Hey there, superhero moms, step-moms, and caregivers! Life's a wild ride, but being able to let go of the guilt and prioritize your well-being can make everything just a little smoother. Let's dive into how boundaries can support you and your family.
Your Needs Matter
You're the heartbeat of your crew. There's a good chance the household kind of revolves around you. Taking time for yourself isn't selfish; it's like recharging your batteries. Whether it's a morning jog or a quiet cup of tea, those moments give you a little more fuel to keep going.
It can be easy when you are focused on everyone else's needs to manage your time and energy accordingly and forget about yourself. Sometimes, focusing on your needs might require more intention and attention. Look at your week, think about what you need to feel good, and make sure you are scheduling those things in or thinking about when in a daily schedule you can insert those recharging activities or moments.
Your well-being matters and will have a ripple effect on the whole household. Part of caring for others is caring for yourself.
Mom Time vs. Me Time
Your 'me time'? It's like a pit stop in a race—it fuels you to keep going with those endless mom tasks!
Switching off the 'mom switch' is like hitting pause in a movie. You take care of your needs, replenish, and come back ready for the next scene.
Carving out time for yourself isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity. Sometimes that means taking some minutes of your childcare hours to just lay down and rest instead of tackling a to-do list. Sometimes it means a planned weekend away with girlfriends (highly recommend!). At other times it can also mean sneaking some time to yourself while the kids are on their screens. Taking those moments or weekends can reset your nervous system and mentality so that you're more ready to show up as the mom you want to be, your teaching your kids that you are a person with feelings that matter, AND most importantly you're showing yourself that your relationship with yourself matters.
Embrace the Power of 'No'
Saying 'no' when it comes to requests outside your home life can help you keep your schedule clutter-free. Saying 'yes' too often to things that you don't want to do, or are not priorities will leave you feeling drained, resentful and depleted.
Mastering the art of 'no' while it might be uncomfortable at first, the pay back is major. You'll find you have more energy for the things that support you and your family, more space for relaxation and down-time which is so important for mental and physiological health, and WAY less stress and resentment. Doing what ACTUALLY works for you and your family instead of what might help other people be temporarily happy with you is going to have a major impact on you and your families' well-being in the bigger picture.
Each 'no' is a 'yes' to your priorities. Think of it as a little "no" for a big "YES" for you and/or your family.
Rollin' with the Changes
When it comes to boundaries, self-care, and balancing mom life, flexibility is another secret ingredient that will make a huge difference. Regularly checking in with yourself and what you are needing and if you are setting the boundaries you need to be well is super important. Is it work? Yes, it's some work, AND it becomes a habit the more you do it, more and more natural. Build the muscle and you'll have the strength.
Mom life is always evolving. As the kids go through different developmental changes, different life events happen, your body and brain changes, your needs will change as well. Finding ways to make sure you are in touch with yourself can be super helpful - a therapist, friend group, family, or support group can remind you and help keep you accountable to paying attention to what you are feeling and needing.
Moms, step-moms, and caregivers, you're the conductors of this beautiful symphony! By championing your needs, blending mom-time with 'me time,' speaking your truth, owning that 'no,' and dancing with life's changes, you're crafting a masterpiece for you and your amazing crew.