6 Ways to Self Care for Moms

Self care for moms Jen Haugen

Moms – do you agree that the hardest part of anything new is taking the first step? Or is it? 

Less than a month ago, I took my first step. I had been contemplating this idea of exercise, especially after I received a Fit Bit for Christmas. My kids were pulling in 10,000 to 15,000 steps a day. Where was I? 3,000. So much got in the way in my busy head. A sit down job, lots of driving for various activities after school/work, being a busy mom, making meals and taking care of everyone else’s needs. How could I possibly fit in time for me?

Add that to my other list of excuses:

  • No time
  • Lack of confidence in my ability
  • I thought I might collapse and die due to my occasional (and totally normal) pre-ventricular contractions that send my heart to flutter (despite being educated by my doctor that it wouldn’t happen – my imagination knows more, right?)
  • I’m so out of shape
  • It’s too cold
  • It’s too hot
  • I don’t have anyone to run with

But there was something about that day that made me choose differently. Maybe it was because of the nice weather, or maybe it was the time alone I was drawn to, maybe it was a combination of both.

Self care for moms Jen Haugen

My intention was to go out on a walk after dinner while my kids were doing homework. I put on comfy clothes, I tied up my shoes and opened the front door to head to the walking path.

I started walking fairly quickly. But then I thought, “Could I run?” I took the first few steps to begin. Sure they were small running steps, but I was running! “Could I get to the last house on our block?” That was my challenge, and that house came, and I pushed myself again – to get to the end of the path, where it would be approximately a ½ mile.

I made it to the end of the path without collapsing, I made the time for it, I felt great (of course, winded), the weather was perfect, and I did it by myself! (Think of the image of me with my hands in the air!)

But then I remembered something. A dream I had about 18 months ago. A dream so vivid and filled with wonder. In the dream, I was walking on my way somewhere and for some reason began to run. I was running through an unknown busy area with many people were around. Yet, I knew none of them. I had no destination. I was just running. That is until someone came along side of me. He had shoulder-length, brown hair, with twinkling eyes, and a bright smile. He said, “Run with me.” So, I did. I ran and ran. I kept following where he was going. When I woke up, I was so happy and scared at the same time. All because I realized I did know the person running along side of me in the dream. It was Jesus.

That dream propelled me to believe I could run this ½ mile too. Because I knew Jesus was running with me. I did something I never thought I could do – run. It had literally been since 1998 since I last took those running steps in a jogging class at college. A class where I vowed to never run again.

But this time it was a spiritual experience.

And that experience has kept me coming back for more. Four weeks into this new step of faith, I pushed farther than I thought I could. I just ran a whole mile. That’s 18 minutes of jogging, people!

I NEVER thought I could do that. Never.

I want to ensure you that I’m NOT telling you this story because I want you to literally run.

Moms, you might be wondering why I’m telling you this story.  I want you to run your self-care race. Take your first step in whatever that may be. And I want you to know that Jesus is running that self-care race with you. Find your spiritual experience. Take time for yourself. You won’t regret it and it may even boost your confidence to take a bigger step of something else you’ve always wanted to do. I believe in you!

Ready for a FREE downloadable? 

I’ve put together six ways to self care for moms, ideas for moms to get inspired to create 20 minutes of “mom-time” to become the best they can be.  Download your copy of 6 Ways to Self Care for Moms here.

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