[If you are of the mind that self care is selfish your world is about to be turned upside down, in a good way. Discover why self care isn’t selfish and other myths about self care that could be holding you back from living your best life.]

Self Care Isn’t Selfish

For once I didn’t have spit up on my shirt, my hair was washed and I even had a pair of dangling earrings on. I was out of the house by myself, which is something I hadn’t done in months.

My baby was just a couple months old and although I adored spending time with her I was in desperate need of a break.

But as I sat there with my girlfriend, I found my gaze wandering to the clock on my phone. I felt restless and guilty.

You may have heard of this as “mom guilt”.

When I got home I felt this need to make up for my time away.

The truth is I felt guilty whenever I took time for myself.

Even when I didn’t leave the house and just did some yoga or painted my nails while my baby slept instead of doing the dishes or washing the seemingly endless pile of laundry.

Can you relate?

It took me quite some time to realize it didn’t’ have to be this way.

So today we are going find out why self care isn’t selfish as well as bust other self care myths so you can stop feeling guilty for taking care of yourself and start living your best life.

Ready to live your best life, Mama?

Let’s dive in!

Myth #1 – Self Care Is Selfish

We’ve all heard it. Self Care is Selfish.

One of my biggest aha moments in motherhood was that taking care of myself wasn’t actually selfish at all. It was one of the most selfless things I could do as a mom.

I like the example of a stewardess giving the safety demonstration at the beginning of a flight.

During part of the demonstration she shows you how to put on the oxygen mask. And she instructs you to put on your mask before helping anyone else…Including your own children!

That just goes against all of our motherly instincts. Right?!

But, if you consider that if you helped your children first and everyone else first, you would surly run out of life giving oxygen in the process. And then you wouldn’t be able to help anyone else.

When we look at self care in this same way, it makes it easy to see that self care isn’t selfish at all.

If we want to be of service to others we must first care for ourselves.

Myth #2 – Self Care Is Extravagant

Let me ask you a question – When you think of self care what is the first thing that comes to mind?

You may think that self care takes a lot of time, money or resources that you just don’t have.

Many times self care is thought of as getting a massage or a pedicure or having a girls weekend.

And although this can be a part of your self care practice. True self care goes deeper. True self care taking care of your whole being body mind and soul moment to moment.

It can be as simple as pausing to take a deep breath, making your self a cup of tea, or soaking in the sunshine.

That is why I love the term soul care. You will hear me refer to the term self care and soul care interchangeably.

Myth #3 – Self Care Looks the Same For Everyone

Since true self care is taking care of yourself body mind and spirit moment to moment and because we are each unique individuals there is no way this is going to look the same for all of us.

Tuning into your heart space is the best way to know what you need.

Self care is caring for yourself by doing what you love, so you can live your best life!

Myth #4 – Self Care is Optional

I used to believe this. That self care was a thing you did when you felt like it or had the time. But as I found out after becoming a mom. Self care is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

This quote from Eleanor Brownn speaks to this beautifully. She says “Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”

You can’t be the vibrant loving person you are meant to be without taking care of you first. This is especially true for moms. Remember self care isn’t selfish.

Myth #5 – Self Care Means Choosing Between Yourself & Others

This ties back into our first self care myth that self care is selfish.

I love this quote from Katie Reed that says “Self-care is giving the world the best of you instead of what’s left of you.”

This is the exact opposite of selfishness.

Self Care isn’t about choosing between yourself and others. It is about filling your cup and taking care of yourself. So you can be the best version of yourself and pour your love into your children, your family, your friends, and the world.

Living Your Best Life

I hope this has helped you shift your perspective of self care and drop any guilt you have around taking care of yourself. If you want to be the best mom you can be and enjoy the journey of motherhood, self care, soul care need to be embraced and prioritized in your day.

Remember self care isn’t selfish!

Live your best life, Mama!

If you are ready start bring self care into your day be sure to get the Kickstart Your Calm Morning Guide – a self care ritual for moms- as a free gift when you join the soul care mom community.

Enter your email address to get soul care inspiration delivered to your inbox plus get instant access to 5 simple steps to help you feel calm every day!