Busy Mom? 3 Easy Ways to Practice Self-Care
Being a mother is one of the greatest gifts in life. It is filled with joy and immeasurable love. However, let’s be honest here: it’s also exhausting, overwhelming and sometimes more frustrating and difficult than we imagined it would be. The kids are fighting, dinner needs to be made, the laundry hasn’t been folded in days, the baby needs a diaper change, the bills need to be paid, the dog needs to go out, you have a toddler pulling at your leg, and the list of things to do just keeps on getting bigger. Oh yeah, and then there’s you. Who, you might ask? You, the mom. You, the professional. You the entrepreneur. You, the wife. You, the friend. You. The one who regularly gets left off the to-do list.
Being a good mother requires us to be loving, nurturing, giving, kind and patient. These are traits, that despite the frenzy of daily life, we somehow manage to pull from our depths to offer our children. The question is, can we as moms offer those same traits to ourselves? As a mother and solo-preneur, I’ve learned the importance of self-care. And I also know how difficult it is to make it happen given the reality of life.
Why is it so difficult to make time for ourselves when we somehow manage to make time for everyone and everything else?
Probably because there are only 24 hours in the day and many of life’s other demands tend to scream much louder for your attention. “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.” If we stop and listen, we might notice that there’s another squeaky wheel that’s been begging for our attention: our own.
When we begin to talk about self-care for moms, the issue of guilt often arises. So let’s call it out, like the big elephant in the room: as women, we tend to have an easier time sacrificing ourselves than taking care of ourselves. Most of us would rather drop from exhaustion than face the guilt of caring for our own needs. However, when Mom is depleted, the whole household suffers. And when you take care of yourself, you can better take care of others.
For many women, we hear and understand the importance of self-care. The issue isn’t knowing what we should do; the issue is the logistics of it all. How do you fit self-care into an already overflowing schedule? Who has the time, energy or money for spa days, date nights, yoga classes, gym memberships, meditation or new hobbies?
So what’s a busy mom to do? How do we make time for ourselves while caring for our families, careers and communities?
Here are some practical solutions for putting your self-care back on your to-do list without having to drastically alter your life. These wellness practices have had an amazing impact on my own health and well-being, as well as that of my family. They’re simple, practical and easy to implement into any busy mom’s lifestyle.
Morning Affirmations
Begin your day when the world around you begins to awaken. Early morning is a special time of day, when you can best tune in to subtle energies. How we begin our day sets the tone for the rest of it. Waking up early allows for more time, more productivity and more leisure, making our days less stressful. Add a little TLC to your morning as you awaken and before you rise by practicing the following routine:
Lie on your back and place one hand on your heart and one hand on your low belly. Exhale deeply and sink into your body. Inhale the light of the day and imagine that light of love shining within you. Breathe in the words I am loved, supported and cared for and breathe out the words I love. Think of your spouse, partner, children and loved ones, and let that light of love expand within you and fill you.
Before you get out of bed, say to yourself, It’s going to be a good day! Starting your day like this will add intention and a sense direction to your day. We all struggle with the simple idea of loving ourselves as much as we love our children. When you take a moment to fill yourself with love and support first thing in the morning, you lower your stress levels and begin to tap into your own self-compassion.
Just Breathe
“Smile, breathe and go slowly.” ~Thích Nhất Hạnh
This quote from Thích Nhất Hạnh reminds me to move through my days with more ease and more joy. As you move through your days, notice when you are feeling tense, tired, stressed, tight or contracted. At that moment, exhale deeply and soften into the moment. Allow your body and your mind to soften and release their grip. Smile gently at yourself, at the moment, at the word. Take a deep inhale through the nose to the count of five, and exhale deeply for a count of five, allowing your shoulders to drop, your jaw to loosen in a soft smile, and your body and mind to relax.
Regular breathing practices help to calm the body and still the mind. This simple breathing technique will center and ground you, helping you feel less stressed and more energized. Cultivate the habit of breathing intentionally and notice a sense of calm and ease begin to weave itself into the fabric of your days.
