Work, transport, shopping, meals, laundry, homework, extra-curricular activities... Being a mother is definitely the challenge of the century (smile). To avoid losing yourself along the way and risking your mental health, it's essential to take time out for yourself to relieve the pressure of everyday life and recharge your batteries. As you know, at MotherStories, #selfcare is part of our mission. In this article, co-written with Valeria, coach and founder of Your Happy Living, we share our vision and some food for thought to help you find a life balance that makes you happy and fulfilled.

Taking time for yourself
It's a well-known fact that being a mother means taking care of everyone but yourself. That's all well and good, but if you're not careful and overstep your limits, there's a real risk that you'll blow your top. The repercussions? Unhappiness and tension within the couple, at work and in the family. You become irritable and edgy. At the same time, if you give everything to others, it's normal, isn't it? To feel good about yourself and your loved ones, it's essential to release the pressure and take some time for yourself.

Valeria's advice

It's important to plan your Me Time in advance and, above all, to write it down in your diary. If you've planned a sports session, sign up or pay for it in advance, so you'll be less tempted to cancel at the last minute. You can also plan to go with a friend to whom you'll be "indebted" and to whom you won't have to pay. to whom you'll be "indebted" and who you won't want to stand up. A Metime doesn't always have to be long, complicated or expensive. It can be accessible, quick and as simple as a bath, a walk in your neighborhood, a quiet latte on your terrace or in the local café.

Asking for help without feeling guilty
It's simply not possible (unless you're a robot) to be, at the same time, a devoted mother, a loving wife, an organized colleague, a good listener or a model daughter... This myth, founded by society and validated by certain beliefs, constantly confronts mothers with a terrible emotion called guilt! What if we stopped? You have to dare and learn to ask for help. Delegating certain everyday tasks should not be seen as a weakness, but as an opportunity to take a moment for yourself. Isn't it said that it takes a village to raise a child? Let's hear it...

Valeria's advice

The first step is to admit that you're not a superhero! So, like everyone else, you need to release the pressure and give yourself a break. There's only one solution: learn to delegate. Start by (re)organizing and (re)distributing certain daily tasks between your partner, your children or your (in)parents. Feel like going out? Call a guilt-free babysitter, easy peasy (smile).

Learning to let go
Have you ever heard of letting go? It's the concept of stopping trying to control everything and losing absolute control (yes, yes, it's possible). Dishes piled up in the sink? You'll do them tomorrow. Didn't have time to do the shopping? Eat leftovers from the day before. To establish a sense of letting go, it's important to learn to put things into perspective and step back from what's really important and what's less so. It's all a question of priorities.

Valeria's advice

Spontaneously, it's hard to let go in the moment, but letting go can be organized and thought through. One of my coaching tips is prioritization. List all the things you need to do and sort them from most to least important. You'll then realize that some tasks are indispensable and others much less so. Value your time.

Recharging your batteries
Taking time out for yourself isn't easy, but it's not impossible. And to keep the wheels turning, as they say, Mum needs to stay in good physical and mental health! You need to put your well-being back on the agenda. Yes, you're a mom, but you exist and count just as much as the other members of your family. So on your weekly To Do, just like household chores, schedule yourself some self-care moments. It doesn't matter whether you go to yoga, read a book on the sofa, get a massage or go for a drink with your girlfriends, but cultivate these moments and use them to rest and recharge your batteries.

Valeria's advice

Caught up in the whirlwind of everyday life, you unroll your to-do list without asking yourself how you're doing. Remember, you're the captain of the ship. To keep it from sinking, you need to lighten your mental load.