YLE

Time

From working full-time to running errands to raising the kids, it can feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all.

When it comes to a lack of time, try these tips to ensure that you make the best use of the time that you do have without creating time that you don’t have the ability to create

Set boundaries Guard your time You only have so much to give. Establish specific times when you will not be available for other responsibilities or other people (family included). Account for any time leaks. Often, there are things that we do throughout our day that we don’t realize take up time that we could use for something else Log your days for about a week & make note of any activities or tasks that could be time wasters

Remove unnecessary tasks or obligations Instead of adding to your day, consider removing or delegating those things that will free up more space in your schedule. Block off time in your schedule. Just like with all the appointments for your job, business or family, scheduling an appointment just for you on your calendar allows you to literally make time for your self-care Consider that appointment a non-negotiable

Budget

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Depending on the type of self-care you prefer, a larger financial investment may be necessary. While not all single moms are struggling financially, some may have genuine financial constraints, which makes investing in self-care a bit more difficult

The good news is that there are many practical and affordable ways for single moms to practice self-care and prioritize themselves without breaking the bank.

For those who are on a tighter budget for whatever reason (because life happens), consider these ideas for self-care when you want to save some money

Take advantage of free resources - The beautiful thing about the internet is that you can find almost anything There are many free self-care resources available online, such as guided meditations, yoga & workout videos YouTube can be your friend when you are looking for free or low-cost routines to try at home.

DIY your routine - Get creative! Mix up your own face masks. Give yourself a mani & pedi Practice self-massage with a foam roller

Add a line item for self-care in the budget - If you do have some wiggle room, allocate a specific amount of money for self-care items each month, such as a massage, a new book or a monthly yoga membership

You are a single mom. Your children need you. YOU need you. That’s why self-care hits differently. That’s why you need to take it seriously. When you practice self-care daily (and it doesn’t have to be complicated), you fill your cup. Over time, that full cup turns into overflow. Live your life from a state of constant overflow. It has a positive ripple effect on everything that you do.