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Ever found yourself in a whirlwind of overwhelming responsibilities, guilt, and self-criticism as a working mom and struggle to find ways on how to have self-compassion for yourself?
You’re not alone.
It’s been a few weeks since we last connected on the podcast, and that’s because my life took a few unexpected turns. The chaos of the summer with kids home from school, the juggling act of parenting and running my own business, and the unanticipated challenges I experienced along with it led me understanding the true importance of self-compassion.
You can listen to today’s podcast to get the full run-down of the ways I was beating myself up over the past couple of weeks.
I speak from experience that as a working mom, it’s easy to be hard on yourself, but today, I’m here to share how you can nurture self-compassion and embrace the imperfections of this journey called working motherhood.
How to Have Self-Compassion as a Working Mom
🤔 Understand The Essence of Self-Compassion
At its core, self-compassion is about treating yourself with the same kindness you extend to others. Think of it as parenting yourself with the love and understanding you show your children. This nurturing practice is vital for your overall wellbeing – both physical and mental. In a world filled with expectations and constant changes, being self-critical takes a toll on your mental health and emotional balance.
😫 Recognize and Validate Your Emotions
We all experience emotions like guilt, stress, inadequacy, and frustration, especially as working moms. The key is to acknowledge and validate these feelings without judgment. Instead of spiraling into self-criticism, try journaling or simply accepting that these emotions are valid responses to the challenges you face.
🛁 Prioritize Self-Care Without Guilt
Prioritizing self-care is essential, yet it’s often burdened by guilt. Remember, just like the airplane safety rule – put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. Self-care is not selfish; it’s a necessity. During my busy summer, I reframed self-care to include catching up on sleep and finding moments to meditate and journal.
🚧 Embrace Imperfections and Setbacks
Life rarely goes according to plan, and setbacks are a natural part of any journey. Instead of berating yourself, embrace these setbacks as opportunities for growth. For instance, my disrupted content creation streak led me to uncover new perspectives and refine my focus.
🗣 Practice Self-Compassionate Self-Talk
Your self-talk matters. Reevaluate how you communicate with yourself and rephrase negative thoughts in a kinder, more supportive manner. This self-compassionate self-talk can have a profound impact on your mindset and overall wellbeing.
👥 Cultivate a Supportive Community
Surrounding yourself with a supportive community is invaluable. These individuals can offer empathy, validation, and even call you out when you’re being too hard on yourself. Your kids, your spouse, and fellow working moms can play a crucial role in nurturing your self-compassion.
In Summary:
Remember, self-compassion is a continuous journey. It requires effort and intention, but the rewards are immense. By replacing self-criticism with kindness, you’ll find the strength to navigate the challenges of being a working mom.
Embrace imperfections, prioritize self-care, and build a community that uplifts you.
As Louise Hay wisely said, “Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens”.
If you’re eager to explore self-compassion and discover actionable self-care strategies designed specifically for working moms, I’ve got a free ebook for you. Click here to access 41 pages of tangible strategies that go beyond bubble baths.
And remember, your journey as a working mom is shared by many – be kind to yourself, and I’ll catch you on the next episode.