Homestead Mom Self-Care

Make your time go further by fitting in some homestead mom self-care to your day. It is time to fill up your cup so you can keep doing what you love!

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Not too long ago, I found myself stuck. I had trapped myself in a never ending to do list of homesteading tasks, household management expectations, and homeschooling responsibilities. I was tired and drained. Something had to change.

I realized that it was essential for me to start making myself a priority in order to keep giving to the people I loved most. That is when everything changed! Now I have more energy than I ever have. I look forward to everyday.

By taking care of myself, I get more done than I ever did. I used to think I didn’t have the time for self-care, but it has given me MORE productive time. I really know how it feels to not know how to make my self-care a priority.

When I finally had enough of not being my best self for my family, I asked the LORD to help me find the time. Without fail, he delivered! Here are some of the actions I slowly implemented. I hope that they bless you on your self-care journey.

Aim for 8 hours of sleep, no exceptions

It is absolutely crucial to get 8 hours of sleep for your daily performance, as well as your long-term health. I used to try getting more done by staying up late. What I found was that I did not do my best work at night. I stayed up being less efficient than if I just went to bed with tasks undone and got up earlier. After a good night’s rest, those to-do items I was staying up for could be done in half the time. Not to mention my production throughout the day improved because I wasn’t so tired. You can do it too! Go to bed on time and become a morning person.

Look forward to the morning

Once you start going to bed on time, getting up in the morning isn’t as hard. Develop a morning routine that you love and do it every day. Why should you develop a morning routine that you love? Because life should be enjoyed. Self-care is all about designing a life that you are fulfilled by. Indulge in the pleasures of the morning such a s a good cup of coffee or walk outside. By doing your morning routine every day it will become a habit and your productivity will skyrocket. Consider adding some of the items off of the list below to your morning routine to supercharge your day:

Read the Bible
Drink Water
Exercise or stretch
Drink a hot drink like coffee or tea
Watching the Sunrise
Set daily intentions in a planner
Write in a Journal
Look at dreamy gardening books

Move your Body

Moving my body in the morning is something I now look forward to. I used to view exercise as a chore, but now it is a luxury. I found that farm work was simply not enough. It is good to be walking around pushing a wheelbarrow, but it just made me tired when done alone. Now I set time aside for restorative exercise every day. If you can, invest in your physical activity. Get some new exercise equipment or pay for a gym membership. I look forward to the gym every morning because as a homeschooling homesteading mama, I am rarely alone, and the gym is a place of solitude for me now. I implemented the habit slowly and you can too.

Rest in progress not perfection

When I was planning to change my habits, it seemed overwhelming. I regrettably have some perfectionist tendencies that used to hold me back. Realize that progress is so much better than perfection because it leads to actually getting tasks done and is so much better for mental health. As a homestead mama, your plate is very full, and I know that you feel defeated when the day is done and there is still that never ending to do list. Focus on three tasks for the day and rest in the progress of checking off those three. Do not even think about the big list. Improve your mental health by resting in the little successes every day.

Make time for your favorite homestead tasks

Homesteading is good and hard work. I know that when the to do list is long, it is tempting to only make time for what seems like the most pressing tasks. If you are living this lifestyle for the long haul, you need to take time for the fun parts of homesteading. Do you love roses (like me!)? Plant some. Have you always wanted to learn soapmaking? Do it. Enjoy sitting in the garden with a good drink to spark some passion back into the routine. Homesteading can be quite romantic if you time for those extra special tasks.

Listen to audiobooks during homestead chores

One way to make time for the lovely aspects of homesteading, is to pair an enjoyable activity with one that needs to be done. I love listening to audiobooks or podcasts while weeding in the garden. It helps me stay motivated to keep going, especially on the hard days. Listening to audiobooks or podcasts also helps to learn new skills, ideas, or perspectives. It feeds the soul!

Invest in some luscious skin care

When I desired to make a change in how I take care of myself, skin care was one of my main priorities. Simple self-care actions like washing my face at the end of the night and applying a luscious moisturizer seemed to be too much work when I was overwhelmed. If you do not have a regimented skin care routine yet, have some fun researching what is right for you.

homestead mom wearing sun hat holding basket of fruit and vegetables

Look Pretty

While on the topic of beauty, think about presenting yourself in a way that you personally find beautiful. This is going to look different for every woman. Have fun digging deep into what your personal style is. It is so easy to let this slip away when your tasks for the day include cleaning the chicken coop and fertilizing the garden.

Homesteaders are challenged on looking beautiful on the farm, because we also need extremely functional clothing. I got tired of looking unpresentable all of the time and decided to dress in a way that made me personally feel like my best self, and you can too!

Get away from the homestead for a day

As much as I like to encourage you to find the beauty on the homestead, sometimes you just need a break. It is a good reminder that all you might need to feel ready to tackle the farm again, is some time away from the farm. I personally feel so excited to get back to my morning and evening routines when I have had a vacation. Plan a day trip if a full-on vacation isn’t in your schedule or budget.

Take Tea

I started to “take tea” every afternoon when I changed my diet. Not too long ago, I thought that I needed to have a perfect diet, or none at all. Now I have a treat during my teatime in the afternoon, and I love it! I look forward to this time every day. Sometimes I read a book, look at a magazine or just jot down thoughts in a notepad. Taking tea has been a great self-care act for me, because it lets me indulge at a controlled and planned time. It also gives me a gentle lift (thanks caffeine!) to finish out the day.

homestead mom wearing cross back apron cooking in kitchen

How to take care of yourself and homestead?

Aim for 8 hours of sleep, no exceptions.
Look forward to the morning by implementing a morning routine that combines function and pleasure.
Move your body intentionally to build strength and promote feel good hormones.
Rest in the progress you make daily, not perfection. Perfection does not exist.
Make time for your favorite homestead tasks like growing flowers or making soap.
Feed your mind by listening to audiobooks during homestead chores.
Take care of your skin.
Develop personal style and wear clothes that you personally find beautiful.
Get away from the homestead for the day. You need a break!
Take some down time in the afternoon with a good cup of tea.