5 Essentials for Self Care

Do you find you forget to take care of yourself?

Long ago, I found a list for how to do “self-care” for mothers in a book. I often need to assess if I am keeping my own “joy cup” full. Whenever I feel depressed or glum, I look over this list to figure out where the leak is in my “joy hose”. I wish I could remember where I got the outline for this idea, but sadly the book I was reading when I was inspired, has long since passed from memory. The notes I recorded in my Hope Cards Journal though I have stayed with me for several years now, and I turn back to them whenever life seems more than I can handle.

(Here are four verses I have written on my Hope Cards).

Here are my personal notes on how to do self-care:

Am I going to bed early enough?

As I mother, I know better than to hope that I will be able to sleep in, but life does look better when I’ve had enough sleep. Though I hate to go to bed, just as the house becomes quite and I get “me time” sometimes the best thing I can do for myself is to hit the sheets early. After Cedric was born I was going to bed at 7:30 it sure did make that postpartum time easier.
Am I in God’s Word?

When I get busy, sadly, this is usually the first thing to go. There are many times I legitimately don’t have time to study though. When I don’t have time, I’ve created a “Morning Worship Playlist” on Spotify. It feeds my heart in a pinch. I also have been known to listen to audio recordings of the Bible too.
(Here are 7 encouraging books that may also bless you!)
Have I been alone too long?

My mama always used to say, “To have a friend you must be a friend. Never wait for someone else to initiate a friendship.” This has worked beautifully for me. It’s amazing how many other people are just waiting for someone else to ask them on a playdate.
Here’s a post about prioritizing friendships – they are so important!
Am I exercising and getting sunshine?

I didn’t give this one enough credit until the last couple of months. I was so low energy after Cedric’s birth. Finally, I started working out this last March and I have so much more energy. It seems backward, but somehow it works.
Have I invested in my own joy?

The things that bring me joy are things like lighting my favorite candle, having a cup of Creme Brulee tea, listening to a playlist, putting on perfume, getting dressed in real clothes (goodbye yoga pants), or picking up my camera and seeking something beautiful.