What Wellness Actually Means When You’re a Mom

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There is a conversation about wellness and motherhood that needs to be had, so I’m going there today.

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What Wellness Actually Means When You’re a Mom

Like I mentioned above, there is a need in the motherhood community to have a deeper conversation about what wellness actually means whenever you’re a mom. Right? I can’t be alone in this struggle. I feel like self care is something that I’ve spoke about an awful lot in our community, because motherhood is so exhausting and if we don’t take any time for ourselves we will literally crumble. Believe me, I preach it and believe these self care strategies, too. However, I’m also very down to Earth about the fact that it also means different things at different points in your life and day and we all need to understand that, too.

The other day I ran quickly to the bathroom to *try* to pee alone and of course both Blake and Oliver came running after me. I’ve heard that dogs choose one owner to follow everywhere and Oliver chose me. I love both of the “babies” dearly, but sometimes a mama just wants to pee alone. So I reached up and locked the door and realized that in that moment, that action was my self-care. It was my wellness that morning by giving me a few minutes to shut out everything else and just breathe. And of course, pee.

That is what wellness looks like when you’re a mom.

I also believe that wellness is a choice. It’s choosing to do something good for ourselves to save us from possibly having a meltdown later on in the day. Toddlers have tantrums because they can’t communicate the way they want to with us and get frustrated and adults can have those same feelings, just stemmed from different things.

We are human. We are not perfect. But we do need to make better choices for ourselves.

I almost feel that since this whole self-care revolution has taken over that there is an expectation for moms to be better taking care of ourselves. The expectation seems to revolve around things like hiring a housekeeper if we can’t keep up with cleaning or having a standing manicure appointment at our local nail salon. The list goes on and on and while those are all wonderful things, I feel like wellness really is about going back to the basics.

Wellness is handing your toddler the tablet so you can take 5.

Wellness is saying no whenever you aren’t able to be room mom this year.

Wellness if putting the work aside and giggling with your kids.

Wellness is locking that bathroom door.

Wellness is putting your kids to bed early and having a Netflix and chill night with your partner.

Wellness is putting makeup on in the morning because it makes you feel good.

Wellness is hitting up that yoga class you’ve been dying to try.

Wellness is putting healthy food into your body.

I know that healthy eating doesn’t always happen all day, everyday, but my short cut with this is by having Health Warrior bars handy. This fall, we are all about the Maple Sea Salt Pumpkin Seed bars! They are literally just honey, spices and one of the best plant-based sources of protein on the planet, pumpkin seeds – some seriously simple ingredients with really big taste! And bonus: they are now USDA Certified Organic!

Meal prepping and portioning out snacks isn’t always an option. It’s just not, as much as I wish it was. Having these delicious bars always within my grasp fills my body with exactly what it needs – especially during moments when I get so busy that I forget to eat.