What do you do to take care of yourself? No, really. Not just showering and eating. Those are important, but what do you do each day that makes you feel better in your skin, your home, your life?
Our featured article is one mama’s explanation of things she does for herself EVERY DAY. And she does them without the weight of guilt because she knows Mama needs to take care of herself, not just everyone around her.
*If reading is on your self-care list, check out my friend’s easy, no-pressure book club called Stacks of Life. She recommends a book each month, you read it on your own time (if you want to), and at the end of the month she reviews it and you can chime in with thoughts or just read/listen to the review. She shares all her reads, including her Stacks of Life picks, on Facebook and Instagram.
One way to take care of yourself is to let others help you. And we want to help with dinner. So check out the Recipes of the Week and take the stress out of meal planning.
And yes, I’ve shared my thoughts on self-care at the bottom in Just Sayin’. I hope you check it out. And I hope you take care of yourself — as a priority — this week.
5 Things I Do For Myself Every Day And Feel Zero Guilt About
By Mari Ebert
Okay, time for real talk. I’m a wife, a mom, and a teacher. I spend 95% of my day catering to other people’s needs, and it’s freaking exhausting.
Half the time I forget to eat, or I walk into the grocery store without a bra on, wearing the same yoga pants I’ve had on for three days in a row.
It’s so easy to lose myself in my daily routine that I often put my own needs on the back burner.
But honestly, I can’t take care of everyone else if I don’t take care of myself first.
Self-care is so important for all women, not just moms, and it’s something we need to make a priority in our lives. It’s not easy, but we need to find time for it.
Here are 5 things I do for myself every single day that I refuse to feel guilty about:
1. Read Raunchy Romance Novels
We all have guilty pleasures. You know, those things you do that you’re kind of embarrassed to admit to anyone else but that make you ridiculously happy. I love to grab my Kindle, find a quiet place where I can shut out the world around me, and lose myself in a totally unrealistic raunchy romance novel. The men are hot, the women are bad asses, and the plotlines are super dramatic and juicy.
I read before bed every single night, but I also try to sneak in a chapter or two while I’m sitting in car line, waiting for the Instant Pot timer to go off, or when I’m enjoying my morning coffee.
The spicier the better — and let’s be real, all those sexy scenes lead to one happy husband and a super fun sex life. It’s a win-win situation!
2. Enjoy My Morning Coffee
I don’t drink a ton of caffeine, but I absolutely must drink one cup of coffee every single morning. Not just because I become a raging bitch monster to anyone in my path if I don’t have it, but because I love it so damn much.
And I don’t just drink it, I actually take the time to slow down and enjoy it.
Also, a regular cup of joe isn’t going to cut it for me — I’m as basic and bougie as they come, so of course my coffee is too.
Whether I make it at home, or run through the drive-thru, I drink a perfect cup of goodness every morning topped with sweet cream cold foam, and I don’t even think about the number of calories or grams of sugar.
Life is too short to not let yourself indulge on the little things that bring you joy.
3. Create And Carry Out My Skincare Routine
As I get older, I’ve noticed that things on my face and body are squishier, droopier, puffier, and bumpier. It sucks. Back in my twenties, I could do a quick wash with good old Neutrogena and call it a day, but in my thirties, I’ve learned to appreciate the importance of and need for a good skin care routine.
I splurge on high-quality products, and I take the time every morning and every night to pamper myself.
I even shut and lock the bathroom door so those 10 minutes I spend cleansing and moisturizing are relaxing and meaningful, and not interrupted by little humans demanding snacks. Unless someone is bleeding or on fire, let mama scrub in peace.
4. Move
In my perfect world, I would be able to make it to the gym every single day. Working out and staying active are a huge part of my life, but it’s just not a realistic option for me.
My work schedule varies from day to day, kids and life happen, and I’m not always able to make it. For a long time I let myself feel guilty about not prioritizing fitness, but then I realized that exercising doesn’t have to happen in a gym.
Sure, I go when I can, and I prefer to workout in a gym versus at home, but I decided to simply made it a priority to move in some way every single day.
Even if it’s only for a few minutes. That might mean that I go for a walk in the morning before everyone wakes up.
Or, sometimes I blast my favorite songs and dance my ass off in the kitchen while folding laundry or cooking dinner.
I love to go on bike rides, stretch and do yoga, or squeeze in some squats and lunges while I’m on the phone for work. Regardless of how I choose do it, I make sure to carve out the time every day to move my body and show it a little love.
5. Give My Kids Tablet Time
Screen time is such a controversial and touchy subject, but this mama has no problem admitting that I give my kids their tablets, when needed, every single day.
They don’t spend all day on them, and I control the apps they are able to use, but I have no shame in busting them out when I need a break.
Screen time means I can actually take a shower without my daughter trying to wash her Barbie’s hair with my expensive shampoo. Screen time means I have a few minutes to eat a hot meal or drink a hot cup of coffee, or fold laundry.
Screen time means that I am able to pull out my own phone, take some time to scroll social media, do some online shopping, or make a Tik Tok.
We use the tablets in moderation, so for that reason, I don’t feel bad when I hand them over and send them to their rooms because I need a few moments to myself.
Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate or outrageous.
It doesn’t have to be time consuming or over the top. It can be as simple as finding the little things we do daily that fill our cup and make us happy. The little things that make it easier to do the bigger, harder things.
As moms, we spend 95% of our day catering to other people’s needs, so taking just 5% to focus on ourselves isn’t something we should EVER feel guilty about.
RECIPES OF THE WEEK:
Use these five delicious family dinners to feed your family and take some of the stress out of the week.
Easy Beef Tacos
Ingredients:
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade: 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp salt)
1/3 cup water
8-10 taco shells (hard or soft tortillas)
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
1/2 cup salsa or taco sauce
1 avocado, sliced or mashed (optional)
Instructions:
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Heat the taco shells according to the package instructions (either in the oven or microwave).
Spoon the beef mixture into each taco shell. Top with shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, and any other toppings you like.
Serve immediately with salsa or guacamole on the side.
Sausage Tortellini
Ingredients: