New Year Self-Care To-Do List of Highly Successful Moms

New Year Self-Care To-Do List of Highly Successful Moms

Yoko, Mitera Founder

Hi, mamas.

In 2011, Michelle Obama told Barbara Walters that she makes herself her first priority. When asked if that could be seen as selfish, she said: “It’s practical… a lot of times we slip pretty low on our own priority list because we’re so busy caring for everyone else. One of the things that I want to model for my girls is investing in themselves as much as they invest in others." 

We’re now well into the new year with January almost ending and we’d like to take some time to talk about a “necessary human regulatory function” AKA self-care that as moms we often put on the back burner.

To kick off our self-care campaign, our founder, Yoko shares what was on her self-care list for January. We’ve also interviewed some of our favorite mamas, Brittany, Neha and Deepika who share their perspectives on how they find time to give themselves a little bit of love and attention. 

We’d love for you to be part of our self-care campaign. Join our self-care conversation by sharing your self-care tips with us on Instagram & enter to WIN a *FREE Mitera Le Diaper bag* 

Yoko's Self-Care List:

It's Yoko. Mitera's Founder. It's January and I wanted to share with you what my month of January - the month I picked to check off a laundry list of 'self-care' stuff that I have been putting off - really looked like. Spoiler alert for what might be TMI.

If you are expecting that I went on a week-long yoga retreat or went for a relaxing massage, I thank you for putting me on kind of a pedestal in your imagination. I have to be honest here - my 'self-care' to-do list is kind of boring but I am sure a lot of moms can relate to my story so I wanted to share.

First on my list was to finally go and see a physical therapist to address a shoulder injury sustained over a year and half ago. It's been hurting for that long but I have been blushing it off like "Oh, I will just stretch it" or "It will get better if I go swimming". But it never did and it's been bothering me a lot to the point where it was hard for me to put on my clothes. Since the last time I have seen my physical therapist (well, like a year and half ago), she became a mom. So, we got to talking about some of the profound physical changes that happen during and after childbirth. I confined in her, jokingly that I sometimes still leak when I sneeze or laugh out loud. Then she looked at me straight in the eyes and told me immediately to go and see her colleague next door who specializes in 'pelvic floor strengthening".  I would probably never have made time for it, had she not gently forced me into it so I am glad I did. Since this experience was kind of hilarious in its own way, I will have to dedicate a separate post to share my experience working with a pelvic floor expert.

My next self-care to-do item was to go to the dentist for a check-up and cleaning. As a mom, I did what any mom would do - I took both of my kids to the dentist, too, and killed 3 birds with one appointment.

My third self-care to-do item was to visit my general practitioner. After going through a comprehensive list of questions to assess my medical history and lifestyle, we are currently waiting for the results of all the blood tests.

Well, January ends tomorrow but I am not done with my list. Still on my to-do list are: getting a haircut (have not done it in more than a year...), and an annual GYNO visit (which has not been annual). So, for me, even though there was no spa, massage or yoga in the month of self-care, I feel I have done well in checking some important long overdue to-do items off my list.

Now onto how other #MiteraMamas take care of themselves.


New Year Self-Care To-Do List of Highly Successful Moms

Brittany Marcin, Broadway dancer, former Rockette and mama of 2 year old boy, Essex, shares her self-care tips.

How do you take care of yourself outside of motherhood?

I always make sure I take "me" time every day. It could be a 5 minute walk around the block, a 10 minute meditation, or an hour long workout. I find that those little moments to recharge really do make me more present as a Mom. I also have stopped always saying yes to every opportunity job wise or even socially. I make sure my family won't suffer and then I go from there. I think the power of no is a wonderful thing I have really learned since my son Essex was born.

How do you fit self-care into your busy schedule?

I think for me it comes down to scheduling. If I'm not working on a show, I'm always home with my son. If it means I have to get up at 5am to make a yoga or fitness class, I make it happen. The waking up can be brutal but I always feel better after. That being said, there are the days when schedules go bust. On those days my self-care routine can be as simple as a glass of wine or online shopping after putting my son to bed. We have to find those small moments as parents.

New Year Self-Care To-Do List of Highly Successful Moms

Photos by Mallory Aussem- Evergold Photography

What is the biggest challenge in maintaining your self-care routine?

The biggest challenge is definitely staying on track. Over the holidays when we were out of our schedule, it became harder to stick to the things that were important to me. However, if I let my self-care priorities go, it has an immediate trickle down effect on my family.

What is your self-care goal for the New Year?

My self-care goal is to meditate more often. Also to choose happiness and surround myself with people that place more positivity and love into my life. Since becoming a Mom, I really cherish my friends that have grown with me through this journey.


New Year Self-Care To-Do List of Highly Successful Moms

Neha with her son, Bodie. Photo by Marissa Zackowitz Photography

Neha Ruch, Writer and Founder of Mother Untitled and mama of 2 year old boy, Bodie, shares her self-care tips.

New Year Self-Care To-Do List of Highly Successful Moms

Photo by Marissa Zackowitz Photography

How do you take care of yourself outside of motherhood?

Care comes in so many different shapes and sizes. I was going to lead with cultivating friendships and investing in my marriage to allow myself to feel cared for and connected alongside motherhood.  But specific to investing purely in myself, building Mother Untitled was hugely game-changing in my experience. It allowed me to write and think and learn in ways I hadn’t had the motivation or freedom to do before I took a pause to raise my son, Bodie.  The site represents what it means to make space for motherhood and in doing so, more room for yourself so it pushes me to be hyper-observant of what allows me to be my best self and in turn, a better mother and wife.   

