As a mom, and especially one living through a pandemic do you even feel that you are just making it through the day until bedtime? If so, I understand. I’ve been there. I’ve had many days like that too in the “hot mess” phase of my life, but I came to realize that there was another way—one where I didn’t feel like I was simply going through the motions, but instead was savoring each moment of raising my kids. I love my kids, as we all do, and for them I wanted to find a way to not only be a better mom, but to be a better person.
I wrote my first book, “Hot Mess to Mindful Mom” for parents that want to live a more balanced and mindful life so they can stress less and enjoy more. Our kids grow up so fast. The days quickly turn into months (well…in a pandemic they may feel slower!) and if we aren’t paying attention we’ll miss them. Focusing on the present moment allows us to soak up all the joy of life and feel fulfilled and happy.
I have implemented all of the tools that I write about, slowly over time of course, into my own life. From the bottom of my heart, these tools changed my life and helped me transform from a Hot Mess to a Mindful Mom. They help me to appreciate special moments as they are happening, and see the lessons and growth in the more challenging ones. I have achieved a greater balance between being a mom and being me. I am not perfect, nor would I even pretend to be, but I feel better about where I am as a mom and a person, and most days that is pretty much everything. I think we can all agree that being a mom is pretty incredible, but it’s also really hard. We need tools to help us navigate situations where we don’t have all the answers.
Cultivate “ME” Time
I love a mani/pedi as much as anyone, but in my life a “medi” is at the top of my list for self-care.
If I told you that a present would be waiting for you every morning if you got out of bed ten minutes earlier, would you do it? I would! I love presents! That is exactly how I feel about my alone time spent in meditation each morning. It is a gift that I give to myself every day. The time spent in solitude creates a reservoir of calm and peace for me to use throughout my day. Without it my day doesn’t have the same rhythm and flow. It’s the time of day that is all about me.
Whether you use an app or set a time and meditate on your own, you will crave this time once you get started.
Cultivate Gratitude
There are so many ways to practice gratitude. Sure, you can have a gratitude journal but that isn’t the only way. Here are a few suggestions for making gratitude feel easy because I promise that gratitude is a game changer.
Try to make your first thought in the morning “thank you.” Right before you open your eyes, when you know that you are awake, say “thank you” in your head. You can thank the Universe for another day, you can feel grateful for your healthy body, your family, or that you have a Girls’ Night Out planned for that evening. It doesn’t matter what you are grateful for, it is simply starting the day with a grateful mindset that can really propel your day in a positive direction. It’s much better than waking up agonizing about your to do list, I promise!
Here’s another easy way to bookend your day with gratitude. Take an index card or sticky note and simply write the work “Gratitude” on it. Stick it to your mirror in your bathroom so you see it when you brush your teeth in the morning and evening. When you see it simply think of a few things you are grateful for. This way you are starting and ending your day with gratitude.
Cut Yourself Some Slack
You are doing the best you can! Even the things that you regret, and the mistakes you made were done with good intentions at the time. We are human, and we will mess up! Reframing these experiences as learning tools is really helpful. They are how we grow and evolve!
I just came across a mantra that I love and I am saying it every night.
Inhale: I did my best.
Exhale: I let go of the rest.
The mistakes I’ve made will not be my last. I will yell at my kids, I will put my foot in my mouth, and I will forget to invite someone to a birthday party. I will disappoint my loved ones and myself. The difference will be my attitude when they happen. Instead of beating myself up I will show compassion and cut myself some slack because our mistakes don’t define us, how we handle them and what we learn from them does. Is there even a better lesson to teach our kids than that?
About The Author
Ali Katz is a meditation teacher, animal communicator, and an author. She is passionate about sharing her love of meditation and mindfulness with her clients in a relatable and authentic way. After Ali embarked on her journey and began meditating in 2012, she noticed she had lower levels of stress, less anxiety, more patience, better sleep, never got sick, was making better decisions, and was more present in all areas of her life.
Ali feels it is her calling to connect with other women, and help them understand the many benefits of meditation and mindfulness, the techniques to get started, and how to truly make these tools a part of their lives.
Ali is honored to give animals a voice in this world, and to help pet parents feel more connected to their animals, and get answers to their burning questions.
Ali has been featured on NBS, CBS, Fox News, Family Circle Magazine, drlaura.com, in the Houston Chronicle, in the Public News and various other outlets. She is also the author of three best selling books in the “Hot Mess to Mindful Mom” Trilogy.
You can learn more about Ali at www.alikatz.com
Ali Katz
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