Self-Care Mummy Blog Series - Week 18

This New Year I’m talking all about Self-Care as a mum and how important it is to take that time for us. Every week I’ll be bringing you a new guest blog post with some top tips and hopefully throughout the next few months we’ll have put together an amazing list of different ideas for self-care.

This week is Carly Jones.

Tell us a bit about yourself - who you are, what you do and a bit about your family:

I'm a 36 year old mum of Henry 9 and Francesca 7. I have always worked part time except when I was on maternity leave, for several years I'd look after them during the day then go to work at night. I've struggled with mental health issues over the years. It was exhausting and soul destroying not having any time to myself. Even after I'd changed jobs and they were in school, I'd find myself doing all of the housework and still not doing anything for me, whilst resenting my husband's ability to relax in front of the TV with a beer as soon as he finished work, or pursue his hobbies.

What do you do for self-care as a mum and how do you make time for self-care?

I started drinking heavily to cope, which I think is common with a lot of mums. I became angry and all I wanted was to drink and for the kids to leave me alone. I knew I had to change. I started to work on improving myself. I signed up to an online fitness coach and started an 80 day programme, working out from home and focusing on eating healthily.

A big part of that was self-care (Epson baths etc) but the very nature of spending that time focusing on myself and seeing results and feeling proud of my achievements did wonders for my mental state and relationships with my kids and husband. I found it caused such a profound shift within me that I wanted to recommend it to other mums and help them to realise they can do something for themselves despite feeling trapped. I always thought I didn't have time to exercise as my husband usually gets home too late for me to go to classes. I didn't realise there was a way I could do it from home, with support. I became an online coach and set up themotiv8dmummy.com to help other mums who have become stuck in a rut to love themselves again.

What are your three top tips for self-care for mums?

1. Exercise! Even if you don't like it. It's time to yourself, for yourself. You'll feel better straight away and over time feel better about your body so be more confident. It's true what they say healthy body, healthy mind. I'm not a big fan of exercise myself but it has changed my life. Completing a challenge like the 80 day one made me realise I can do hard things. It gave me a boost of confidence and made me question my self doubts and self-motivated untruths.

2. Get a cleaner. We weren't sure if we could afford a cleaner. We talked about it for years. Now we have one we can't go back! It's worth the money. No more arguments about the state of the house. And it gives me time freedom to do what makes me happy. Use the time saved to do something you enjoy.

3. Sleep. This is so important for mood and is probably the most important thing you can do for self-care. Make sure you are getting 8hrs a night (easier said than done when you have little ones). It's easy to let bedtime creep up (especially when we take mobile devices to bed). Create a Google sleep hygiene routine, go to bed early enough, read a book for 20-30minutes to unwind, remove TVs and phones from the bedroom.

Are there any products/businesses/podcasts ect that you would recommend for self-care?

Beachbody on demand for exercising at home, meal plans and online support from your personal fitness coach and accountability group.

Shakeology nutrient dense superfood shakes. Amazing for gut health, boosting immune system, curbing cravings, and improving mood. I drink it everyday and feel like I'm really taking care of my nutritional needs.

I've started listening to audiobooks on audible on the way to and from work. I'd recommend Girl wash your face by Rachel Hollis to start with.

I've just started using a meditation app Headspace, which starts at 3 minutes which is easy to fit in and sends reminders.

You can see more of Carly over at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

I hope you enjoyed reading this lovely guest blog post by Carly all about self-care as a mum! Be sure to check out the blog next week for another guest blog post all about self-care!

Have a lovely day!

Emma x

If you would love to take part in this blog series please head to our website here!