How to Use Self-Awareness as a Busy Mom
One of the most important things a busy mom can do for herself is to cultivate self-awareness. This means being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions, and how they impact yourself and those around you. It can be difficult to find the time and space to do this when you’re constantly on the go, but there are some simple steps you can take to make it a part of your daily routine.
Start by paying attention to your thoughts throughout the day. When you have a negative thought about yourself, take a step back and think about it. Is it true? Or is it just something you’re telling yourself in the moment? If it’s not true, let it go. If it is true, what can you do to change it?
Pay attention to your emotions as well. How are you feeling and why are you feeling this way? Is it because of something that happened today, or is it something that’s been building up over time? If it’s something that happened today, what can you do to resolve the issue? If it’s something that’s been building up, what can you do to release the emotion in a healthy way? - I enjoy screaming into a pillow (if the feeling is anger.)
Finally, take notice of your actions. Are they helping you aid to your goals and values? If not, why? And what can you do to change them?
Cultivating self-awareness takes time and practice, but it’s worth it. When you’re more aware of yourself, you’re better able to make choices that aid to your goals and values. You’re also able to manage your emotions in a healthier way and communicate more effectively with those around you. So, take some time for yourself, and start practicing self-awareness today!
Benefits of Practicing Self-Awareness
There are many benefits of practicing self-awareness, but as a mom, it's a key component to life. As a mom, we are constantly giving of ourselves to those around us. We are always thinking about our kids, spouse, family and friends and making sure they are taken care of. This can lead to us forgetting about our own needs. By practicing self-awareness, we can make sure that we are taking care of ourselves, both physically and emotionally.
Self-awareness allows us to see all of ourselves clearly. We can become aware of our strengths and weaknesses and work on improving ourselves in the areas we feel may need improvement. We can also become aware of our triggers and learn how to deal with them in a healthy way. When we are self-aware, we are able to set boundaries and stick to them. We can say no to things that we don’t want to do, and when the opportunity arises, we can put our own needs first.
Self-awareness is also beneficial for our relationships. When we are aware of our own emotions, we can better understand the emotions of others. This can help us to communicate more effectively, collaborate with our loved ones and to resolve conflict in healthier ways. We can also build stronger relationships by being more present and engaged when we are with the people we care about.
Practicing self-awareness is a lifelong journey that can help us to be our best selves. As moms, we need to remember to take care of ourselves so that we can be the best possible versions of ourselves for our families.
Create a Daily Self-Care Routine
It's so important to make time for yourself every day. You need to be able to fill that cup back up in order to be the best mom you can be. One of the best ways to do this is to create a daily self-care routine.
Self-care can look different for everyone, but there are some key components that should be included in every routine.
First, practice self-awareness. What do you need in order to feel your best? Make sure to include some time for yourself in your daily routine, even if it's just a few minutes.
Next, focus on your physical health. Eating healthy and exercising are both important aspects of self-care. Schedule some time each day for physical activity, even if it's just going for a walk around the block. And be sure to feed yourself nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day.
Finally, don't forget about your mental health. Make time each day to do something that brings you joy. This could be writing, reading, art, cooking or anything else that you enjoy. You might also want to consider scheduling some time each week for a more in-depth self-care activity, such as getting a massage or going to therapy.
Creating a daily self-care routine may take some time to get used to, but it's something that can make a huge impact to your day-to-day life. Taking care of yourself will help you be a better mom and a better person overall.
Learn to Identify Your Stressors
It's important to be aware of the things that trigger your stress so that you can manage it more effectively. There are many different types of stressors, and everyone has different triggers. Some common stressors include:
• Money issues: Worries about money can be a major source of stress for many people. If you're struggling to get bills paid, make purchases that you feel should not be difficult or worrying about your financial future, it can be tough to relax and enjoy your life.
• Relationship issues: Whether it's struggles with your spouse, children, or co-workers; relationships can be a major source of stress. If find that you are always arguing or feeling like you're not being understood, it can take a toll on your mental and physical health.
• Employment issues: If you don't enjoy your job or you're constantly dealing with office politics, work stress can be a major problem.
• Health issues: Worrying about your health or the health of loved ones can be very stressful as well. It can take focus away from other aspects of life and create additional stressors along the way.
• Life as a while: Life can be one gigantic ball of stress. This could be caused by an overload of obligations, struggling through a difficult time or running into mental health issues.
If you want to practice self-awareness for moms, it's important to take some time to identify your own personal stressors. Once you know what stresses you out, you can start to find ways to manage it more effectively.
There are many different ways to deal with stress, and what works for one person may not work for another. Some common ways to manage stress include:
• Exercising: Exercise is a great way to release tension and boost your mood. Taking a brisk walk, going for a run, or working out at the gym can help you feel better and reduce your stress levels.
• Mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you focus on the present moment and let go of worries about the future. Taking a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath can help you feel calmer and more centered. There are many audiobooks that can assist you in calming yourself to focus and rejuvenate.
• Relaxation Techniques: There are many different relaxation techniques that can help you reduce stress. Try practices like yoga, Tai Chi, or progressive muscle relaxation to help you feel more relaxed.
• Journaling/Blogging: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you process them and let them go. Keeping a journal can be a helpful way to vent your frustrations and deal with stress in a healthy way. For some, including me, creating a blog to put your thoughts out into the void is helpful because you are getting your information out of your head and possibly could help another mother in the process.
