The Power of Pausing:
Embracing Self-Care in Motherhood
Motherhood is a journey filled with profound love, joy, and fulfillment,
but it can also be incredibly demanding and exhausting.
As mothers, we often find ourselves prioritizing everyone else's needs above our own, falling into the trap of putting ourselves last on our to-do list. This mindset can lead to burnout, affecting not only our well-being but also our experience of motherhood.
I know this firsthand
because I’ve been there.
Taking time for myself completely vanished from my life when I became a mother. When I look back now, it seems like I forgot that I existed and only lived for my little one. Has it happened to you as well?
I would love to hear about your experience!
When my little one would fall asleep, instead of allowing myself to rest as well, I would rush to clean the kitchen, put on the laundry, organize or clean up the house. I vividly remember thinking,
“ I'll just clean up the dishes and then rest. “
But then I'd see another minor task that needed to be done and would think,
“I'll just do this and then sit down.”
But guess what!?
The small tasks’ list
is a never-ending to-do list
and I found myself working through nap times and ending up feeling exhausted by the time my little one woke up energized and ready to conquer the world. And guess what I never had at that time? Energy or mood to be playful, to enjoy the time with her, or to be patient.
It takes a lot of effort and willpower to be conscious about this and start prioritizing yourself. Even nowadays, sometimes I catch myself trying to push through exhaustion and using the free time for all the household chores instead of my own well-being.
The Importance of Self-Care
Burnout isn’t just a buzzword;
it’s a real, tangible condition that can affect every aspect of your life. For me, burnout resulted in constant anxiety and the inability to enjoy being a mother, despite it being my deepest desire for years. Every day felt like a struggle, and I was extremely short on patience, feeling cheated out of the true joys of motherhood.
When I consciously started paying attention to my well-being and let go of the need for perfection, everything changed. I began to find small moments of joy within our busy and stressful days. These moments started to multiply as my health and well-being improved.
How to Start Prioritizing Yourself
So, how do we, as mothers, begin to prioritize ourselves without feeling guilty? Here are a few steps that worked for me:
Start Small: Begin with just a few minutes a day. Whether it’s a quick meditation, a short walk, or even just sitting quietly with a cup of tea, make sure to carve out a little time for yourself.
Be Conscious: Pay attention to your needs and how you’re feeling. If you’re exhausted, allow yourself to rest. The dishes can wait.
Let Go of Perfection: Your house doesn’t need to be spotless for you to be a good mother. Focus on what truly matters and let go of the rest.
Create a Routine: Try to build a small self-care routine into your day. It could be a morning stretch, a mid-day break, or an evening relaxation ritual.
Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to ask for support from your partner, family, or friends. Sometimes just having a little extra help can make a big difference.
Finding Joy in Small Moments
Remember, a rested and cared-for mother is an empowered mother.
“By taking care of ourselves, we can better take care of our children. Little by little, as your health and well-being improve, you’ll start to find more moments of joy within your busy days. ”
These moments will multiply, transforming your motherhood journey into one filled with more love, laughter, and fulfillment.
Even now, I sometimes catch myself trying to push through exhaustion. It’s a continuous journey, but one that is so worth it. You can do it, Mama. Start small. Be conscious. And be unapologetically loving to yourself.
Share Your Story
I’d love to hear your experiences with finding time for yourself amidst the chaos of motherhood. Have you faced similar challenges?
How do you carve out moments for your well-being? Let’s support each other on this journey.You deserve to feel good, to find joy, and to be the best version of yourself. Take those moments for you, Mama. You deserve it.
Remember,
self-care isn’t selfish,
it’s essential.
You are important, and your well-being matters. Together, let’s reclaim our time and embrace the magic of motherhood with open hearts and rested minds. 💖
With much love and support,