Secure Your Oxygen Mask First
In Ayurveda, oxygen in your blood is called “Jivana,” meaning life-giving. Oxygen in your cells is literally the fuel behind your goals and intentions. Securing your oxygen mask first means we make time for ourselves first thing in the morning. Depending on your current routine, this might mean taking a few conscious deep breaths in the morning. Or it might be a brisk walk around the block. For some, it might be stepping onto your yoga mat as a cue to start moving and breathing with intention. The important thing is to build a sense of wholeness and a lightness in your body as a practice into your daily routine.
So take your oxygen mask first thing in the morning. Commit to moving your breath intentionally and clearing your channels before breakfast, before the day can get away from you. Practicing in the morning will affect your entire day, allowing you to make better, more conscious choices.
About the Author
10 Examples of Limiting Beliefs and How to Overcome Them
Limiting beliefs are deeply ingrained thoughts that prevent us from reaching our goals and living the life we desire. In this article, we explore how to identify and overcome these beliefs to unlock our true potential and manifest our desires.
Table of Contents
- What Are Limiting Beliefs?
- 10 Common Examples of Limiting Beliefs
- How Limiting Beliefs Affect Manifestation
- What Is the Origin of Limiting Beliefs or Thoughts?
- How to Overcome Limiting Ideas
- The Importance of Empowering Beliefs in Manifestation
- 10 Examples of Empowering Beliefs
What Are Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are deeply ingrained thoughts and convictions that act as barriers in our personal growth. These beliefs form throughout our lives, often stemming from past experiences, family and social influences, leading us to doubt our abilities. As a result, we set artificial limits on what we believe is possible, preventing us from reaching our true potential.
A limiting belief can be as simple as thinking “I’m not good enough,” or as complex as a pattern of behavior that keeps us stuck in an undesirable situation. By becoming aware of these beliefs, we can begin to question and challenge them, opening the door to new possibilities and opportunities.
Identifying our limiting beliefs is the first step towards overcoming them. This involves deep reflection to understand how these negative thoughts affect us and where they originated in our lives. By dismantling these beliefs, we can replace them with more positive and empowering thoughts that allow us to move forward towards our goals with confidence and determination.
10 Common Examples of Limiting Beliefs
Identifying our limiting beliefs is the first step towards overcoming them and unlocking our potential. Here are ten common examples of these beliefs:
- I’m not good enough: “I’ll never be as good as others.”
- I’m too old or too young: “I’m too young to be a manager.”
- I don’t have enough money: “I’ll never be able to afford that.”
- I don’t have enough time: “I don’t have time to pursue my dreams.”
- I’m not smart: “I can’t understand this, it’s too hard for me.”
- Success is for others, not for me: “They have what it takes, I don’t.”
- I must think of others first, even if it hurts me: “I must always put others’ needs before mine.”
- I’m not creative: “I never have original ideas.”
- It’s too difficult: “I can’t do it, it’s too complicated.”
- I don’t deserve to be happy: “I don’t deserve to enjoy life.”
How Limiting Beliefs Affect Manifestation
Limiting beliefs act as blocks in the manifestation process, preventing our intentions and desires from materializing. When we hold onto negative thoughts or doubt our abilities, we emit a low vibration that attracts experiences and situations aligned with these limiting beliefs. This creates a cycle in which our expectations are continuously confirmed, reinforcing our limitations.
Changing our limiting beliefs requires a conscious and practical approach. It is essential to recognize that these negative thoughts do not reflect reality, but rather a perception conditioned by past experiences. Through techniques such as meditation, the use of positive affirmations, and the practice of visualization, we can transform these mental patterns and align ourselves with our true capabilities. By modifying our beliefs, we not only improve our self-image but also create a mental environment conducive to manifesting our desires and goals.
What Is the Origin of Limiting Beliefs or Thoughts?
Limiting beliefs originate primarily in our childhood, when we are more susceptible to external influences. The messages and experiences we receive from our parents, teachers, and social environment begin to shape our perception of ourselves and the world. Phrases like “you’re not good enough” or “that’s too hard for you” can become deeply ingrained, forming the foundation of our limiting ideas.