• Counseling: Sometimes, it can be helpful to talk to a professional about the things that are stressing you out. Counseling can provide you with tools and strategies for dealing with stress in a healthy way.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by stress, don't hesitate to reach out for help. There are many resources available to help you deal with stress in a healthy way.
Listen to Your Body
Moms everywhere are always looking for ways to take care of themselves so they can be the best possible version of themselves for their families. One way to do this is by practicing self-awareness.
Self-awareness is key to making sure you are taking care of yourself both physically and emotionally. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget to pay attention to how your body is feeling. But if you want to be the best mom you can be, it’s important to listen to your body and be aware of how it’s feeling.
There are a few things you can do to practice self-awareness:
1. Check in with your body regularly.
Take a few moments each day to tune in to how your body is feeling. Notice if there are any areas that feel especially tight or tense. Pay attention to how your energy levels are throughout the day. And be aware of any emotions that come up, good or bad.
2. Keep a health journal.
Writing down how you’re feeling can help you to better understand your emotions and bodily sensations. Jot down whatever comes to mind, even if it doesn’t seem important. Over time, you might start to see patterns emerge that you can then address.
3. Talk to your doctor.
If you’re experiencing any unusual symptoms or just want to chat about how you’re feeling, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor. They can help you rule out any potential health issues and offer guidance on how to take care of yourself.
4. Make time for yourself.
It can be tough to find time for yourself when you’re a busy mom, but it’s so important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself, too. Whether it’s taking a yoga class, going for a run, or just taking a few minutes to relax with a cup of tea, find something that helps you feel refreshed and recharged.
5. Seek professional help if needed.
If you’re struggling to cope with stress or anxiety, or if you’re just not feeling like yourself, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. A therapist can offer guidance and support as you work through whatever is going on in your life.
Assess Your Goals and Priorities
It's easy for moms to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of their bigger goals. That's why it's important to take some time every now and then to assess your goals and priorities.
I am a huge fan of lists: to-do lists, grocery lists and goal lists. One way to assess your goals and priorities is to ask yourself some tough questions trough a goal question list:
- What are my long-term goals? - What are my priorities? - What am I willing to sacrifice in order to achieve my goals? - What do I need to change in order to achieve my goals?
- Will I need assistance in reaching my goals?
- Do a have the support system I need?
You may not have all the answers to these questions right away. And that's okay. Just taking the time to think about them is a step in the right direction.
Another way to assess your goals and priorities is to practice self-awareness. This means being honest with yourself about what you want and why you want it. It also means being mindful of your thoughts, emotions, and actions.
Set Boundaries with Others
Don't worry, moms, we're here to help you set boundaries with others! You might be wondering why it's important to set boundaries or what boundaries even are. In short, boundaries are guidelines or rules that we set for ourselves to help us keep our space and energy clear. They help us to stay focused on what's important to us and protect us from getting overwhelmed or taken advantage of.
There are different types of boundaries we can set, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual boundaries. It's important to set boundaries in all areas of our lives, but as moms, we often need to be particularly mindful of our boundaries with our children. After all, they are our most cherished loved ones and it's only natural that we want to give them everything we've got! But just like we need to take care of ourselves, we also need to set boundaries with our kids so that we can maintain our sanity and take care of them in the best way possible.
Some examples of setting boundaries with kids might be:
- Saying no when they ask for something that you can't or don't want to do
- Making sure you have time for yourself every day, even if it's just a few minutes
- Not letting them always have their way
- Not engaging in arguments or power struggles
- Letting them know that you love them unconditionally but that doesn't mean you have to do everything they want.
It can be hard to set boundaries with our kids, especially when we feel guilty or like we're disappointing them. But it's important to remember that setting boundaries is actually a way of showing our kids that we love them. When we set boundaries, we're teaching them how to respect our needs and limits, and ultimately how to respect themselves. So don't be afraid to set boundaries with your kids! It's good for them AND good for you.
Find Support from Friends and Family
Motherhood can seem like you're all on your own, all of the time. However, I'm sure you've also heard the saying, "It takes a village." From the moment our little ones are born, we are responsible for their safety, wellbeing, and happiness. And while it's one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, it's also one of the most challenging. That's why it's so important to find support from friends and family.
For me, asking for support from anyone is hard. I've always done by best to do things on my own. Partly because I don't want to be seen as someone who cannot handle her life and partly because I have OCD and I'm always worried things will be done in a way I feel is incorrect. However, I've learned that I can't do it all on my own and that it's okay to ask for help. Whether it's a shoulder to cry on or someone to watch the kids while I take a break, I know that I can count on my loved ones to be there for me.
I also try to be there for other moms whenever I can. I know how important it is to have someone to talk to who understands what you're going through. We can't do this alone, and we need all the support we can get!
If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't be afraid to reach out to your friends and family. They'll be more than happy to help you through this tough journey we call motherhood.
Keep Practicing Self-Awareness
Throughout this piece, I have expressed that it can be difficult to keep up with the demands of motherhood, and it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day shuffle. One way to stay grounded and in touch with yourself is to practice self-awareness.
Remember that self-awareness is the ability to tune into your own thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. It sounds simple, but it's not always easy to do, especially when you're juggling a million different things.
Practicing self-awareness is a lifelong journey, but it's so important for moms. It can help you stay connected to yourself and make sure that you're taking care of your own needs. So don't be afraid to start practicing today!
🧡Shine Bright, Kayla