Ways To Feel Like Your Best Self When Becoming A Mum
Written by Louise McCamily
17th October 2022
Becoming a mum for the first time is incredibly exciting. However, aspects of first-time parenthood can be overwhelming. You won’t have as much time for yourself or things you love to do as you will have a little one to look after. Plus, it can sometimes be challenging to bounce back to the old you with limited time on your hands. Nonetheless, with the right tips, you will soon be able to feel back to your best self when you become a parent for the first time.
From how to create the perfect mummy space so you can find time to relax to style tips, here are the best ways to feel like your best self again when becoming a parent.
Don’t Neglect Your Personal Style
When you become a parent for the first time, all the commitments and responsibilities might overwhelm you. You might find yourself never setting time aside to get ready in the morning and instead rush around and leave the house half-dressed, not your best self.
Therefore, a top tip to regain the sense of self is never to neglect your style. If you find that you no longer feel like yourself when doing your hair or getting dressed, it can be time to adjust your style, and to do this, you should seek inspiration.
Testing and finding your favorite chin-length hairstyles from magazines or websites means you can wear your hair in ways that make you feel your best. Instead of following trends or wearing your hair the same every day, simply seeking inspiration can ignite your style and make you feel yourself when you get ready. Trying new styles with your hair, makeup, and clothes will soon help you feel like your best self again.
Create a Quiet Space
As a new parent, it can be tough to find time for yourself. You will be required to care for your baby at all times of the day. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t achieve 5 or 10 minutes of relaxation time.
To ensure that you make the time to dedicate yourself, it is a good idea to create a mummy space. If you create a dedicated space for yourself, you will feel encouraged to go there anytime you need a little rest and think to switch off. This could be in the corner of your living room, sitting in the garden, or soaking in the tub. Find a space that makes you feel the most relaxed to have somewhere safe and peaceful to switch off and create headspace for a little while.
Take proper care of yourself
As well as taking good care of your mental health, you must ensure to stay on top of your physical health. If you neglect your exercise routine, lack a healthy diet, or lack personal hygiene, you are bound to feel sluggish and not your best self.
Therefore, taking proper care of yourself and maintaining your old routine as much as possible is essential. Yes, you might not have an hour a day for the gym. However, you will have time to go for walks with the pram or have ten minutes to care for your personal hygiene when your partner is feeding the baby.
You know how important it is to care for the baby’s hygiene and health, so don’t neglect yours.
Make time for pamper sessions
Where possible, a good pamper can soon make you feel like your best self again. Doing a face mask, going to get your nails done, or washing your hair can make you feel fabulous.
It might not be possible to fit in pamper sessions every day. However, if you can schedule a time each week (maybe a weekend evening), you might feel like yourself again.
Get your to-do list ticked off
To feel like a confident mum, you should never forget how good it feels to tick off your to-do list. Although your to-do list will be much longer with a baby, getting things done can be rewarding and confidence-boosting.
Nothing is worse than leaving errands and tasks to pile up so much that you feel overwhelmed. Hence, write daily to-do lists so that you know what needs doing to stay on top of things. If things get out of hand, there is no harm in asking for help.
Talk to other mums
Whether you have mum friends or your mum or siblings to turn to, you should ensure to speak to other mums that have gone through the same thing. Although you might have your partner to confide in, they might not understand your lack of confidence like a female. Therefore, don’t be afraid to speak to other mums and ask for advice.
They will likely tell you that self-care and sticking to your old routine can help you bounce back and feel like you again. You could also pass on these tips so they can learn how to maintain their confidence and well-being as a mum.
You won’t be alone in your feelings. Finding someone to talk to will help you seek comfort and understand that you will feel like your best self again with the right tips.
Ask your partner for more help
As new parents, it can be more common for women to take leave from work and stay home to care for the baby. Although you might be happy with this arrangement, it might lead to a total lack of personal time. Therefore, you should ask your partner for help to have some ‘you’ time.
Whether this is an hour at a weekend for you to catch up with a friend (baby-free) or a 30-minute space in the evening for you to enjoy a pamper session, having them help will take the weight off of your shoulders and find time to regain your health and well-being.
Create a strict morning and evening routine
It can be challenging to have a set routine as a new parent. You might not be used to the early mornings or waking up in the middle of the night. Midday naps might be calling your name when your baby drifts off too. However, if you have a strict routine (once you feel ready to and the baby settles), you might have more time for the things you enjoy or need to do.
For instance, if you allow yourself to sleep in until the same time your baby does, you might lack enough time to wash and fuel yourself in the morning. Going to sleep a little earlier (as your baby will likely be asleep early anyway) will allow you to wake up and have enough time for your own morning rituals. Just 30 extra minutes each morning could be enough to enjoy your favorite bowl of cereal and do your hair and makeup to make you feel like your best self.
Likewise, ensure to avoid late nights. Although you might find that the 2 or 3 hours in the evening (after your baby has gone to sleep) are the only time you get to yourself, you might be tired the next day if you have to get up during the night or wake early to a crying baby. Getting early nights will ensure that if something does happen in the night, you won’t pay for the lack of sleep the following day.
These simple tips might seem small but they will be highly effective in helping you feel like your best self when becoming a mum for the first time.
Louise is a valuable contributor to our blog, with many years of experience in the parenting niche. She specialises in crafting well-researched articles on fertility, pregnancy, and baby care, often collaborating with experts. With a solid background in baby name research and guidance, she is dedicated to providing trustworthy and insightful content, making her an essential resource for parents navigating their journey.
