Moms Vibe:
By Krystle J. Bailey
Every Mother’s Day, I tend to write a column about how every day should be a celebration of motherhood and that we need to take care of ourselves all year round. As the weeks and months get busy with school activities, traveling, work mode, sick kids, and so on, it’s so easy to forget to prioritize ourselves.
The kids are back in school and cruising right along, and the holidays have begun knocking on our door. Now is a perfect time to take a moment to recalibrate. Before the craziness of the season ensues, take a mom-minute. Ask yourself what you need to refuel and recharge so that you can continue to be the superhero that you are this holiday season. Of course, there’s nothing like a spa day or pedicure to get yourself in the right headspace, but here are a few other suggestions to help you reconnect with yourself and fill your cup.
Buy the basics
When was the last time you took inventory of your underwear drawer or checked to make sure your bras were the right size? Take an afternoon to go through the basics and toss those you never wear, then spoil yourself with some new pieces that make you feel beautiful and confident.
Update your playlist
Music is the spice of life. Personally, music is how I get through everything in life, from cleaning the kitchen to navigating heartache. Throughout the year, I add music to random lists without much organization and find myself making mental notes to clean up and organize my music. Take a couple of hours to jump into your favorite tunes, feel some vibes you haven’t felt in a while, and organize your music to cater to your different moods. While you’re there, discover some new artists and songs you haven’t heard yet.
Purge the junk
It may not seem like self-care, but it’s true what they say about stagnant energy and how a good purge can change the entire dynamic in a home. Things get busy, junk drawers overflow, closet floors end up with piles of clothes that don’t fit, and toy rooms burst at the seams with toys they don’t play with anymore. Put on one of those new playlists and grab some trash bags. The lightness in the air is palpable after a good clean, and that carries over into every other aspect of our lives.
Get into nature
The weather has cooled off just enough to enjoy a nice hike or a stroll around the Egg Harbor Township Nature Reserve. Visit Batsto, take a walk on a local bike path, or take a ride down to your favorite beach before it gets too cold. For a little extra grounding, ditch your shoes and get your toes into the dirt and connected with the earth to recenter the soul. Nature is a beautiful opportunity to put your phone down, look around, and breath in a big breath of fresh air.
Tend to the plants
Life gets busy, and we forget to water, prune, and re-pot our houseplants on time. Before the seasons change, take some time to reconnect with those green house guests that you bought with love and good intentions. Spend a little time getting your hands dirty, buying some new pots, and nurturing your leafy babies.
However you choose to recenter, I just hope that you’ll take a moment to yourself before the buzz of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and then before you know it – New Year’s Eve. As the saying goes, “time waits for no one,” so make a little time for yourself this week! You deserve it, and you certainly do not have to wait until Mother’s Day to celebrate all that you are, all that you do, and everything you bring to the table each and every day for your family.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
