First off, as a mom, you know that true downtime is sacred and few and far between. However, when I do find that quiet time amongst the day to day chaos there are a few things I fit in. One of my favorites? Reading.
Ever since I can remember I have loved to read. When I was a little girl, my mom would tell me to do in and clean my room. I’d always start with my bookshelf. It would start with me organizing the things on the top, picking up anything that had fallen off, putting back books that had found their way to other areas of my room. However eventually I’d find one I missed. One I hadn’t read or hadn’t read in a while. I’d open it up, amongst my still messy room and start reading. I’d get completely lost in the book. Sometimes my legs, folded under me, would fall asleep and I wouldn’t even notice. Eventually, my mom would sense the quietness. Like most parents, this would spark worry. Worry that I was doing something I shouldn’t be. Too much quiet in a house with kids is rarely a good sign, right? She’d find me reading, in the middle of my still messy room. Sometimes I’d even be asleep. Almost every night before bed I would read. Sometimes I’d use a book light. Most of the time however, I would strain my eyes until I could no longer see the words on the page.
This continued for a long time. Once I graduated college I did a lot less reading. It felt like I didn’t have the time. However, I picked it back up once amazon prime came into my life. I’d use all my points on my amazon card for books. Books about running (another love of mine), books with insane plot twists, and page turning thrillers. I wanted all of it. I’ve always loved a good story. Especially a personal one.
It’s still true today. Eventually I found myself really yearning for the little things in life that had brought me so much joy in the past. Running, reading, hiking, being outside, working out. I made a list of these things and started very intentionally incorporating them into my routine. My every day.
The books I started reading became more about self-development and self-improvement. As I became a mom, and I had someone to worry about other than myself because they depended on me for everything, it became so important to me to set boundaries for her, for myself so that I could show up for her, and for my family. As I took time for myself, I became a version of myself that I actually enjoyed. One that was strong enough to be the mother my daughter needed.
Reading a book may not be your thing. However, I encourage you to find that thing. YOUR thing, and to do more of it. If you’re a mom, and you love to read like I do, you can get my mama mindset reading guide here.
Ever since I can remember I have loved to read. When I was a little girl, my mom would tell me to do in and clean my room. I’d always start with my bookshelf. It would start with me organizing the things on the top, picking up anything that had fallen off, putting back books that had found their way to other areas of my room. However eventually I’d find one I missed. One I hadn’t read or hadn’t read in a while. I’d open it up, amongst my still messy room and start reading. I’d get completely lost in the book. Sometimes my legs, folded under me, would fall asleep and I wouldn’t even notice. Eventually, my mom would sense the quietness. Like most parents, this would spark worry. Worry that I was doing something I shouldn’t be. Too much quiet in a house with kids is rarely a good sign, right? She’d find me reading, in the middle of my still messy room. Sometimes I’d even be asleep. Almost every night before bed I would read. Sometimes I’d use a book light. Most of the time however, I would strain my eyes until I could no longer see the words on the page.
This continued for a long time. Once I graduated college I did a lot less reading. It felt like I didn’t have the time. However, I picked it back up once amazon prime came into my life. I’d use all my points on my amazon card for books. Books about running (another love of mine), books with insane plot twists, and page turning thrillers. I wanted all of it. I’ve always loved a good story. Especially a personal one.
It’s still true today. Eventually I found myself really yearning for the little things in life that had brought me so much joy in the past. Running, reading, hiking, being outside, working out. I made a list of these things and started very intentionally incorporating them into my routine. My every day.
The books I started reading became more about self-development and self-improvement. As I became a mom, and I had someone to worry about other than myself because they depended on me for everything, it became so important to me to set boundaries for her, for myself so that I could show up for her, and for my family. As I took time for myself, I became a version of myself that I actually enjoyed. One that was strong enough to be the mother my daughter needed.
Reading a book may not be your thing. However, I encourage you to find that thing. YOUR thing, and to do more of it. If you’re a mom, and you love to read like I do, you can get my mama mindset reading guide here.
