A few weeks ago, as the weather shifted from the last breaths of beautiful fall to the impending chill of winter, my family decided it was the perfect weekend for our final outdoor projects before the snowflakes dance their way into our lives. Little did I know, my body would become a casualty of the chaos. Organizing the garage involved a weightlifting session with heavy, awkward boxes, loading and unloading firewood left me bruised and scratched, and I even managed to squeeze in a two-mile jog while my girls whizzed around the neighborhood on their motorized vehicles. By the end of it all, my body was crying out for some TLC.
Normally, my bustling self would have just soldiered on, taking a speedy shower and leaping into the next task. But a tiny voice in the back of my mind whispered a crucial reminder – if I neglected myself, the week ahead would be a misery, and I wouldn't have the mojo to mom, work, or adult the way I truly wanted.
So, instead of rushing through my nightly rituals, I decided to grant myself a moment of reprieve. I ran a warm bath with Epsom salts and bubbles, slapped on a face mask, treated my feet to a moisturizing soak, and handed over the kid-listening duties to my husband so I could bask in peace for a few quiet minutes.
It might not have been a grand affair, and it likely didn't register on the family radar, but those intentional 30 minutes were a game-changer. I emerged feeling relaxed and calm, and the next day, my once-sore muscles were mere background noise. I enjoyed a restful night's sleep and woke up ready to tackle the week's responsibilities with patience and calm.
In the pre-kids, pre-family, pre-business era of my life, self-care meant spa days, shopping sprees, and indulgent meals – all requiring time and money, both of which became increasingly elusive as life piled on. Now, deep into the realms of motherhood, I've deciphered that self-care isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. It's about doing what you need to treat your body, mind, and soul with utmost care and respect. Sometimes it involves time and money, often it's as simple as a bubble bath or a moment of solitude, but always it demands self-awareness and the mental space to articulate what you need at any given moment. Self-care is the collection of actions that nurture your mental and physical well-being, paving the way for you to be present, peaceful, and happy.
So, here are 10 practical ways to practice self-care in this chaotic holiday season, because sometimes the smallest acts of kindness to yourself yield the biggest rewards:
Drinking one cup of hot coffee/tea outside on your porch
I’m not a coffee drinker, but I do love this high-caff tea to start my day!
Participating in a hobby or activity just for fun
Remember, amidst the holiday chaos, your well-being deserves a spot on the priority list. Here's to a season filled with self-care, joy, and a touch of serenity! 🌟🌲