Tag: Self-Care

My Favorites: Cozy Season Essentials.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 2 Comments

One season I always get excited about is Fall. Especially in Michigan, it is so beautiful.

Colors everywhere, the weather cools down and suddenly being cozy inside is all I want to do.

Football and hockey on the TV with a batch of chili in the crockpot. Just thinking about it gives me the warm and fuzzy feelings even if it comes with my husband yelling at the TV in the background ;).

Although I did join a fantasy league with the girls this year so maybe I will be just as into it when the football games are on.

I love finding new things for the house to get me excited for rainy Fall days inside. Creating that cozy atmosphere is so important to me and I feel like this is my best haul yet, I can’t wait to share it with you all.

Oh my goodness, you have no idea the excitement I had starting this. Fall/ Winter I dive into my Romantasy reading and if you are a book girlie like me then I can only imagine your excitement for the upcoming Fall reads. BUT let me tell you, THIS BOOK WRECKED ME. What a way to kick Fall reading off. I was absolutely blown away by this book. Have you read it?

Speaking of books, I recently purchased this duet and I cannot wait. I have been eyeing them up for years and I finally decided to dive in. I have heard so many good things about them and they seem like the perfect type of atmosphere for some gloomy day reading.

It wouldn’t be Fall without a new coffee cup and Gilmore Girls! I re-watch it every year and it is just so soothing for the soul. I was so excited when a friend bought this coffee cup for me. It’s perfect and so cute.

One of my favorite indulgent drinks lately has been finding Diet cherry coke! I have only found it a few times in store but I love it!

If you haven’t noticed I love soothing things. Mainly I try to find things that does not have me doom scrolling constantly. I thought these were adorable and I am really excited to have them for when I just need to relax and wind down without being sucked into a book or a show.

Also the colored pencil set? The colors are so beautiful, it came with two trays of different shades of color. This is the first nice set I’ve bought for myself.

A new candle is a must. Give me all the pumpkin smells. I love it. Also this candle warming is such a game changer. I feel so much better about having candles going in the house since I’ve has this lamp. Defiantly recommend if you are a candle lover like me.

I wanted to add one more book in here, not only is the cover absolutely gorgeous but just in case you aren’t into fantasy type readings. I have this on my reading list for Fall and it sounds like it’s going to be a great one!

Jean and shacket season is upon us! I went to a consignment shop near where I live the other day and scored both of these. I’ve been on a hunt for a good jean jacket for so long and I swear old navy is always such a staple. My son plays hockey so I am especially excited to have both of these to wear over sweatshirts at rinks that aren’t frigid.

What are some of your Fall essentials? Pick up anything cute lately? Or any favorite activities you can’t wait for? Share with me!

I am a basic chick so of course I’m excited for my first pumpkin spice latte’, strolls around an orchard. It’s such a fun time of the year.

Wishing you all the best! Thanks for hanging out with me.

Guest Post- What Self Care Means To Me.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 30 Comments

I’m going to start this post with a bit of an understatement: the last year has been a tough one. Next week will see us meet the one year mark of when our lives all changed dramatically, and what a year it has been. Despite many of us spending more time at home, very few of us have been prioritising taking care of ourselves despite this playing a huge role in our general wellbeing. With parents having to take on the new role of a full-time teacher, key workers under extreme pressure and people struggling to gain a work/life balance now their homes have become offices…where is the time? Sometimes just making it through the day is a success story in itself but these additional stresses that have fallen into our lives only further prove the point that self-care is vital to a healthy mind.

There is still very much a culture where taking time to look after yourself can be seen as an unnecessary luxury but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In order to be the best version of yourself in work, life or relationships you need to feel like the best version of yourself. 

Often when you see the term ‘Self Care’ you think of face masks and massages but actually, the practices are endless and, since we’re not going to be able to get to a spa any time soon, it’s important to find other ways to bring you that same level of peace. Often, the kindest things you can do for yourself have nothing to do with pamper sessions (although I wouldn’t say no!) and everything to do with removing negativity from your life where you can. I’ve listed some of my favourites below.

