By Lakota

March 3rd, 2016

Thank you to Organic Skin USA for providing me product in exchange for review purposes. All opinions belong to me. 

I, as some of you may know, am a mommy of two under the age of 5 years old. Being a mommy is the most rewarding but draining job I have ever taken on. There are highs and there are lows beyond what you’d ever expect in mommy-hood. Did I ever think I would need to utter the sentence “Well he wanted to flush his own poop, it look like you really hurt his feelings.” I can assure you I did not anticipate these types of disagreements. On the other hand did I ever know that I could love someone as deeply, and unselfishly as I do my own children? Not in a million years did I understand the power of a mothers love before having kids. That beautiful unselfish love can sometimes get us mommies into trouble. Often times we find ourselves forgetting about ourselves, the problem with that is you cannot pour from an empty cup. You must fill yourself up before being able to truly offer to anyone else. When I’m strung out and too irritated with the kids, is when I often realize that I’m empty, I’m fighting with them because I need my cup to be filled before I can happily offer them everything. Below I’ll Share with you my 5 ways that I recharge my mommy hood (or fill my cup so that this beautiful life of mommy hood indeed feels like the gift that it is!)

mommyhood2

images

Tip 1: Clean out the grogginess 

Get up, brush your teeth, do your hair, well lets not get too crazy, but run a brush through your hair. This is the first opportunity you have to start your day off right, fresh, energized, and ready! A nice tingly mint sensation in your mouth, fresh breath to greet others with (whether you will see anyone besides your kids or not that day) and the feeling that your in control of your day! Sure, could I  wake up slug around to the couch to sit on my phone while the kids watch cartoons? Of course I can, and some days I do, but I never feel good about it. I look back and think man I wish I wouldn’t have let that opportunity slip, my day could have been better, if I would have decided to have a good day!

maxresdefault

Tip 2: Prepare yourself for your best day 

Get dressed! Now this doesn’t mean change from your sleeping pajamas to your day pajamas. This used to be my routine, wake and put on frumpy clothes and pay no attention to myself or my appearance, barely even look in the mirror for a whole day. I cleaned out my closet and only allowed myself to keep clothes that made me feel good about myself, my body, and my personality. I did keep two pairs of pajamas but don’t allow myself to wear them during the day. Now let me detail this statement with being a person who is very comfortable in their skin, no need for makeup and my husband has never once complained about the frump that used to be. The mindset that getting dressed for the day gives me, is a gift in itself, I’m ready, I feel good and I look good. The mindset that I alone decided and took action for this day to be great feels good.

smiling-young-woman-was-jogging-with-a-high-legged-technique-e1430133662912-725x544

Tip 3: Challenge yourself

I know what you’re thinking “Challenge myself? Why, my kids have that covered.” You are right, your environment, your kids, your spouse all challenge you but those are hard to remember and feel victorious about nor are any of those challenges in your control. What I mean is you challenge you, pick out something anything you’d like to get done and do it! Challenge yourself with anything from a sketch a day, a 5 minute workout, something you want to get better at, anything that pushes you out of your comfort zone. For me the challenge I chose is working out, I didn’t like or want to be physical at all and I had every excuse as to why I shouldn’t. Once I started working out and figured out what worked for me and what motivated me I felt great. Before recharging my mommy hood I knew I wanted to be more fit and more muscular and while I never set the goal to workout religiously I still felt like I was failing myself by not taking action. Working out is still a daily struggle but when I do it, I feel amazing! After all If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you!

images-2

Tip 4: Nourish yourself

Healthy whole foods is such an important key to life. The better you eat the better you feel. Now if you have the cash to be able to afford pre-made whole food meals without yucky ingredients this can be an option for health. The idea I’d like to introduce you to is you nourishing you. There is a certain pride and sense of accomplishment when you cook yourself a healthy tasty meal. My favorite right now is a hot cabbage, chicken and carrot salad! Get familiar with foods and ingredients, throw together your own healthy satisfying recipe. This idea of you nourishing you again is to help get you into the mindset that you have taken care of you and can now offer more of yourself to your kids without feeling drained. I know that not everyone is a stay at home mom and not everyone has a ton of time in their very busy schedules but cooking just only one healthy meal for yourself a day will add up in the long run!

