Self-care: 5 ways that have helped me keep sane

Being a mum is a job where everyone expects to be taken care of by you. Sure, mums are our ‘safe place’, no matter how old one gets they still want their mum. However, it can be easy to think of others and forget the most important person: you! Self-care is very crucial so that the rest of the family have the best of you.

Homeschooling adds a more interesting dimension in that you are always with the kids. And that can work quite a bit on your mental well-being. Here I share with you 5 things that have helped me avoid burning out.

1. Spirituality

Children are a blessing from the Lord, and He is the one who has provided the manual on how to raise them. Reading the bible and spiritual material early in the morning helps me a lot, especially in times when it is challenging to deal with the kids. I have often told people I am in a crucible, being heated so that impatience, short temper and all other negative feelings that spring up with dealing with kids are washed away! And in moments when tempted to lash out, saying a short prayer helps me cool off.

2. Taking up hobbies

Transitioning from being single to becoming a wife or mother comes with some changes. However, there is need to maintain your individuality outside of the marriage and kids. You NEED to find something that you do for just YOU.

When we were in South Korea, my friend Chinga introduced me to sewing. I scoffed inwardly because in school we never got sewing as a subject and the thought had never crossed my mind. What would I lose in trying, anyway? So I did, and loved it! Youtube makes everything easier nowadays, you can learn just about anything. I have taken up sewing again, on top of my other hobbies of reading and writing (this blog). I get to spend even those few minutes, getting back to what makes me tick. Now, that is self-care.

3. Exercise

Being a homemaker can sap the energy out of you! It makes sense to sleep and rest. This is good even for your mood and patience. I have found that exercise boosts my mood as well. No, housework doesn’t count as exercise! Dedicating time for a work-out is great for good health, no better way for self-care, right?

4. Delegating some chores

And speaking of housework, this can drown you easily. There is just so much to do, and when you are done, you have to do those things again😒. A house with toddlers tends much to disorder. I am not a neat freak but I dislike clutter. With much complaining at first, my 4 year-old son has been delegated to the living room. He now knows to pick up and vacuum decently. My 7 year-old is responsible for their room when it’s clean up time. The laundry, dishes and feeding the baby are mostly the dad’s turf.

These roles are not written in stone but largely this is how the chips have fallen. That leaves me with the cooking and generally overseeing everything. Monthly meal-plans have been oh such a life saver. Just deciding what the family is having for dinner solves half the problem!

5. Getting some ‘me’ time

I cherish the moments when the dad gets them out of the house for some play outside, either to the playground or just nearby. My voice box gets to rest, and I get to finish some things without much disturbance.

A dash to the shops alone is such a joy to me 😁. I get to spend a few needed minutes of peace, and also familiarize with places. It often takes much less time than getting all 3 ready for a ride, and there are fewer complaints to deal with! And that’s how I would want to guard my sanity- jealously. If I practice self-care, then there will be enough ‘me’ to go around for everyone!