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It seems, over the last few years that the phrase “live your best life” has become somewhat of a trend, for “do whatever you want if it makes you happy”. While this isn’t a bad sentiment, we all know we sometimes have to do things we don’t particularly enjoy. However, if you really step back and think about what you would feel like and what your world would look like if you were truly “living your best life”, I’m sure it wouldn’t include raking up credit card debt, gaining access weight, or binge watching Netflix (we’ve had enough of that in 2020, don’t you think?). The trick is, creating a world where you already FEEL the way you would “living your best life”. Want less stress? Want more time with those you love? Follow these six tips to get you started.
1. Wake up at a reasonable hour. Now, I’m not saying your can’t have the occasional sleep in. I’m not saying you need to wake up at 4am to live your best life. I’m saying by getting up and going at a reasonable time, you can accomplish those things on your to do list so much more easily because you simply have more of what everyone craves- time. Long night up with a little one? Try to be consistent with your sleep. Sleep in a bit so you can get whatever your average is. Ask for help if needed
2. Do something for you. Seriously. Do it. I had been chronically not good at this over the years, I was constantly doing for everyone else, except myself. Whether it's reading, getting outside, writing, alone time, meditation, going for a run or a walk, do it for nobody but you. Fill your cup, so that you can then pour into those that need you. When we don't do something for just ourselves we end up stressed out, feel underappreciated, and then become miserable and snap at those we love the most. If you love reading, you can grab my free mama mindset reading guide here.
3. Move your body. Whether it’s chasing the kids, going for a walk, a yoga class, running, it matters very little on HOW you move your body. Just do it. Moving my body instantly lifts my mood and makes me a better human being (your partner and kids will thank you for it).
4. Slow down. Seriously. Does everything on your “to do” list HAVE to get dome today? Guilt is based on an unmet expectation we have set for ourselves. We tend to try to cram too much into our days and that leads to overwhelm and feelings of failure when, our expectations were unreasonable to begin with.
5. Plan. The age old line “if you fail to plan then you plan to fail”. When you have a plan, it breaks down your goals, your day, into smaller bite sized chunks. When we break things down in this way, it seriously helps us avoid feelings of overwhelm by giving us a sense of accomplishment along the way.
6. Celebrate. Celebrate everything. Even in a small way. Kept the tiny humans alive? Good for you! Got the kids to bed on time? Good for you! Seriously, if we track all the things we DID accomplish, it is much easier to not get down about the things we didn’t.
1. Wake up at a reasonable hour. Now, I’m not saying your can’t have the occasional sleep in. I’m not saying you need to wake up at 4am to live your best life. I’m saying by getting up and going at a reasonable time, you can accomplish those things on your to do list so much more easily because you simply have more of what everyone craves- time. Long night up with a little one? Try to be consistent with your sleep. Sleep in a bit so you can get whatever your average is. Ask for help if needed
2. Do something for you. Seriously. Do it. I had been chronically not good at this over the years, I was constantly doing for everyone else, except myself. Whether it's reading, getting outside, writing, alone time, meditation, going for a run or a walk, do it for nobody but you. Fill your cup, so that you can then pour into those that need you. When we don't do something for just ourselves we end up stressed out, feel underappreciated, and then become miserable and snap at those we love the most. If you love reading, you can grab my free mama mindset reading guide here.
3. Move your body. Whether it’s chasing the kids, going for a walk, a yoga class, running, it matters very little on HOW you move your body. Just do it. Moving my body instantly lifts my mood and makes me a better human being (your partner and kids will thank you for it).
4. Slow down. Seriously. Does everything on your “to do” list HAVE to get dome today? Guilt is based on an unmet expectation we have set for ourselves. We tend to try to cram too much into our days and that leads to overwhelm and feelings of failure when, our expectations were unreasonable to begin with.
5. Plan. The age old line “if you fail to plan then you plan to fail”. When you have a plan, it breaks down your goals, your day, into smaller bite sized chunks. When we break things down in this way, it seriously helps us avoid feelings of overwhelm by giving us a sense of accomplishment along the way.
6. Celebrate. Celebrate everything. Even in a small way. Kept the tiny humans alive? Good for you! Got the kids to bed on time? Good for you! Seriously, if we track all the things we DID accomplish, it is much easier to not get down about the things we didn’t.
Once you start truly taking yourself seriously, and realize that the only way you can take care of your family is by taking care of you, your can't unsee it. Life improves. Mood improves. Stress decreases. That perpetual "mom guilt" and overwhelm lessen, and you're able to be fully present for those that need you the most.
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