You can't pour from an empty cup

"Self care means giving the world the best of you, instead of what is left of you"

Once home and recovering from my C-section I remember so many people telling me I needed to take care of myself and have time out for me. I thought everyone had gone bananas, self care was the last thing I was thinking about. If I managed to get out of my pj's, feed myself and get out from under the duvet I thought I was caring for myself.

On social media #selfcare has become a huge phenomena, especially with the positive movement of more open discussion surrounding mental health in recent years. To most of us, when we think of self care we think of running ourselves a hot bath or treating ourselves to a bar of chocolate, but what is the true value of self care and why is it so important?

True self care can be broken down into two categories. Firstly, our basic needs, such as having clean clothes to wear, eating food and connecting with other human beings. The second category involves filling your cup with anything that makes you happy, loved, inspired or is just a good time and makes you smile! Contrary to what we may see online, self care doesn't have anything to do with making ourselves look better (however, if this is something you like to do and it fills your cup, do it!). It means treating your body and mind like you love yourself and YOUR needs and YOUR enjoyment matter too. I think that's the thing I've found difficult since becoming a first time mum 8 weeks ago, remembering I'm Beth as well as Mummy, and it's ok to do the things I like to do and things I did before having a baby. It's perfectly normal!

The main thing I've taught myself about self care in the past 2 months is to make it a priority. Looking after a tiny human 24/7 is the hardest, most rewarding job in the world, there is always something to do, however, after your little one has been fed, clothed and loved, its time for YOU. Your mental and physical health is a lot more important than doing the dishes, if you need 5 minutes to sit, think and have a cup of coffee, you deserve it. You carried your baby in your tummy for 9 long months and you'll raise your child into adulthood, mummy guilt shouldn't enter your brain. You are doing a great job. 

Keep going mama's. We've got this. 

This photo was taken a month before Freddie was due on mine and Steven's anniversary meal. I always like to glam up if I get the chance, it makes me feel good 😊.

Chatting to a friend over a hot drink and a piece of cake really does work wonders for me, I find it really good to talk and explain exactly how I'm feeling.

I'm really lucky to have such an understanding partner like Steven, he always makes sure he supports me in anyway he can.

A coffee date with my Granny a couple of weeks ago before Christmas really made me feel good, I don't see her very often and it's always lovely to spend time with family, I'm such a family orientated person.

Catching up with a friend you haven't seen in forever is always a good way to spend an afternoon. It did take us 3 times to arrange meeting up as life kept getting in the way but it was lovely.

An evening meal out with Sophie, Alan, Brandon and Steven and little Freddie. It's nerve-wracking going out in the evening with a young baby, but you just have to roll with it and put in the back of your mind that everybody was a baby once, people are more patient than you think. Keep calm.

Freddie, you are my world.

Over Christmas I treated myself to a fair few alcoholic beverages, if you can't at Christmas, when can you?