This is a sponsored post on behalf of Mirum.
All opinions are my own and were not influenced by any parties.
Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday, May 13th. Moms across the country will get cards, flowers, gifts, and even breakfast in bed. Her kids and husband will shower her that day to let her know they love her. But, for me, Mother’s Day is not just about the women who gave birth, but those who support and lift me up. The women in my life who are also mothers.
Also see: 7 Gift Ideas for Working Moms
For some of you, these women are co-workers for others they may be friends. A mother is not just someone who carried you in their womb for nine months. A mother is anyone who loves another more than they love themselves. They are the women who hold us up and are there to support and encourage us every step of the way.
I have a fantastic mom. She is such a blessing to me and is always there to help in any way that I can. But, in the past couple of years, I’ve had the gift of being blessed with other women who are mother-like to me. These women love and support me just as much as own mother does.
THE MOTHERS IN MY LIFE
I’ve known Lindsey and Brooke for more than seven years. Our girls were in preschool together. During that time of their lives, we were just acquaintances. We saw one another when dropping our girls off at school each morning. There were birthday parties and school functions where we would visit. Our girls became fast friends, which made us get to know one another.
But then, our girls moved to kindergarten. It meant a new school for my daughter, without her two close friends. However, my daughter and Lindsey’s daughter were still very good friends, even going to birthday parties and having a few play dates here and there.
Then, one day, Lindsey emailed to see if I’d like a girls night out with her and Brooke. That one night changed everything. It was as if I found my people. The women I needed in my life to be like a mom to me. Those strong, independent, caring, loving women who would pick me up and be there no matter when I needed them.
That was proven to me recently.
I ended up needing some pretty major surgery (I’m fine, so no one should worry). Sure my mom and husband were there, but that was more out of obligation due to birth and marriage. But, Brooke and Lindsey were too. They were another set of moms looking out for me.
They brought our family meals, so no one had to cook dinner. They checked on me time and again – just like a mom. These women took the time out of their busy lives to make sure I was OK. They are my people. These strong women are appreciated all year long. They make me a better mom.
I didn’t just figure this out during the past couple of weeks. I have known this for months now. These women inspire me to remember that I can not only be there for my kids, but I can put myself first once in a while. It is OK to change the order of my priorities from 1 – Kids, 2 – Husband, 3 – Me to 1 – Me, 2 – Husband, 3 – Kids.
And, while it may sound contrite, I had to find a way to do this every day. I know that when I can take care of myself, that I have more to give to my family. And, it doesn’t take much for me. I just have to take care of myself first.
Working from home I had forgotten that. Sure, it has its perks. But, it is also easy to just wear yoga pants and hoodies and not care about your appearance. After all, who will you see? The dog? Your kids? Does anyone really care how you look?
These strong women reminded me that the way I look is not about what I am doing for others, it is about what I am doing for myself. If I feel good about what I see in my reflection, it is felt by my family as well.
So, several months ago, I decided it was time for a change! I had to stop the sometimes routine of caring about myself and make sure I did so every single day. It’s amazing to me how much better I feel and how much more of myself I have to give.
MY MORNING ROUTINE
Each day after the kids head off to school, I no longer plop down at the desk to start work. I start with a walk or workout followed by a good breakfast. Then, I pamper myself a bit.
I’m not talking about fancy lotions and makeup or even a massage (although, I’d never turn one down). I have learned that the little things I do make me feel better about myself.
For example, I use to wash my face with soap and water. One day I was walking through Target and saw Dove Beauty Bars were on sale, so grabbed one. I had seen the commercials and thought I’d give this a try. If I hated it, I could toss it. No biggie.
I was honestly shocked at how it made my skin feel and look. Seriously. I couldn’t believe that something so simple could make such a difference.
I’ve always had very dry skin, but it also is prone to breakouts. Finding the right balance of cleaning and moisturizing products has always been a challenge. I couldn’t believe how silky smooth my skin felt after washing my skin with the Dove Beauty bar for the first time. But, even more than the way my skin looked was how it felt.
I had been so used to a routine of washing my face with soap and water followed with a moisturizer, that I couldn’t believe it no longer felt dried out. The moisturizing product I had been using for years was no longer necessary. This 40+-year-old skin did better after a few days of using one product that it had in years. Go figure!
I now have a routine where I put myself first and know it’s OK. And, it started with just a single white bar.
If you want to get your mom or the mother-like person (people) in your life something she will love for Mother’s Day, then skip the flowers. Forget the jewelry. Get her something that will remind her of the beautiful person she is inside and out by telling her to pamper herself, every day of the year.