Want Guilt Free Self Care? Read this Mama.

‘Mum guilt’ – the struggle is real! I was recently asked by a supporter of Mamas Mind Menu to post on ideas for guilt free self care. This mum feels guilty when she tries to do anything self care related beyond keeping her water intake up and washing her hair a few times a week. I can totally relate. On Monday night I was feeling low. About to start another working week with lots of time away from my baby girl, the ‘mum guilt’ was winning. By bedtime, despite avoiding screen time and alcohol and doing all the right things, I wasn’t feeling relaxed at all. I needed a self care pick me up with instant gratification that was both quick and guilt free. This got me thinking about how we can enjoy guilt free Mama self care with minimum effort and maximum impact. Here’s my conclusions…

1 Year Living with Anxiety & a Baby

“Slow down, slow down”, said the midwife in a calm but firm manner. “How?!”, I frantically screamed back in my head. And then, there she was. Our tiny little daughter came flying into the world, with one almighty splash, into the birthing pool.

Mr E and I are now very proud parents to a beautiful, sassy, loving, little one year old. It’s been the best and most challenging year of my life. Here are my reflections, one year into parenthood, on what it is like to live with mental health struggles and a baby. Not all of this has been easy to write but if it means just one other parent knows they are not alone in finding things difficult then it was worth it.