Happy Mother's Day to all moms!!! You deserve a restful and joyful day for yourself.
Celebrating Mother's Day shouldn't be downplayed due to the coronavirus outbreak, should it? Have you heard of "Happy wife, happy life?" This is a cliché we love to joke around in my house, but it is also a good reminder that mothers need some care and love too. If you feel overwhelmed taking care of everyone staying at home, I have some tips to share with you to, hopefully, keep you sane and healthy.
1. Start counting what you have accomplished
There are so many important and not so important things we need to take care every day. Our to-do list is alway long that I even need to scroll down twice on my iPhone screen to see the end of the list. The long list makes us feel inadequate and doubt our ability to ever finish it. This is so wrong. We are so creative that we always find ways to improve things and get things done. Therefore, the list will just keep expanding. Instead of letting the list overwhelm you. You should start counting what you have done today. Even just one small thing, such as reading to your children, you have been fantastic being a wonderful human in the world.
2. Set up a ritual to turn off your brain
Your endless to-do list may still be there to intimidate you, but you do have a way to walk away and shut off your brain that won't stop worrying about it. My favorite ritual is to take a shower. I love to play light music and enjoy the hot water running through my body. This is also my "me time" where I can reflect my day and just relax. I do this after I send my children to bed at about 9pm. After the shower, never open your computer or look at your phone again. if your need to plan or write something, use a pen and paper. Computer screens are just a terrible stimulation for bedtime, while good quality of sleeps send you a happy mood.
3. Have faith to what lies upon you
I know. I hate bad days that make me feel depressed too. But looking back, there are always something to learn from those bad days. Instead of dwelling on your miseries, you should comfort yourself, your soul, as you would do to your friends. When I just started my business years ago, I was so nervous about talking about my services to people I met for the first time. I felt a total failure. But I then started making bullet points about my service as if I was preparing a speech at graduate school. I failed again to let my potential clients understand my services well. I was sad, but I told myself I can do it because I received top grade on my speech class at school. I just needed to have faith to myself and to what had laid upon me. I didn't give up and built it up a little bit at a time after numerous failures . I counted my small progress instead of my failures. That being said, when you move your right foot, your left foot will follow. So next time, when things do not come your way, try to learn something from on it and move on immediately.
4. Give yourself something joyful to look forward
Making a fun and doing-nothing plan in your calendar is as important as your work and chores. Once a while, you need to feed your soul, but it doesn't have to be a fancy vacation. What you mind is asking for is as simple as drinking coffee alone in your deck at 4pm, singing karaoke together with your family on Saturday afternoon, or calling a friend on next Wednesday morning. Me-time and connecting with others are the best way to nourish your soul. Shopping doesn't count much. Well, Maybe a little bit.
5. Have work out routine
It's not news at all that work out can keep your stress at bay, but we just can't commit to it unless you can feel the emotional change in your body. My work out routine comes and goes. Until one day, my 9 years old girl shared with me her learning about emotions and feelings at her social study class. Recognizing our feelings is the first step toward preventing emotional meltdown. Since then, I started paying attention to my emotion. When I sensed myself being a little grumpy or impatient, I know stress has begun to accumulate in my body. Then I will make sure I do some workout that day before the stress affects me. It doesn't have to be an intensive jogging. It can be a 15 minutes walk or 20 minute stretches, but don't ignore the signs your body is telling you.
6. Make plans before you go to bed
If you can accomplish one or two things each day, then you are a rock star in my eye. Making a simple plan for next day does not only give you a sense of control of your life, but also helps eliminate worries in our mind. It's important to start with just one thing and achieve it instead of making three things but finishing nothing, which will over time undermine your confidence. Motherhood is hard, but don't be your own worst enemy.
I revisit these tips often and they have helped me stay calm and happy in my hectic lifestyle. I hope they are helpful for you too. Happy Mother's Day to you. And Stay safe and healthy!
Thank you so much for your continuous support. I plan to run a biggest promotion when the lock down order is lifted, so please stay in touch! (Sign up my newsletter on the main page)
Best wishes,
Crystal
Thank you for reading.
Love & Peace!
Newborn, Family, Maternity
Crystal Tseng Photography
