It's that time of year when everyone starts making new years resolutions that they will probably never keep or heck even attempt at trying! I know I am guilty of it on numerous occasions. After having Mason it hit me like a brick wall that I really need to start taking care of me. Having two kids is amazing but it is exhausting. I barely ever took time for myself when it was just Lily and I but now that I have two kiddo's I am realizing even more how important it is for me to do something for me, even if it is once a month. I am going to call it "mommy mindfullness". The only way for me to be 100% for my kids is to take care of myself, to have mommy mindfullness. Yes mom's I said it. We need to take care of OURSELVES. Since becoming a mom I almost forgot what that looked like. Before having kids, I would go get my nails done, go to the mall by myself, treat myself to lunch out, heck I would sleep in! When was the last time I went to the mall by myself you ask? I couldn't tell you! When was the last time I slept in? My answer, what's sleep? I really need to make a conscious effort to change the answers to these questions. So I decided before the year was up that I wanted to look into different ways that I could fill my cup. Different things that I could do inside or outside of the house, by myself or even with the kids that were for me!
What I found the hardest is stepping outside of my comfort zone. I am not really one to try new things. I like to be comfortable. Keep to the hobbies and interests that I typically enjoy. I think that stems from me being a perfectionist and not wanting to fail at something. But I had an opportunity to try something new and I took a leap of faith and I really enjoyed it. What did I try you ask? YOGA! Yes I know this isn't anything new to most of you out there as I know that Yoga has become a common practice in many people's lives. However for me it was very new. I attended an event in my hometown and met Meaghan from @mindfulyogimomma and she introduced me to her Mama and Tot Yoga class that she teaches. At first I was hesitant to attend but one thing I loved is that I could bring both Lily and Mason with me. It can be difficult to get someone to watch both the kids to go out so I wanted to look for activities that were child friendly so that I never felt that I had to miss out on something because I had to bring the kids. So for the first time, Mason and I bundled up and went off to Yoga Class. Lily did not join us until I attended a 2nd class. YES MOMS! I loved it so much I went back :) And I am very proud of myself for it! Meaghan was an amazing teacher - she made me feel comfortable among the class without centering out the fact that I was new to the group and little did she know (until the end of class) that I had never taken a yoga class before. The other moms brought their children as well and they all played among themselves or with each other and it was great! Mason was content lying on the yoga mat with momma. He fussed a few times, and I had to tend to him but to be honest I was kind of grateful for him needing my attention because I needed a break. YOGA IS HARD! And I think this is what got me hooked. Is it was challenging for me! A challenge that I want to conquer. So I attended a 2nd class and this time brought both Mason and Lily along with me. Lily had a blast playing with the other kids and even tried copying a few of the yoga poses herself (I wish I had caught it on camera it was adorable!). She even came up behind me and smacked my bum when we were doing downward dog pose. What a little cheeky monkey she is! What I loved was that even though the kiddos were with me I was so relaxed! I was able to find a quiet place within me while still having my kids around. And I think this is an important skill to learn that I can use in my everyday life. That when there is so much noise happening around me I can use Yoga to help find that calm place inside me to quiet down the outside noise. So I decided I am going to sign up for Meaghan's winter session come January and this will be my weekly self-care activity.
There are so many other things though that we can do for ourselves that don't require us going out of the house. I am trying to be mindful of the fact that I don't have to do everything at home everyday. The dishes can wait, the laundry can wait (heck who cleans and puts their laundry away in the same day anyways!) -- what is now important is to take some time for me. I have been trying to have a kid free shower every night. Once Mason and Lily are settled into bed I sneak away for a shower. I know this sounds silly but moms you get it - when was the last time you went to the washroom by yourself? Or without one of your kids banging on the door asking for something? It is something so small, but I really enjoy my 10 min steaming hot showers by myself! Another thing I am going to try to be mindful of is my love for reading. I used to read a new book every week, sometimes 2! Once I had kids I put that on the back burner and I have barely read a book in 2 years. I always found reading relaxing and a great way for me to shut my brain off. So, I am going to try to read more often. Even if it is a few pages a day it is something.
So my challenge for you! What are you going to try to do for yourself? I challenge you all to try to take make time for at least one hour of self-care a month. I would also love to hear what you already do for self-care? Let's all join together and motivate each other to take care of ourselves!
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