My Favourite Self Care Methods 

  • Take 30 minutes a day to do something you love – Read that book, listen to a podcast in the bath, be creative…it doesn’t matter what it is, just make sure it’s something that makes you happy.
  • Social Media detox – Take a day away from your Social Media apps, the constant stream of news and other peoples polished lives is a lot and you often don’t realise the damage it’s doing until you take a break.
  • Review who you follow – Make sure the people you follow on social media are accounts and/or individuals that bring you joy or valuable information. Anyone else can and should be removed (or muted at the very least).
  • Move your body – I’m a huge advocate for exercise for your mind rather than your body but this doesn’t always have to be an intense workout. I love basic Yoga videos on YouTube, stretching with some relaxing music is really calming even if for 10 minutes.
  • Get some fresh air every day – This one is so important, especially for those that are working from home every day at the moment. Sometimes getting yourself outdoors if you don’t “need to” is harder than you think, but it’s a wonderful way of taking a moment to breathe.
  • Journal – Keeping emotions or stresses bottled up inside can only last so long. Talking to other people about these things is so important but if you don’t feel ready or able, writing in a journal is an excellent way to let some of those stresses or worries free.

And the most important and compulsory form of self-care is to be kind to yourself. Life isn’t easy even at the best of times and it’s made ten times harder if you let that negative voice in your head make its way to the front. We’re all just doing our best so make sure you are acknowledging your achievements no matter how small. I’ve said it before but sometimes just making it through the day is a win, so take a minute to say you smashed it!

Benefits of Self Care

  • Increased positive thinking
  • A reduction in anxiety
  • Finding outlets to relieve stress throughout the day can result in an improved sleep pattern
  • Taking time for yourself will give renewed focus, increasing productivity levels
  • Improved relationships
  • Learning how to recognise your real emotions/feelings.

Sometimes it feels easier said than done but you need to prioritise yourself. No matter the job, situation or environment you find yourself in, you can’t pour from an empty cup so eventually, something is going to have to give. Please don’t let it be your health.

Thank you so much Amanda and Marissa for having me on your blog and thanks to everybody for reading. If you would like to check out more of my posts you can find my blog here and Instagram here. 

Stacey

Making Time For Self-Care As A Busy Mom

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 43 Comments

Putting yourself last, I feel like that’s a mom mantra.

We are so busy taking care of our little ones that by the end of the day we barley have enough energy to make it under the covers. Which I know, because I am guilty of it myself.

Being a first time mom, I find myself trying to pack a million tasks into one day. Instead of sitting down and enjoying a simple hot cup of coffee during nap time I am running around switching out laundry, folding laundry.

Seriously though who else hates laundry!? By far a moms worst nightmare.

Vacuuming, picking up toys, emptying the dishwasher…

It’s like there is not enough hours in the day for some me-time and sometimes there really isn’t.

Trust me mama’s, you are not alone in this.

The thing is though, self-care isn’t a treat, it is a necessity.

We need it.

To be a better mom, to be a better partner, to be a better person.

These little ones have the power to drain us, but we need to have the power to take care of ourselves.

So luckily, with Mother’s Day coming up on Sunday I am here to give you some great self-care ideas that are sure to make you feel a little more refreshed.

Sleep In

Doesn’t it just make a HUGE difference? Sleep has such a big impact on your body and the way you feel, so for your well-being and mental health, get some extra sleep as much as you can.

Read A Book

Some of you who know me already probably could have guessed this would be on my self-care list. I love reading and I try everyday to sneak away to get a couple pages read in the book I am currently reading, which is, Where The Crawdads Sing and it is AMAZING.

Drink A HOT Cup Of Coffee Or Tea

Seems like such a simple task. For most moms this is probably a long ago wished for thing, but me being a new mom since my son is only 9 months old it’s still fresh for me. I miss a hot cup of coffee! I don’t like having to re-heat the same cup five times in the span of 30 min. So yes people, being able to sit on the couch with a hot cup of coffee or tea is most defiantly on my self-care list.

A Mini Spa Night

See if your partner will hold the fort down for bedtime routines. Run a hot bubble bath, put that new face mask on, moisturize your skin, paint your nails. You will feel like a million bucks after a night of pampering yourself.

Write In A Journal

You may have already figured this out, but I love writing. I try as much as I can to write down all my thoughts, all my worries, my happiness in journals or by blogging. It helps so much and it’s so relaxing to curl up on the couch or in bed and write your heart out.

Light A Candle Or Diffuse Essential Oils

So relaxing, and you know what? while you are at it turn on the Netflix or Hulu show you need to catch up on.

Take A Walk

During this crazy quarantine situation this has defiantly been one of my biggest self-care things I have done. It just refreshes your whole mindset and burns off nervous energy in these uncertain times.

The list could go on and on but the most important thing is to find something that helps you feel like yourself again and make time during the week to do it!

Being at home all the time right now, it is so needed and you know what?

We deserve it!

Now if you will excuse me, my self-care is going to start with a glass of white wine tonight!

Thanks for stopping by!