Self-Care is Not Selfish

I have a super sick baby at my house today so I'm just sharing a thought today.

I recently read about a mom who has battled postpartum depression. She was sharing her story and she wrote a phrase that really stuck out to me. 

"Self-care is NOT selfish." 

I know as mothers, we all too often put others needs before our own. And sometimes we get so busy, we forget to be kind to ourselves. 

These days, the pressure of being a new mom is incredibly hard. You are almost expected to "bounce back" to your pre-pregnancy body as soon as possible, keep up with the house, make dinners, care for a tiny human who needs your constant attention every two hours around the clock, all while trying to heal from having a baby! You're exhausted on a whole new level, hungry (breastfeeding hunger is insane), and you are beyond sore.

But what about you? Adjusting to life as a new mom can be hard. It is so important to address your needs. Physically getting all the rest you need, not overwhelming yourself with chores and meals, and just letting yourself bond with your new little baby instead of stressing about your weight or how you look. 

The same concept applies when your baby is older. Make sure you are taking time for yourself. Exercising, crafting, reading, whatever it is that makes you happy. If you're not caring for yourself, how can you be expected to care for everyone else? 

It is not selfish. It is necessary to not just survive motherhood, but thrive in it. 

Don't forget that you are important too. You matter too.