Do you ever have an intimate conversation with your morning cup of coffee? It may sound like, “Let’s have a good day” or “Here’s to zero potty accidents!” We are relying on our warm cup of happy to fill us with the energy, the hope, or the good luck that today will be better than yesterday. If we think about it, we are filling our cup with what we NEED to help us survive another day of motherhood.
To take care of our family, we need to take care of ourselves. How can we pour from an empty cup? This is why our cup always needs to be filled.
So how can you fill your cup? I have a few ideas, so get your cup ready!
- Exercise: This takes up the majority of my cup. This is my MUST DO during nap time. Even when I’m tired, I convince myself that I need this. I need this hour to release some stress and sweat out the negativity that exhausts my body. Not only does it do some good for our physical, emotional, and mental health, it shows our children that exercise should be included in our daily activities. Whether it be working out at a gym, pushing the stroller around the neighborhood, or racing around the house, we’re planting seeds into our children’s brains that physical health is important.
- Sleep: I know this one may be difficult, especially for new mamas (I promise you will sleep again!) Sleeping, as I tell my toddler, allows us to rest our bodies. Take your nighttime sleep seriously. Once you’re in bed, put the phone away and turn the TV off. Close your eyes and take deep breaths. If you have babies, talk with your husband about alternating who gets up at night with them. It’s a team effort, never think everything is on your shoulders.
- Pamper Yourself: Go to the nail or hair salon. You deserve to look and feel good. Get the massage!
- Go to Target: Or whatever store that makes you happy! Take an adventure without the kids. Besides, it’s your husband’s turn to watch Moana nonstop. Order your favorite Starbucks drink and take slow walks down every aisle.
- Reach Out to Your Best Friend: Be honest with them if you’re having a bad day. They know how to put a smile back on your face.
- Facetime: Not FaceTime on your phone, but one-on-one time with your spouse. After the kids are put to bed, turn off the tv, and put the phone in another room. Just an intimate time for the two of you to talk about how each other’s day was. Let’s be honest, once babies entered our lives we barely have time to catch up with each other. So dedicate 30 min at night to catch up with your husband.
- Call Your Mom: Because mothers can heal deepest wounds and make scars disappear.
How is your cup looking? Sometimes I overfill my cup and sometimes I forget it’s there. Just don’t forget to warm it up because you need it. Your family needs you to need it.
Here’s to you, mama!