In addition to external influences, our personal experiences also play an important role in the development of limiting beliefs. Failures, rejections, and traumatic situations can leave a lasting impression on our minds, leading us to generalize those negative experiences and believe that we will always fail or be rejected. This negative thought pattern is reinforced every time we avoid similar situations to protect ourselves from pain.
Limiting beliefs can also be the result of the culture and society in which we live. Social norms, expectations, and stereotypes can impose restrictions on what we consider possible or acceptable. For example, cultural beliefs about gender, age, or economic status can limit our aspirations and self-image, affecting our ability to manifest the life we truly desire.
Finally, limiting beliefs can originate in our own internal dialogue. Repetitive and negative thoughts can become a mental habit, continuously reinforcing our limiting perceptions. This critical internal dialogue can be especially insidious, as it operates at a subconscious level, influencing our decisions and behaviors without us even realizing it.
How to Overcome Limiting Ideas
Overcoming limiting ideas requires a conscious process of introspection and mental reprogramming. First, it is important to identify and observe these negative beliefs, recognizing their origin and how they affect our lives. Then, through techniques such as meditation, positive affirmations, and visualization, we can reprogram our subconscious and replace limiting beliefs with empowering beliefs that strengthen us and propel us towards our goals.
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Detection and Observation of the Belief
The first step to overcoming a limiting belief is to detect it and observe it closely. Reflect on your daily thoughts and emotions, and ask yourself what beliefs might be blocking your progress. Write these beliefs down and examine their origin, recognizing when and how they arose and how they have influenced your decisions and behaviors.
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Reprogram the Subconscious
Reprogramming the subconscious involves replacing limiting beliefs with positive and empowering thoughts. Use positive affirmations and repeat them daily to modify your internal dialogue. Visualization is another effective technique: imagine in detail what your life would look like after overcoming these beliefs, creating new neural connections that reinforce these empowering thoughts.
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Change the Limiting Belief for an Empowering One
To change a limiting belief for an empowering one, first identify a positive belief you wish to adopt. Write affirmations that reflect this new belief and repeat them regularly. Each time you detect a limiting thought, consciously replace it with the positive affirmation. This process requires consistency and daily practice so that the new belief takes root.
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Consolidation of the New Belief
Consolidating a new belief requires practice and consistency. Integrate your new beliefs into your daily routine through concrete actions that reinforce them. Keep a journal of your progress, record your successes, and reflect on how these new beliefs are transforming your life. Over time, these beliefs will become an integral part of your thinking and daily behavior.
The Importance of Empowering Beliefs in Manifestation
Empowering beliefs are essential for manifestation because they directly influence our ability to attract and achieve our desires. These beliefs propel us forward, creating a positive and receptive mental state. By maintaining empowering beliefs, we align our vibration with our goals, making it easier for our intentions to become reality.
In addition, empowering beliefs allow us to overcome internal obstacles and maintain a mindset of abundance and possibility. They reinforce our self-image and positive expectations, creating a mental and emotional environment that supports and motivates us. By adopting these beliefs, we visualize our goals more clearly and act with confidence and determination, transforming our reality in meaningful ways.
10 Examples of Empowering Beliefs
Adopting empowering beliefs is essential to manifesting our desires and achieving our goals. Here are ten examples of these beliefs that can transform your life:
- I am enough: “I have everything I need to succeed.”
- Age does not define my ability: “Every stage of my life brings new opportunities.”
- Abundance is within my reach: “Money flows to me with ease.”
- I have time for everything that matters: “I can manage my time to fulfill my dreams.”
- I am smart and capable: “I can learn and master any skill.”
- Success is for everyone: “I have what it takes to succeed.”
- Taking care of myself is a priority: “My needs are as important as anyone else’s.”
- I am creative: “I have original and valuable ideas.”
- Challenges are opportunities: “I can overcome any obstacle.”
- I deserve to be happy: “I deserve to fully enjoy life.”
