Living your most successful life takes commitment and a desire always to be better and do better. However, it’s not always an easy task to build a career and raise kids, and you barely have a free moment in each day to breathe.
People say you can’t have it all, at least, not all at once. The truth is, though, it is more than possible to have a wonderful family, career, and home life, but expecting perfection from each aspect of life at the same time is just not realistic. Through this realization and self-acceptance, we can do the best we can and continue to strive for a balance that nourishes both our families and our well-being.
If you are trying to “have it all” and are guilting yourself in the meantime, here are some tidbits of advice that might ease the pressure a bit and help you live your best mom life.
Take risks.
Life wouldn’t be worth living if we didn’t take risks. There is never a perfect time for anything. Whether it’s deciding to have a kid, asking for a raise, or relocating to your new branch on the other side of the country, you can’t do anything without risks. Without risk, there is no reward, so be willing to take risks, be confident in your decision to do so, and be okay with putting certain things on hold if necessary.
Be smart.
Taking risks doesn’t always mean being impulsive. Take the time to make wise choices, whether it comes to budget, parental preferences, or even the right phone plans for your family. Being a parent, you always have to consider the right choice for your children. Once you feel like you’ve made the right decision, commit to it and don’t turn back.
Have confidence.
Believe in yourself as an employee, mom, wife, sister, and every other title you hold dear. Loved ones around you know you are doing the best you can, and you should, too. No one expects perfection except you. Having confidence in yourself and your decisions is just what you need to keep doing the great job you already are.
Be present.
There will be times when you are at work, and you want to be at home, or you’re at home when you want to be at work. Still, having the presence to be in the moment, wherever you are, will keep you focused on the people around you and the tasks that need to be done. By living in the now and getting things done correctly with the attention they need, you’ll get to be wherever you want to before you know it.
Fight perfection.
We can be hard on ourselves when keeping our houses, appearances, and bake-sale donations to a certain standard. Don’t expect perfection because you’ll never be perfect. Instead, accept that the pile of laundry is there, that your roots are showing a little bit, and that the cookies you’re bringing are store-bought. It’s all okay.
Be appreciative.
Life as a mom is tough. Life as a working mom is tough. But there are so many moments of joy that you can find each day. The silly joke your kid tells you, a family after-dinner walk on a beautiful evening, the fun comes in the little things, and appreciating them makes them all the sweeter.
Sleep.
Sleep is one of the things that we all would love to experience, but sometimes it eludes us, especially as a mom. You want a few moments to yourself, but the kids want to lay in the bed with you and take up all the space in the bed. Getting enough sleep is one of the best ways to take care of yourself. It ensures that you’re well-rested and ready to take on the day. If you don’t get enough sleep, you may feel grumpy and take your anger out on those around you, like your children or husband. Getting enough sleep is the best way to ensure that you’re the best for yourself and your family.
Eat nutritiously.
As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” Many moms, especially new moms, tend to push their well-being to the side until everyone and everything else is taken care of. Healthy nutrition is vital to restore your energy which helps in boosting physical and mental activities. If you find it hard to prepare a meal every day, you can try meal prepping during the weekend. It could also benefit you to ask for help from your family if they live close enough to you.
Befriend other moms.
It might be time to get new girlfriends. Having friends who can relate to your situation takes the edge off your mom guilt. You can vent to them about your problems as a mom, and they know exactly what you’re talking about. Your mom friends can be like the support group you run to when necessary. Additionally, they can share how they cope with such situations. However, you don’t have to cut off your friends who don’t have kids because they come in handy on days you get to yourself. Having both moms and friends who aren’t moms will give you a good balance for both parts of your life.
Organize your life.
Having an organization system at home will help ease your work, thus giving you more time to yourself. Have a quick cleanup and storage method for the kids’ toys to avoid trashing the whole house. Try to prepare their meals and take care of essential things in advance. Additionally, you can incorporate some alone time between doing the house chores.
Being a mom is not for the faint of heart. It’s a job that’s nonstop. It can be easy for some moms to get so caught up in motherhood that they forget who they are. However, it’s essential to take time out to recharge your batteries and give the best you to your family. Living your best mom life means that you love your kids and family, but you don’t forget that you have a life outside of your family.
