Layering in Self Care
As a new mother, I’ve learned how important it is to take care of ourselves. As they say, “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. While I know how hard it is to find those moments, I’m finding ways to fit (or layer) them in. It’s a lot of levelling-up regular moments to make them feel a little more special or fulfilling. That’s why I like to think of it as layering in self-care. I’m always asking myself, is there a way I can also take care of myself in this moment? A lot of times the answer is no but I’ve surprised myself how often I’ve been able to add it in. One thing is for sure, I’m never going to get the same amount of time I had before having kids and so I want to make sure I’m being intentional with the time I do have. And I know this time is going to get shorter and shorter once I go back to work and if we add another kiddo to the mix. We can do anything but not everything, as the saying goes. There are so many things I want to do but I know I can’t do them all. So I’m adding one thing in at a time, seeing how it feels, adjusting as needed and then adding another layer in once I’m ready.
Here are some of the ways I’m layering in self-care:
Putting on a podcast while doing chores during nap time or while walking our dog Penny. I go for either something inspirational/educational or gossipy/escapist.
Adding a shower steamer to my daily shower. Makes it feel like a mini spa moment.
Buying myself flowers on grocery runs with Emma
Treating myself to a latte or pastry on stroller walks
Using robe or sock curls at night (who has time for doing hair these days?)
Asking my mum or mother-in-law to watch Emma while I go to an exercise class
Skipping tv and reading in bed before lights out
Doing a 20 minute MWH workout while Emma naps
Stretching on a mat while Emma practices rolling and sitting
Blogging during naps. Writing is a way for me to process and organize my thoughts
None of this is ground-breaking but these (little) moments add up and make a huge difference. Now that Emma is sleeping longer stretches at night I might even start to wake up an hour before she does (she’s still my alarm clock) so I can fill my cup first thing before I launch into mom mode. I read recently that our mornings are the only time of the day we have complete control over. After that, we are reacting to everything going on around us. This might be the convincing I need to become a morning person.
