My Self-Care Experiment
Hey there. Do you ever feel like you’re just not good at taking care of yourself? Me too.
If you know me, you know that the last couple of years have been a lot. Postpartum depression. The exhaustion of wrangling a toddler while pregnant. The emotions of unplanned back-to-back pregnancies. Then right back into postpartum depression paired with winter blues.
And that’s just the last two years.
Self-care has not exactly been at the top of my priority list. I’m lucky if I shower twice in one week, and putting on lotion feels like a luxury.
Picking up the floor after my toddler doesn’t even make it onto my to-do list anymore. The visual clutter drives me crazy. It’s winter, we’re stuck inside doing the same five activities on repeat. And the hardest part? A baby who only naps for 30 minutes at a time, so every two hours I’m putting him down for yet another nap.
By 10 a.m., 6 p.m. feels a month away.
Taking care of myself is low on the list — if it’s on there at all.
The Small Thing That Changed Everything
Lately, I’ve discovered one thing that I can do while sitting in a dark room holding a sleeping baby who won’t let me put him down: READ
I bought myself a Kindle for Christmas, and it was the best decision ever. I even got one of those remote page turners and a holder so I can just look straight ahead and push a button to turn the page. Effortless.
I feel so much better reading than when I scroll social media or play games on my phone. I’ve been reading about one book a week. I joined a local book club with other moms. I also decided to read at least one parenting book a month this year.
It feels like I found a tiny piece of myself again.
What I’ve Learned About Self-Care
Since it’s February, that means I’ve already read two parenting books this year. Both of them deeply resonated with me when they talked about self-care.
It’s true — I can’t be the best parent to my boys until I work on myself first.
But here’s the major discovery:
Self-care is not just pedicures and going on a walk by myself (though those are wonderful). It can be five minutes of intentional breathing. Making one nourishing meal. Drinking enough water. Doing something that actually helps you feel better not just a grand activity that takes a lot of time and effort.
I also learned there are multiple types of self-care. Did you know that? This was mind-blowing to me.
There are different areas:
Physical – caring for your body (sleep, nutrition, movement, hygiene)
Mental – quieting the noise, reducing stress
Emotional – processing feelings, setting boundaries
Spiritual – prayer, gratitude, purpose, reflection
Social – connection with others
Intellectual – learning, reading, growing your mind
Suddenly, it made sense.
Getting outside for a quick walk might make me feel temporarily better… but not for long. Why? Because I was only meeting my needs in one category.
Reading my Kindle before bed everyday, though? That one small habit touches multiple areas:
Social (book club)
Intellectual (learning and growing)
Mental (replacing mindless scrolling)
No wonder it feels so different.
The Categories I’ve Been Neglecting
This whole realization hit me hard: I tend to focus on self-care in the same categories and completely neglect others.
Physical self-care? Major weak spot.
As a breastfeeding mama, it really takes a toll when I don’t prioritize eating well, hydrating, showering, or taking care of my body. No wonder I don’t feel good.
So I’ve decided to approach self-care differently.
Instead of waiting for a grand gesture or a full day off, I want to intentionally do something small in each category at least once a week.
Let’s call it an experiment.
Want to Try It With Me?
The former teacher in me immediately went to work and created a visual tracker — because if I can check a box and see progress, I’m more likely to follow through. Data collection, right?
It’s designed as a month-long log, but please don’t wait another minute to take care of yourself.
The goal?
One or two small acts of self-care every day. We can build from there.
The reason I made the tracker is to make sure I’m touching on each area of self-care. If you have the brain capacity to just remember and do it daily — amazing. Personally, I’m at the point where I need alarms and intention, or it simply won’t happen.
You do you.
If you’d like to join me, you can grab your copy HERE.
Let’s Make a Plan
Journal (or record) how you’re feeling right now with minimal self-care.
Download the self-care tracker.
Hang it somewhere you’ll see it daily.
Start small
This isn’t about perfection.
It’s about remembering that you matter too.
Will you try it with me?
