This Dress (Marea – coming soon!)
I just came home from a girls trip and it is so amazing how even just a little time away from your daily life can bring in so much clarity with what you need to be the best version of yourself. Yesterday when I came home and after the kids went to bed I pulled out a note pad and wrote down some daily rituals that I practice for self-care. This list is a really good place for me to see and keep score of things I know I can do when life feels crazy. They are things I aim for, they don’t all happen everyday, but when I’m in this good flow, I’m happier, more balanced, and a nicer mom and wife!
1. Wake up between 6 – 7
it is ideal for me to wake up between 6-7, before my kids. This is time I can either use to have some quiet alone time with a cup of coffee, write a blog post, workout, take a walk to the beach, garden when the weather is nice, etc… It’s ABSOLUTELY AMAZING what this does for my day.
2. Clean Kitchen At Night
This one is a non-negotiable. Before settling down for the night, the kitchen needs to be spotless, homework away, toys away, floors swept, dishwasher running, etc… I love the feeling of clean counters, I love shutting off the lights at night to a clean space. Then, when I wake up, I can get a coffee and truly be in peace because I’m not looking at a mess!
3. Pick up My Kids from School
I aim to do this every day. Sometimes when I’m working late it doesn’t happen but I really enjoy the walk to school to get them, and then chatting with the other moms while they play in the playground with their friends. It’s my time to socialize during the day, and just keep a good pulse on the goings on at school and seeing them play with their friends. We live about .15 miles from school so it’s a short walk but the fresh air is always nice!
4. Move 30 minutes a day
This is something I’m always working towards. I love when I get a workout in, in the morning, because it just sets my body and mind up for a positive start. I usually go upstairs to our third floor where the MYX Fitness bike is and either do a ride or a strength workout. I’m REALLY looking forward to warmer temps so that I can move my workouts outside! I’d like to pick up running again.
5. Play Tennis
I was in such a good groove of playing tennis with my friends for an hour a week!! Then winter came and work just got busy so I’ve been sitting it out, but we played while we were away and I just love it so much so I’m going to try and get back into it! We play on Tuesdays at lunch and have an instructor who is great.
6. Write Blog Posts
Yes, blog posts like these! They are super cathartic for me, I love writing, and it helps me organize my feelings and thoughts. It’s the whole reason I started Pure Joy Home, and when I write, it brings me back to center. I know they aren’t the most widely consumed form of content, but even if it’s just for me, it’s a good enough reason!
7. Meal Plan
Meal planning is SO, SO helpful for me! Dinner is one of the first things I think about when I wake up, “what am I going to make for dinner tonight? Between the sports practices, what time does it need to be done by?”. If I have a plan, the groceries can be ordered, the meal can be prepped, everyone can be fed, and everyone will be happy. I usually make our go-to’s which you can find in the Recipes section of the blog, or I’ll go on pinterest or instagram to get inspired.
8. Online Grocery Shop
After learning how to shop online for groceries, I make stopping at the store a last resort. I use Shipt. Yes, you get a bad apple here and there, but I’ll take it to save me the trip to the store. I like to order on the weekends so we are prepped for the week. Snacks, dinner ingredients, lunch stuff for the kids, snacks … I place huge orders and they usually last us the week. If I need anything else, I just shipt it over and it gets there in a couple hours.
9. Kids in Bed by 8
We started a new bedtime routine where the kids are showered and teeth brushed by 7-7:30 on nights we don’t have sports. Having them in bed by 8 is a GAME CHANGER for our nights. I’m exhausted by 8, and my parenting skills are diminishing by the minute at that point 🤣 This way, Brian and I can enjoy a show or whatever in PEACE.
10. ME in bed in the 9’s-10’s
I am so much better when I get into bed between 9-10. I need my sleep, and there is no better way to wake up then refreshed, period. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and so if I have that buffer of extra sleep I’m catching on the early side, I’m in better shape.
I could go on and on with more, drinking lots of water, taking my supplements, etc… but I wanted to nail it down to 10 and these are my most crucial right now!
