Glimmers of Self-Care

Taking care of yourself can easily slip to the bottom of the list when you have children. There’s always something — or someone — that comes before you. And while you don’t resent that, it can leave you craving a little time for yourself. That craving can become all-consuming, and you find yourself daydreaming about something as simple as going to the toilet or having a bath in peace, or wandering the supermarket alone without a small person asking for something they can’t have.

Those daydreams sound ridiculous, right? But not to a mum in desperate need of a break. The truth is, sometimes in life, we don’t get breaks. It’s continuous, and all you can do is ride the wave.

But here’s the thing — you can shift that. It’s a common misconception that self-care requires time and money. It doesn’t have to be a holiday or a spa day. It can be small moments sprinkled throughout your day — glimmers that remind you to breathe, be present, and remember that you matter too.

This can look like:

✨ Enjoying a hot coffee 

✨️ Stretching your body

✨ Lighting a candle

✨️ Slapping on a facemask

✨ Taking a long, steamy bath

✨ Ordering those vitamins

✨️ Burning some insence

✨ Curling up with a good book

✨ Walking in nature

✨ Getting your nails done

✨ Laughing with a friend

✨ Dancing in your kitchen 

✨ Cooking yourself a meal

These small moments, practiced regularly, can ease that longing for something bigger. Don’t get me wrong — those big breaks, real time-outs, are glorious. But sometimes they’re just not feasible. And that’s okay. The little moments add up. They create a happier, calmer version of you — one that isn’t selfish, just mindful of your own needs.

The worst thing you can do is tell yourself you don’t have time (we all do it!). But you can find time for yourself — even in the busiest days. When the children go to bed, while they’re playing independently, or when they’re eating breakfast. If you can find time to clean, fold washing, or scroll on your phone, you can definitely carve out a few minutes for you. Those moments matter more than you think.

You’re also showing your children the importance of self-care — teaching them how to show up for themselves, even during the busiest seasons of life.

So next time you feel like you need a time out, step away. Find something that makes you smile. Have that coffee — and drink it hot. Get outside and breathe in the fresh air. Cook that steak, nourish your body, treat yourself, and remember who the fuck you are.