exfoliate

Tip 5: Treat yourself 

This is easily the most important tip I can give you. You’ve worked hard to fill that beautiful cup all day long, you’ve challenged yourself and fought for you. Why not top that overflowing cup with some whip cream?! Now more realistically I mean do something that makes you feel special and taken care of. For me I take a nice long shower after working out, I exfoliate and shave my legs (an action mostly unheard of in mommy hood). I might even deep condition my hair while in the shower! After I get out if I’m feeling like I need a really big pick me up I will use a fake tanner to give me some color for that extra perk! I really like EcoTan’s Invisible Tan, this is an Australian branded all natural organic fake tanner. Not only can I treat myself with a sun kissed glow in the frigid winter but I can do so safely without fearing the horrible ingredients I’m putting on my skin! Now, considering I’m so pale and actually, according to a test done about a week ago, very vitamin d deficient I experienced zero orangey-ness from this only a perfectly tinted brown. It was hard to pic up in pictures but my husband noticed the color change and commented each time I’ve applied! Invisible Tan is a special formula that won’t stain your clothes or bed sheets while you sleep! It is a very quick and easy way to get an extra pick me up as you apply it after the shower and let it develop while sleeping. You can get it and many other high quality organic skin products from Organicskinusa.com. Treating yourself can be one of the most fun and fulfilling parts of taking care of you!

ecotan

So there you have it my 5 tips to revamp your mommy-hood. They say if you can change your perspective you can change the world, sometimes changing perspective takes actual action! You are doing the most important work of your life, in mommy-hood. Most of the tasks within mommy-hood go un-thanked, un-noticed, and under appreciated at least in the early years, so don’t forget to take time to cherish the work you do, why you do it and most importantly take care of you, because you work hard!

 

Lakota Signature

productreviewdisclaimer8

 

 

This post currently has 14 responses.

  • Sarah L

    Yes, you need to find things that make you feel better about yourself.

  • Dandi D

    These are such good tips–it’s so important to stay mentally and physically healthy for your kids.

  • Lauryn R

    These are great tips! I have 3 under 6 and it can definitely be very draining! A mom will drive herself to insanity if she doesn’t take a little time for herself every now and then.

  • Chelsey Bennett

    Your “old self” perfectly describes current me. Hahaha. Good tips though. I know I always feel better when I actually brush my teeth and get ready right away in the morning. And I’m known for my glow-in-the-dark white skin, so maybe I’ll give the Invisible Tan a try too. 🙂

  • kathy downey

    Mentally and physically health are so important,great tips.thanks

  • Holly B

    Great tips. All important things to keep in mind. It’s hard for me to take time for myself, but in the end we all need to.

  • Jessica Cox

    Great Read its true that some days my hair does not see a hair brush , and I think you should always take time for your self I read almost every night to help distress.

  • Amber Ludwig

    Haha, night pajamas and day pajamas!! Totally guilty!! I do feel way better when I dress nice but if Im not leaving my house I just dont! These are amazing tips!! I love the idea of treating myself 🙂 I don’t do that enough…. or ever really!

  • Sandy Cain

    I tially agree that treat yourself is the most important. Sometimes we just get SO caught up in being the mommy, we forget we are women, too. A “spa moment” here and there can do wonders for your self-esteem, I’ve discovered. I’ll have to check out the EcoTan tanner – I’m pale as a ghost right now!

  • Deb E

    I’m a little biased since I worked in the nutrition field, but I think making sure Mom is getting nutrition meals is so important. It’s easy to grab something since time is short, but it helps refuel you and keep our immune system running smoothly too.

  • gala

    Great tips. I absolutely agree that without “recharging” myself as a mom and a woman not only me but my family would suffer. I’d only add one more tip — some time to be alone during the day

  • Renee Rousseau

    Great suggestions for Moms who usually put themselves last. A happy Mom is a happy family!

  • Lisa W

    Such great things I agree with them all completely! I feel alot better when I do thembut sometimes there isn’t enough time in the day hahaha I say that semi. Jokingly 🙂

  • Karen Propes

    Great tips, you need to be able to look in the mirror and feel good about what you see. Even if it’s just a glance because you’re so busy. You can also feed the kids and have dinner with your husband after they are asleep. That really gives you a feeling of accomplishment that the kids are asleep and the closeness you will have with your husband will put a lot of check marks on your chart. Thanks for sharing.

Leave a Reply

*
* Your email address will not be published.