What is self-care? It really is an elusive concept. It can mean different things to different people, but when it really boils down to it, self-care is very basic and seemingly self-explanatory. It’s the process of taking time out to nurture and care for yourself.

Now as a mama I know that can be the most difficult thing in the world to do. You all of about have to do backflips and perform magic tricks to get dinner on the table, kids bathed, ready for bed and keeping the house clean. Now I’m telling you to somehow find some time in your day, week, or month just for you! You’re saying, girl, you have lost your mind! Oh, but I haven’t. I’ve actually found my sanity again because I was about to lose it.

I was once a believer that self-care was selfish, that there was way too much happening for me to decide I needed to take a break just for me. The kids always had some activity happening, there was always laundry to fold, the house was never clean enough, SR needed my help with something, there was some fire I needed to put out in my business and then there’s the sibling squabbles that are constant day in and day out. I was literally about to lose my fucking mind!

I’m a podcast listener, and one day I decided to give this self-care thing a try. It was the hardest thing I’ve done in a while. I put my phone down. Told SR I wasn’t doing anything. Didn’t work. Stepped away from my computer and pampered myself. Gave myself a manicure and pedicure. Washed my hair. Had a relaxing bath with candles, music and just let it all go. The next day I felt rejuvenated and just AMAZING. I was like, “hmm, maybe there’s something to this whole self-care thing after all.”

Why Do You Need A Self-Care Plan?

Now, back to the initial question at hand, why do you need a self-care plan? Because you deserve it. Your body requires it. Your mind needs it. Your soul craves it. I know you want to be superwoman, do all the things and be all the places, but the truth is YOU CAN NOT DO IT. You weren’t meant to do it alone. It takes a village, sis. Utilize your tribe. I know you don’t want to miss a game, a practice, bring store-bought cookies to the bake sale (truth be told, they’re better tasting anyway), you don’t want to buy fast food or tell your kids no, but I’m here to tell you it’s okay. Do what’s best for you. Don’t worry about what others may say about you. Everyone parents differently and you’re doing what works for you. Slow down, sis! What good are you to your family if you’re burning the candle at both ends, are exhausted and irritable? How can you parent when your patience no longer exists because you’ve been going so hard for so long? How can you run your business successfully if your brain is foggy and you’re not thinking clearly? Let me make this easy for you sis, you CANNOT!

You need a self-care plan so that you can be the best you. You want to be the best mama, wife, sister, girlfriend, daughter, business owner, friend, take some time for you. Decide whether you need self-care every day, one day a week or one day a month, but take it. Go to a spa. Can’t afford to make it to the spa, then create one in your bathroom. Light some candles, run a nice hot bubble bath, turn on some music, tell your husband he has the kids for the day and take back your “me” time. Read a book. Go outside and take a walk, become one with nature. Learn a new hobby. Reclaim your time, sis!

How Do You Create A Self-Care Plan?

Now that we know why we need a self-care plan, how do we create one? Firstly, we’re going to make a list. This isn’t like your everyday to-do list, this is a list of things you value, your mind needs and your soul craves as a part of your day. You should also include things that make you happy. Next, I want you to think about how you’re taking care of yourself in the core areas of your life; physical, financial, social, professional, emotional, spiritual and mental. Think of ways you can make it better. I know some of these areas are more important than others and that’s okay, but you need to take a look at how you’re addressing each of these areas of your life and how you can make them better.

So we have our list, now it’s time to break out that planner, I use my Erin Condren and love it. We’re going to schedule in our self-care. I schedule self-care items daily. I have a checklist inside of my planner and every day I check off each item as I complete it. Of course, life happens, but making a conscious effort to take care of yourself will go a long way in the end. Invest in yourself like you invest in the stock market, but the return is so much better.

What are you going to add to your self-care plan? Do you already have a self-care routine and not even realize it?