Hey busy mama – it’s time to slow down and look after you.

Yes, I get it, life’s busy. You’re caught up in a whirlwind of seemingly never-ending tasks, and the thought of trying to find time for self-care adds to the overwhelm. So, you continue keeping on – doing your best, on auto-pilot, in survival mode, neglecting you.

I know. I’ve been there. I’ve lived it.

I’ve spent so much of my life on auto-pilot, I was oblivious to it, it was my norm. And becoming a mum sent me so far into survival mode, it derailed me. I was struggling to cope, and it got to the point I knew I needed to make a change. I needed to start looking after me.

To be honest, I’m still learning. I still find it challenging to actually take the time to check in with me, and to prioritise my needs. I’ve started small, and my mantra is often “just for this moment”.

If you struggle to find time for self-care, stop looking! I’m going to share one of my big learnings with you: it’s not about time, it’s about priorities. And if you always put you at the bottom of the to-do list (if you even make the list) you’ll never ‘find’ time.

So, start small, keep it simple, and honour you.

Here are a few tips to get to get started:

1. Make yourself a priority

The first step toward self-care is acknowledging that you, and your needs, matter. You need to carve out time for you, every day. Even if it’s just a moment here and there, it’s a start.

2. Start your day with a positive affirmation

Your affirmation could be as simple as “I’m going to have a happy day.” The idea is to start your day with something positive, to lift you and help you look forward to the day ahead.

3. Reset, restart, and refocus as many times as you need to

You started your day with a positive affirmation and leapt out of bed with a great mindset. Then you rolled into the morning routine with the kids and it all unravelled a little. (I hear you!) Give yourself permission to reset, restart, and refocus. Pause for moment, breathe, count to ten – whatever works for you.

4. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is simply being fully present in the moment – giving your full attention to what you’re doing, your thoughts, your feelings. Here’s something you can do right now, mindful breathing: focus on your breath; breathe in, breathe out; notice the sensation of breathing – how your chest and abdomen move, the movement of air into and out of your lungs. You’ve got it!

5. Meditate

If you have a little more time, you might like to try meditating. It’s important to know that there is no right or wrong way of meditating. It can be done sitting down, it can be done walking. There is no need to ‘empty’ your mind. In fact, it’s about quite the opposite. It’s about increasing your awareness, and learning to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgement.

6. Stop scrolling

Yep – this one’s about social media! And while it sounds simple, I know what it’s like to have a ‘quick’ look at Facebook or Instagram and find a ridiculous amount of time’s passed. So, stop scrolling. Put your phone down for ten minutes and do something for you (that’s going to help you feel better).

7. Reflect on 3 good things about the day

You’ve made it to the end of another day – yay! In all seriousness, even at the end of the craziest, messiest, most tiring day, you can look back and find something good about it. Maybe it was a cuddle from one of your kids, a message from a friend, a task you finished, a yummy meal, a great coffee (or glass of wine). Take a moment to reflect and be thankful.

The most important thing is to find what works for you. Start by incorporating a few small self-care activities into your day and work with what feels right.

Now, I’ve taken up enough of your time – go do some self-care. 😊