Autumn is a beautiful time of year, but it can also be a busy time for mums. I know a little about it as – two older kids in primary and secondary school as well as toddler twins.
Between the constant demands of caring for two little ones, keeping up with the house, and trying to also work some freelance projects, it can feel like there’s no time left for anything else.
With the kids back in school and the holidays approaching, it’s easy to let your own self-care fall by the wayside.
But it’s important to remember that taking care of yourself is essential for being a good mum. When you’re taking care of yourself, you’re better able to handle the stresses of motherhood and be present for your kids.
Here are some self-care autumn ideas that I’ve recently found to be helpful:
READING
Create a little haven for yourself with a comfortable blanket and your favorite book. Even few pages a day make a difference. I try to pick up a book instead of a phone and commit literary escape, allowing my mind to wander and unwind.
A WALK IN NATURE:
Even if it’s just for a few minutes, getting some fresh air and sunshine helps to clear my head and boost my mood. I usually have the company – my toddlers, but luckily they still manage to sit for a bit in a stroller and I can fully take this beautiful season in. I think autumn (when it’s not constantly raining) is one of my favourite seasons.
HAVE A WARM (LUXURIOUS) BATH
When you have a few minutes to yourself, take some time to relax in a warm bath or shower. To make it luxurious you don’t need expensive products, I just add some essential oils or bath salts to the water for an extra pampering experience. Light a scented candle or use essential oils with autumn-inspired scents like cinnamon, vanilla, or eucalyptus to create a serene and relaxing atmosphere.
SPEND TIME WITH LOVED ONES
Even if it’s just for a quick phone call or coffee date, making time for your friends and family can help you to feel supported and loved. I find that motherhood can sometimes be lonely, especially when you have multiple kids with bigger age gaps. Phoning / video calling someone I can chat to makes days a little easier and I get that extra boost to keep going.
I know that it can be difficult to find time for self-care as a busy mum, but it’s important to remember that even small acts of self-care can make a big difference. If you can only spare 10 minutes a day, take some time to do something that you enjoy and that makes you feel good.
How do you find time for some self-care as a busy mum?
I find that sometimes it is hard to carve out even an hour for myself but I’ve also promised myself that those little pockets of “me-time” make me a less stressed, better mum.
Here are some tips that worked for me in order to find time for self-care as a busy mum:
GET YOUR PARTNER OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS INVOLVED
Ask your partner to watch the kids for an hour or two so that you can have some time to yourself. Or, ask your older children to help out with chores around the house so that you have more free time.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO SAY NO
It’s okay to say no to extra commitments if you’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s more important to take care of yourself so that you can be the best mum you can be.
BREAK DOWN SELF-CARE INTO SMALLER TASKS
If you feel like you don’t have time for a full hour of self-care, break it down into smaller tasks. For example, you could take a 10-minute walk, read a chapter of a book, or listen to a podcast / book / music.
SCHEDULE TIME FOR SELF-CARE
Just like you would schedule any other important appointment, schedule time for self-care in your calendar. This will help you to make sure that you’re actually taking care of yourself. When I do that (learning currently how to time-block effectively) I seem to treat it as an appointment.
It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to do everything yourself – this has been the biggest lesson of all for me.
Remember, you’re not alone. Being a mum is hard, and taking care of yourself allows you to better care for your loved ones.
Let me know in the comments what things you do to practice self care in busy periods of your life and how easy or difficult is it to get some time for yourself.
Until the next time…
Frugally Balanced 