example would be spending time with your kids after work. You have to cook, clean, bath and everything in between, but when do you get time to just sit down and play with them? We know that you are exhausted, but these precious moments playing with your kids can change your day dramatically. Just five or ten minutes before dinner, and we guarantee you are going to feel so much better.

You Are Allowed A Break

We want you to understand something important, but it’s something that a lot of mum’s have a hard time understanding. You are allowed a break. You deserve a break. You need a break. We need to break this narrative that as a mum, you are no longer allowed a break because you had kids. Of course you are allowed to have one, and anyone who says otherwise either has no idea what it’s like to be a parent, or has more help than you could ever imagine. There’s a reason it takes two people to make a baby, and it’s because it takes that, and more, to raise one. 

When you start to feel overwhelmed and you need a break, call on one of the people that you trust. Ask them if they will look after your child for a little while so that you can go and take a break. Take a bath and do your skincare routine with without someone asking you for something, go out to a shop without having a kid telling you they want everything in sight. Generally just do the things that you like to do but kids make so much more complicated. Then, go back and start again. You are going to feel so much better for it, and the kids are going to have a happy parent which is the most important thing.

Read Self Care, Motivational Books And Websites

There are plenty of books and websites that you can look at that will provide motivation and help to get you through the tough times. It can often feel as though we are trying to do it all on our own and we’re not going to make it, but we promise that you will. For example, if you look at a site like Everyday Power, this has a range of articles that you might just find beneficial, helping you to manage your life. If you look online, you will also find a range of books that will give you advice to keep going when things are looking dark.

You might think that this won’t help you, but you’re never going to know until you try them. There is no harm in reading and seeing if it can help, is there? The worst that can happen is that there is no difference in your life, so it’s worth a try.

Share The Load

If you have people around you who are willing to help you, then share the load. You might feel guilty when your mum comes over and puts a load of washing on for you, don’t. You might feel guilty when your friend washes those dishes that are left in your sink, don’t. You might feel as though you are a failure when someone comes to see you and offers to watch the kids so you can get an hour of sleep or so, don’t. These people here are willing to help share the load with you, and instead of feeling guilty or embarrassed, just say thank you. They are not judging you, they are simply trying to help.

If you have ever heard the expression it takes a village to raise a child, then you will realise that you are not the only one who is struggling with this kind of thing. It’s okay if you can’t do it all on your own, you’re not supposed to.

If You Think It’s Getting Too Much

A piece of advice that we learned a little while ago rang very true to us, and we want to share that with you. If you think that it is getting too much, and the load that you are carrying is too heavy, then set it down for a minute. Sometimes, all you need to do is set it down, and give yourself a minute to breathe. If you were carrying something really heavy, and it was going to crush you, would you put it down to give yourself a break? Of course you would, and this is no different when it comes to emotional and mental heaviness. Just set it down. You can pick it back up again and carry on soon, but the world is not going to end if you set it down for a minute.

Sometimes you are going to feel as though you are hitting a wall. We’ve all been there. Use that wall. Use it as a chance to rest, and then you can work out the way to get past it. You have got this, you just need to give yourself a chance.

Be Patient And Give Yourself Grace

The last thing that we are going to say is that you need to give yourself some grace, mama. You are doing your best. Your kids are fed, they are in clean clothes, they have baths, and toys, and books and things to watch on TV. You are giving them so much and thinking that it is the bare minimum. You are doing everything right. Looking after your kids, making sure that you have enough money to get everyone what they need, all while maintaining your household, going food shopping etc. It’s a lot to do, and you need to give yourself some grace.

Be proud of yourself. Instead of focusing on all the things that you haven’t yet done, instead try focusing on the things that you have. Rather than sitting there telling yourself all you need to get done still, focus on all the things that you have accomplished today. Celebrate how much you have done, rather than just giving yourself more to do when you already know you need to rest.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you should be doing when you are fighting your way through life, trying to juggle so much. It’s not easy to do, we know that, but you’re getting it done every day regardless. You have got this, no matter how much it feels like you don’t. We promise you that you can do it, and when you feel as though you can’t, remember what we have said here today. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that this will help you going forward.