It seems you can’t look anywhere without being told about self-care right now. For some it’s a trendy thing but for me, as a mum, it is something that is often lacking.

All of a sudden after years of ‘baby comes first’ we are now being pushed to remember something that we have long forgotten. How do you look after yourself when a baby arrives? Take a nap when the baby does, we are told… but then we are full of guilt for sleeping when there’s  SO MUCH TO BE DONE. Having a bath is replaced by washing up, the baby sleeps and you’ll find yourself running around like a headless chicken getting as much crammed into that little amount of nap time.

So in my newborn haze and post PND prognosis I tried to start being a bit savvy with my time. It’s failed on multiple occasions but now I  am starting to realise once you start you learn to fit more in.

I bought a kindle so I can read on the go and it’s light to pack in a change bag. I take 5 minutes everyday to write down my favourite moments and try and be thankful for them, and I even get to shave my legs on a saturday morning!

These are all 5 minute treats that gradually tot up. But the hardest part is to stop making excuses where you are the least important person to look after.

To be able to look after them you NEED to look after you too.

Harsh words but Mama it is TRUE.

Mentally we are programmed to put everyone else’s needs before our own, it takes work and perseverance to ensure our own body and mind is nourished too. It’s not easy to do but here are a few ideas:

Spend 5 minutes longer in the bath next time and don’t look at your phone.
Switch of the TV when the kids have gone to bed and pick up a book.
Book a hair appointment while the baby naps!
Encourage your partner to give you an hour or two to yourself on a saturday morning.
Book a pamper for you at a treatment centre that opens in the evenings!
Don’t feel bad about hiding in the kitchen to grab a hot cuppa and a kit kat.
Find a gym that has a flexible creche.
Find a hobby that takes your mind off being a parent.
Book that girlie date with your mates (we know you’ve been putting that off!)
Find a local personal stylist and treat yourself to a few new clothes.
Totter around in those stillettos you’ve not work for ages.

What do you do that’s just for you?

Thank you so much to Chelle for sharing this post. I am so guilty of putting everyone first and not looking after myself. The words ‘self-care’ are spoken around me so often and if I’m honest I try block them out, purely because I know I should be doing it more. I recently wrote this post and spilled my heart about life being quite tough.

I will certainly be taking on board some of Chelle’s tips.

Ax