How do you fit self-care into your busy schedule?

I have a wonderful nanny who comes in two days a week and on Thursday evenings for a standing date night.  Those two days a week are a bit of tug of war between personal care and work. I do try and be disciplined and use the first hour of each of those days to do family admin items before going to the Soho House to meet friends and crank through editorial calendaring or meetings, but I simultaneously try to listen to what my body needs.  If my back is feeling stiff, I’ll prioritize a half hour massage on Monday or Tuesday before I head to work.

On my days that I am home with Bodie, I use little moments to take extra care. I will take 5 extra minutes before I leave my room to stretch and have a tall glass of hot water. It sounds a bit over the top but I'm a big fan of aromatherapy in the shower to make the most of that time - sometimes I just put a few drops of eucalyptus on the floor or I use this line of cleansers and scrubs that have aroma notes like turmeric and rosemary. When I go through my skincare routine, I try and bring awareness to what I’m doing.  Every element of my skin care routine is quite thoughtful, and I love the lines I use - Joanna Vargas, Tata Harper, and Herbivore.  Each of the products I choose feels intentional and filled with good energy, so I’m less apt to rush through the motions and instead think more about how lucky I am to be able to care for myself in this way. Once or twice a week, I’ll take a really good nap.  Sleep is so restorative and allowing myself to slip under the covers during Bodie’s rest feels indulgent and kind to me.  The playroom mess can wait.

What is the biggest challenge in maintaining your self-care routine?

On weekends and holidays, I find I struggle most with making time for myself.  I always wanted to be a mother but even more than that, I wanted to create a family and so having my husband home and being the three of us feels so special, I’m not apt to step away from it.  We tend to plan activities together, and I find I am usually the one getting both Bodie and me ready to go. It’s something my husband pointed out, and he is the biggest advocate for putting myself first. I try to be conscious of carving out an hour or two out of each day to do things like catching up on articles I've flagged from earlier in the week or meeting a girlfriend for tea and a walk.  

What is your self-care goal for the New Year?

I started this at the end of last year and hope to maintain a 3 times/week exercise cadence. If you were to ask me what I’m doing, it’s nothing fancy - likely the elliptical and weights in the gym. More recently, I'm trying a Vinyasa yoga class at Y7 studio around the corner and getting back into Core Pilates.  I want to get back in the flow of making time to move my body.  I landed on three times because motherhood and creative work and relationships take time and so making small incremental steps to reclaiming routines and rhythms feels more workable in the context of today.   


New Year Self-Care To-Do List of Highly Successful Moms

Deepika with her lovely family

Dr. Deepika Chopra, Optimism Doctor and mama of 7 month old boy, Jag, shares her self-care tips.

How do you take care of yourself outside of motherhood and fit self-care into your busy schedule?

New Year Self-Care To-Do List of Highly Successful Moms

Deepika & her son Jag

Haha, I actually realized quite recently, although self-care is such a big part of what I teach my clients, I really have not been good at this at all…between breastfeeding, making organic purees of vegetables and fruits, changing diapers, play time, nap time and getting back to work, self-care has somewhat gone out the window!

I feel that every week there is a new challenge in my motherhood experience… I am 7 months in and I finally feel like I can say I am good mom, but, these past few weeks I am starting to acknowledge that I am not so balanced in my other relationships, and that includes with myself! This has been the hardest part for me to navigate through. I barely have enough bandwidth for anyone other than my son, let alone to care for myself--and so this has really been an intention of mine for this New Year!

I have started to take some baby steps...I took some of my own advice that I give to my clients and made a list of things I really enjoy (this is not just a list of errands or things I have to do like go to the dentist- although those are just as hard to fit in to the week!) but, things that make me truly happy and give me joy, even if it’s just for a few moments. And my new goal is to try to do at least one of them a day. These can be small, for example today I took 10 extra minutes before my shower to stay in my towel and sing and dance to a song I love while putting on a face mask I have been meaning to try!

What is the biggest challenge in maintaining your self-care routine?

Well, I have realized I quite literally and figuratively have to create the time - sometimes out of thin air, to care for myself. I have learned I cannot continue to give from an empty tank and us women have a real natural ability to test this for ourselves or to be expected to test this by others but, it’s just not sustainable or optimal. I think as a new mom, navigating through this life-altering, magical but exhausting process, the hardest thing I deal with is mindfully having to quiet the guilt that comes up when I have a desire to do something for myself. I have been working on reframing this as necessary and actually good for my son, because the happier and healthier I am, the more I can give to him. And I hope to get to the point where I can find sincere belief in the idea that it’s wonderful to do something just for myself without the intention of it having to be for anyone else at all.

What is your self-care goal for the New Year?

Aside from what I mentioned above… being more gentle and kind towards myself and finding ways to mother myself as I do with my son and the other close relationships in my life. Because hey, mothers need mothering the most! Short daily meditations & visual imagery exercises are super imperative to my self-care. Also getting an aromatherapy massage every few weeks helps me to feel relaxed and grounded. These are definitely on top of my New Year goals list!
 

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January 31, 2018 — Mitera Collection