How I'm having a calm-mom summer
out with the chaos, in with slowing down
This summer, I’m focused on becoming the calmest, happiest version of myself as a mom, wife, daughter, friend, business owner, sister, etc. This means setting my priorities straight and taking inventory of what’s out and in for the summer in my life.
The mantra on REPEAT in my head this summer:
Slow down, slow down, slow down.
Sometimes moving quickly is literally built into our being and our subconscious brain. I will catch myself speed-cooking/eating/walking for no reason. I am practicing mindfulness and slowing down by focusing on small, practical changes I can implement in my life.
Outs
→ skipping a morning routine & jumping straight into work: this is a major no-no for my mental health and well-being. also, jumping straight into work first thing in the morning is a sure-fire way to make my brain feel like we’re in a chaotic state of fight or flight all day long.
→ excessive screentime (for both me and my 2-year-old!): if there’s one thing that effects my mental health, along with my sleep quality, excessive screentime would be it! obviously being on my phone is my job which complicates this one. but I will be the first person to set boundaries. for example, when I’m with my son, I am focused on him rather than trying to multi-task being on my phone.
→ scarfing down random food & calling it a meal: along with this one is standing while eating! when it’s time for lunch, we will be making ourselves a proper meal and sitting down to eat it at a healthy, relaxed pace. remember, we’re not in a hurry!
→ no work life balance: this has been out for awhile. I love my job but I know I have to put it away sometimes. this practice makes me a better, more relaxed and calmer mom!
Ins
→ early bedtime, early wakeups: I can’t expect myself to feel calm and Zen without a great night of sleep. I’m not hard on myself when an early bedtime doesn’t happen. instead, I focus on doing everything in my power and control to set myself up for success for an early bedtime and great night of sleep.
→ more positive self-talk: for me, this looks like affirming myself that I’m doing a good job, I’m doing the best I can as a mom, I’m making progress, etc. even just these simple statements help to put my brain at ease, so I don’t feel like I’m constantly not doing “enough.”
→ saying no: sometimes taking care of yourself means saying no to opportunities that might otherwise sound good but will put you over the edge. you don’t always have to say yes — this goes for anything!!! social outings, work opportunities, travel.
→ saying yes: on the opposite end of the spectrum, I’m *also* focused on saying yes to things that get me excited. part of having a “calm mom summer” means making decisions and saying yes or no so I can just move on! we don’t need to spend days overanalyzing.
I hope this list has you feeling inspired to create your own list of “summer in’s and out’s” so you can become your best, most calm self this summer!