Motherhood is a journey that transcends all boundaries. Regardless of background or age, every mother shares a common thread. It’s almost a guarantee that if you’re reading this, you’re feeling exhausted and have a deep understanding of what it means to struggle. Ironically, even the most devoted and loving mothers often find themselves feeling like martyrs.
We frequently ignore the advice given to us. Instead of taking time to care for ourselves, we push our limits daily. We hear to ease up on self-criticism, yet we are our harshest critics. We’re encouraged to prioritize self-care to avoid burnout, yet we often let our homes and lives become chaotic as we scroll through Pinterest, comparing our reality to others’.
Despite yearning for a simpler, slower pace, we remain tied to our busy schedules and endless to-do lists. We go through the motions, bribing ourselves to rise each morning, only to feel the weight of exhaustion as the day drags on. We’ve lost sight of how to love ourselves and appreciate the life we lead. Instead, we rush through each day, berating ourselves for not measuring up.
But what if we chose a different path? What if we created a “Just for Today” list and genuinely committed to it? What if we replaced the resentment and frustration with love in all its forms: compassion, forgiveness, joy, and kindness — starting with ourselves?
Just for today, let’s commit to loving the mom we are.
It’s simpler than you might imagine. Replace negative thoughts with these affirmations:
- Just for today, when I wake up feeling irritable and overwhelmed by the morning chaos, I will remind myself that I am the only mother my children need, and even on my off days, my love is enough for them.
- Just for today, when I encounter another mom who appears to have everything together while I’m in my sweatpants, I will appreciate my body for all it does to care for my family.
- Just for today, when I look around at the mess, I will tackle one small chore and let the rest be. I’ll remember that I’m not competing in a cleanliness contest.
- Just for today, when self-doubt creeps in and I think every other mom is doing a better job, I will remind myself that appearances can be misleading. She likely faces her own challenges, and her kids are not perfect, no matter how they seem online.
- Just for today, when fatigue sets in and I feel short with my loved ones, I will remember that they don’t need a flawless mom; they just need me.
- Just for today, when my to-do list feels overwhelming, I will keep the bigger picture in mind—the joy of this fleeting day and the love that can be found in it if I take a moment to appreciate it. I’ll slow down, be kinder to myself, and recognize that these simple moments create a lifetime of memories.
- And just for today, when social media tells me I’m not measuring up, I’ll remind myself that those who truly matter know I’m doing my best—imperfect, messy, and unsure, but filled with love and honesty.
Today, I embraced the mom I was. If I can carry that spirit into tomorrow, that will be a true victory.
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In summary, motherhood is a challenging yet rewarding journey. By practicing self-love and compassion toward ourselves, we can embrace our unique paths and find fulfillment in our everyday lives.