Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: 20 Simple Ways for Ambitious Moms to Refill Their Cup This Week
As a mom of 5 and a therapist for other high-achieving moms, I know firsthand how easy it is to put yourself last.
You’ve got work, kids, groceries, deadlines, car lines, and somehow, you’re also supposed to squeeze in sleep, joy, and rest? It can feel impossible.
But here’s the truth:
Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.
And it doesn’t have to be a luxury. It doesn’t have to cost money. It doesn’t have to take hours.
It can be found in the small, sacred moments you carve out for yourself.
Moments where you say, “I matter, too.”
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or just need a reminder that you deserve care too, here are 20 simple ways to practice self-care this week—even with a full plate.
20 Simple Self-Care Ideas for Ambitious Moms
Start your morning with silence. Even five minutes before the household wakes up.
Sip your coffee or tea slowly—without reheating it three times.
Take a walk without your phone. Just breathe and be.
Say no to one thing this week that doesn’t serve you.
Take a nap (even a 15-minute one).
Write in a journal—even if it’s just one sentence about how you feel today.
Schedule one thing just for fun. (Yes, joy counts as self-care.)
Play your favorite music while you clean or cook.
Let yourself cry if you need to. Emotions are not weakness.
Ask for help without guilt.
Say out loud: “I deserve rest.”
Take a shower and stay in a few minutes longer.
Stretch before bed—release the tension your body holds.
Eat one meal sitting down, without multitasking.
Re-read a favorite book—or just a favorite chapter.
Go to bed 30 minutes earlier (or don’t feel bad if you don’t).
Unfollow accounts that drain you. Curate your feed for peace.
Let the laundry sit. You’re not a machine.
Reconnect with a friend via voice note or quick call.
Remind yourself daily: “I am doing enough.”
Mama, your needs matter.
Your peace matters.
And the more you care for yourself, the more you’ll be able to show up in the way you want to—for your kids, your work, and your dreams.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your self-care journey, I created something just for you.
My Self-Care Workbook for Ambitious Moms is filled with reflection prompts, permission slips, and practical tools to help you reset and reclaim your time—without the guilt.
👉 Download it now: The Ambitious Working Black Mom - Self Care Guide — Mental Wellness Clinical Counseling and Services, PLLC
