Sometimes it is hard to be the joyful mum you thought you would be.
It is not because you don’t want to, it is just that some days are harder than others. So here are 5 habits you can start to do today.
1. Wake up earlier than the children
I know waking up early is not for everyone, and I am not expecting everyone to wake up at 5am each morning. But even if you can wake up 10 minutes before the children, you feel like you are ahead of the game rather than constantly playing catch up.
You can take a few minutes to pray, meditate and recentre. Maybe get a shower, wash your face, have a hot drink.
2. Plan quiet time into your day
The days can be hectic at the best of times. When you find yourself running around for the whole day taking a moment to pause and ground yourself is important.
Plan a time that you can sit still and calm your nerves, slow down and recharge for the rest of the day.
You can plan this into your daily rhythms. For example, after lunch the children will have quiet time and I will sit down with a book on the sofa for 15 minutes.
3. They learn the art of saying no, so they can say yes
Sometimes you have to learn to say no, so you can have time to do the things you love with the people you love.
I am not saying to stop helping others, on the contrary, I believe it is important to be there for others and help others.
I also think it is important to be able to make space for yourself. By doing things that will help you to be joyful, you can then pass that joy around.
4. Take time to be grateful, pray and meditate
Taking time to focus on what you have, your blessings and joys can make a big difference.
Taking time to write down what you are grateful for, in a journal or on your phone. It may be difficult to begin with, but practice makes progress.
5. Do one thing that makes you smiles each day
This can be anything. What do you enjoy doing? Reading a book? Dancing around the house? Listening to music? Going for a run. Aim to do something once a day.
If you are unsure what you enjoy doing, I’ve got you. I made a PDF that will help you find the things you love again.
Other things joyful mums remember
Happiness is an emotion
Not every day you will feel happy, because happiness is not the only emotion a human feels. It is important not to beat yourself up when you are having a hard day. Everyone has a hard day sometimes. The aim is not to allow your external situation and circumstances to completely take over your mood and internal feelings.
Easier said than done… I know. Here are 3 ways to ground yourself when you are having a hard day.