adminLetter from Mumma
Dear Sweet Mama,
Oh, how I remember those days of running on fumes, with a coffee cup in one hand and a laundry basket in the other. Life can feel like a never-ending cycle of to-dos, can’t it? The days are long, the tasks are plenty, and it’s so easy to let yourself get lost in the shuffle.
Hi! I’m Velvet Mumma. A single mom to two, a tween and a teen. I wasn’t very long ago that my two were babies and we were struggling to just get the simplest of things accomplished. No, I wasn’t always a single mom, but when my children were two years old and two months old, Dad went to Afghanistan. I always remember my daughter’s reaction the most. “Put the baby down!” she’d yell, half crying, half pouting.
You see, she had lost dad, and everyone else in her life that she knew ( we moved), and gained a baby brother that took mom from her, or so she thought. Accomplishing even the simplest of task became the greatest of chores for me. Oh, the days.
Today, life is simpler. But there are exactly 4 days in a month that I spend refreshing and regrouping. My children are with me 98.9% of the time. I have had to learn some big strategies that have become so useful and over time, I’ve learned to provide essential self care in other ways.
But let me tell you something I’ve had to learn the hard way: you can’t pour from an empty cup. You matter, Mama, and your well-being is not just important—it’s essential. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s survival. So, today, let’s chat about hitting that “reset” button and taking care of the one person who holds it all together—you.
Love,Mumma
The Heart of Self-Care: What It Really Means
Self-care isn’t just spa days, bubble baths, or fancy vacations—though those are lovely if you can swing them! True self-care is about restoring your energy, nurturing your soul, and finding balance. It’s recognizing that you are just as deserving of love and care as those precious little ones you pour into every day.
When we care for ourselves, we honor the incredible work God has given us as mothers. He doesn’t expect us to run ourselves ragged. In fact, He invites us to rest: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Today I’m going to provide you with some tips to get that much needed relaxation. I wish I’d had someone speak this into my life years ago, but I’m simply going to say, ” Thank you Jesus for blessings of it all, for pushing me through and for never leaving my side.
Simple Practices for the Self-Care Reset
You don’t need hours or expensive routines to make self-care a priority. Start small with these practical, doable steps:
1. Start Small
Take 5 minutes to pray, journal, or just breathe deeply. Okay, so who am I kidding. 5 minutes? No. More like 20. Now you might need to wake up earlier or perhaps stay up when the baby is sleeping but this is a must. Take time to pour into yourself. Take time to get closer to God. Take time. You will be so glad you did.
End your day with a gratitude practice: write down three things you’re thankful for. We do this at my house. We have a gratitude jar. Everyone writes down 1-3 things we are greatful for in our day. It helps y’all. When you have those bad days ( and you will) you can pull a piece of paper out and remember what exactly made you smile. Some days it is just that you were able to see the smiling faces of your babies, and other days, don’t we have so much more to be thankful for?
2. Move Your Body
A 10-minute walk outdoors can do wonders for your mind and body. This time outside can be spent doing anything tht exhilarates your soul. Step into the sunshine, you’ll be so glad you did.
Dance in the kitchen with your kids to your favorite song. Movement can be fun and joyful! What else can I say?
3. Nourish Your Soul
Spend time reading scripture or a devotional. Create a “quiet corner” in your home, even if it’s just for 10 minutes of uninterrupted reflection. This is a wonderful habit to find yourself in.
4. Set Boundaries
Learn to say “no” to things that drain you and “yes” to what matters most. You Can Not do it all. Learn to say NO. Protect your time.
Protect time for yourself by scheduling it like any other appointment. Daily rituals are important. Find time to bathe, to run, to read, something that will motivate you or relax you or restart that for you.
5. Ask for Help
Don’t be afraid to delegate or ask for support from a friend, spouse, or family member. This is so very important. I mean i understand that you do it all! You are super women. You can juggle it. But, you need refresh. Sometimes you will need help. So ask for it.
Overcoming Mom Guilt: The Grace Perspective
Let’s talk about mom guilt—the invisible chain that keeps us from taking care of ourselves. It whispers lies, telling us that if we’re not doing everything for everyone, we’re failing. But here’s the truth: God doesn’t expect you to do it all. He gives us grace for our imperfections and wants us to give ourselves grace, too.
Taking time for yourself isn’t neglect—it’s love. It’s showing your children what it looks like to care for the temple God gave you. It’s demonstrating that balance is a part of a faithful life.
Encouragement to Start Today
Mama, you don’t need to overhaul your life to begin your self-care reset. Just start small. Choose one practice from the list above, and give yourself permission to focus on it today. Remember, small steps lead to big changes, and every little bit of self-care adds up to a healthier, happier So, sweet mama, remember that your well-being is worth it. Take a deep breath, say a prayer, and give yourself the gift of care today. You’ve got this!Love,Mumma you.
So, sweet mama, remember that your well-being is worth it. Take a deep breath, say a prayer, and give yourself the gift of care today. You’ve got this!
Love,
Mumma
Letters to Mumma
I’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite self-care practice? Share it in the comments or tag me on social media—I’d love to cheer you on in your journey to a happier, healthier you.
PS: Need a little help getting started? Download my free “Self-Care Reset Checklist” to keep these ideas handy!
