self-care: it's time

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Eve!
 
 
 It was recently brought to my attention by a friend that I’d lost my glow and carefree attitude. While trying to process her assessment, I had to dial it back a bit and consider if what she said had some sort of truth or relevancy. In doing so, I realized that she wasn’t lying or hating. She was correct. If you're like me, self-care is something that I often forget to do. Like most mothers, I tend to neglect my own needs and wants while placing my child’s well-being at the forefront. I’d become so engulfed in being a mother that I forgot that I matter too. 
 
The words neglect and self-care grabbed ahold of my heart like a vice grip. Isn’t it funny how we think we have everything under control and God sends someone to remind us that we have nothing under control? In this instance, God used my long-time friend to remind me that I should care for myself more than I realized. So, in the spirit of reflection and change, I prayed for guidance and decided to start doing more for myself. Once I came to that conclusion, I began to think about my budget and how to navigate this newfound self-care without breaking the bank. As a single mother, budgeting is not only important but sometimes impossible. So, I decided to start my new self-care routine using things that I already had at home and wouldn’t need to purchase. Since starting to take better care of myself, I’ve begun to regain that glow I once had and I’m loving it. I encourage every mom, single or not, to take a little time for themselves and find that glow. If you need a little help with ideas, here are a few that I think you may enjoy. Let’s glow up, moms!
 

1. Hot Tea- Try drinking a cup of hot tea each night before bed. It’s relaxing and relatively cheap. A box of lavender tea usually costs about $5 or less. Treat yourself!
2. Invest in a Nice Robe- Listen, you’ve not even scratched the surface of comfortability until you’ve invested in a plush robe. After a long day at work and dealing with the kids, nothing says take a deep breath and chill like a comfy robe. While they can get very pricey, no need to break the bank for this. Kohls, Walmart, and JCPenney almost always have a sale on their robes. Thank me later!
3. Books/Audiobooks- There is nothing better than a mental escape. For me, reading is an adventure that allows me to leave my stress behind and become absorbed into an alternate world. When having that cup of hot tea, try reading as well. For you moms that hate reading, try an audiobook (the book reads itself to you). There’s usually a promotion for those so you don’t have to spend much. That’s a plus!
4. Turn off your phone- Once the kids are off to sleep, turn your phone off and take time to reflect on your day. Write down a few aspirations or prayers. Meditate and pray. Whatever you do, turn the phone off and just be present in the moment. That’s it! Be present in the moment.

​- Written by Ashley Williams