7 Ways To Make Motherhood Work For You

Deborah Roth says:

Time is the most valuable commodity and we all get the same 24 hours in a day. It's amazing how differently we all prioritize those precious hours, though. Being the giving, nurturing creatures that we are, it's easy to forget about ourselves.

I've worked with hundreds of overwhelmed, under-nurtured moms, helping them to reclaim time, energy and space for themselves—to take care of their bodies, stimulate their minds, soothe their hearts, and nourish their souls. When I introduce the idea of "radical self care," I get a range of reactions: dismissive ("Right… who has time for that?!"), wistful ("That's nice, but I can’t afford to."), guilty ("Oh, I couldn't possibly…"). Do any of them resonate with you? Or maybe you've got a particularly creative excuse for short-changing yourself. Motherhood & Love: How To Keep Your Main Relationships Fulfilling

In my book, Circle of One: The Art of Becoming a SELF-Centered Woman, I outline ways that women can rediscover and support their inner cores of wholeness (what I call the "circle of one") through a practice of "sacred SELF-centeredness." Because if we don't place ourselves at the center of our lives, we become increasingly scattered, ungrounded, and miserable—our circle of one is just a black hole. And ultimately, if we don't create space for self care, we won't be whole enough to take care of those we love. In the words of a great (probably female) sage, "If mama ain't happy, nobody's happy!" ONE DAY Movie Contest: Tell A Love Story, Win Free Flicks & More

I suspect you'd have no problem coming up with a list of luscious ideas if you had a full, kid-free day to indulge yourself. So what I'd like to do is to offer a few quick and easy tips for re-charging yourself in the midst of your busy days, even when the kids are around…maybe especially when they are! The key is to think of your home as sacred space. Juggling Motherhood, Career & Love: Put Yourself First

• Rather than having the TV on continually in the background, try some quiet music. You can find countless studies on the healing power of music—it stimulates the creative, intuitive right side of our brains, our heartbeats sync with slower, mellow tempos and can it lift our spirits when words fail.
• Light a candle … even if it's high on a shelf, safe from little hands, a softly glowing flame shifts the energy in a room and sooths the soul—both yours and your kids.
• Aromatherapy does the same thing—scent is the most evocative of all of our senses, directly stimulating our limbic system which governs our memories and emotions. Bergamot, chamomile, and clary sage are all common essential oils to engender feelings of peace and relaxation.

For lots more tips on taking care of yourself, click here.