What does self-care actually look like?
In our busy lives, it's common for moms and women to prioritize everyone else's needs ahead of their own. But today, we're joined by Stacy McCann, a licensed therapist and parent coach with over 13 years of experience, to remind us that self-care is not selfish – it's a necessity. In this conversation, you'll discover practical steps to boost your physical, emotional, and mental well-being and the importance of advocating for yourself in your relationships.
Tune in to this week's episode of the Unperfected Pod as Stacy shows us that embracing imperfection is not just okay; it's the path to being "good enough."
[00:00 - 10:59] Introduction
Stacy talks about her work to support burnt-out, overstimulated, and overwhelmed moms who don't have the village they expected to have
She discusses her own experiences as a mom and how COVID highlighted how much moms are doing and how isolated they feel
[11:00 - 22:02] Mom Burnout: Crafting a Self-Care Plan That Works for You
Warning signs of mom burnout include lack of time alone, anger/frustration/rage, negativity, anxiety, and overstimulation
Find a small moment in the day to tune in on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being
Identify what triggers negative emotions and feelings of being overwhelmed, but also pay attention to what makes you feel good
Start small with self-care and gradually expand the time and focus on moments of positivity and well-being
Recognize the importance of recharging your "battery" throughout the day in short bursts rather than waiting until it's nearly depleted
[22:03 - 32:02] Managing Your Mindset and Creating Positivity in Parenting
Stacy shares the small changes she made in her everyday life: managing her caffeine intake in the afternoons and walking
She recommends starting the day with a positive and relaxed mindset
Anxiety can make parents more rigid in their approach, leading to unnecessary stress and pressure for themselves and their kids
Children are highly intuitive and can sense their parents' emotional states
[32:03 - 38:47] The Reality of Parenting and How We Can Change It
Realize that it's crucial to start with your basic needs when it comes to self-care
Learn to manage your expectations and accept that you're not perfect
Taking care of yourself doesn't mean neglecting your children; it can make you a better parent
[38:48 - 48:43] Navigating the Mental Load as Moms
There are societal and generational expectations placed on women as the primary caregivers in a family
Stacy introduces the concept of "reading the room" - a partner should pay attention to what's going on at home
It's not just about asking your partner what they can do to help. It's about them taking on specific tasks and sharing the responsibilities
Motherhood isn't a clear-cut thing and there's no one perfect way to do it.
Let go of the idea of being perfect and embrace the idea of being "good enough" so you can take better care of yourself
[48:44 - 55:38] Closing Segment
Stacy reflects on important lessons she learned as a mother
Parenthood changes you, and that's perfectly okay
Talking about self-care for moms is crucial, but it's equally vital to show how it's done
To learn more about Brooke and her work, listeners can visit Brooke Jean LLC!
Tweetable Quotes:
"We have to go with the flow in between in order to fight that sort of innate need to categorize everything and to label it all because there's nothing about motherhood falls in a category." – Stacy McCann
"When you approach your kids in a rigid, anxiety-fueled let's go, let's go, let's go. Guess what they're going to do? They're going to fight back." – Stacy McCann
"When you have a child, you are not going to be the same person you were before. It's impossible, and that's okay." – Stacy McCann
Connect with Stacy McCann:
Instagram: @presentparentcs
Website: presentmomentcs.com
You can connect with Brooke Jean through her:
Website: Brooke Jean LLC
Facebook: Brooke Jean
LinkedIn: Brooke Jean
Twitter: Brooke Jean
Instagram: @brookejeanunperfected
LEAVE A REVIEW
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookejeanunperfected/
Facebook private group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MLALTL
Website: https://www.brookejeanllc.com/
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