Why Self-Care Isn’t a Luxury for Working Moms — It’s Essential Maintenance
If you’re a busy, high-achieving mom, chances are you’ve told yourself:
“I don’t have time for self-care.”
Or maybe,
“I shouldn’t need help — I can handle it all.”
Here’s the truth: self-care isn’t a luxury. For working moms juggling careers, family, and never-ending to-do lists, it’s maintenance — the thing that keeps you going, not the thing you “earn” after burnout.
Therapist and mom Shirria McCullough knows this firsthand. She helps ambitious moms break free from overwhelm, release mom guilt, and prioritize themselves without apology.
In this post, we’re covering:
How to rethink self-care as a working mom
Small, actionable self-care habits that actually fit into busy schedules
Why self-care guilt is so common — and how to unlearn it
Redefining Self-Care: From Luxury to Lifeline
“I used to think self-care meant doing something — like getting a massage or my nails done,” says Shirria.
“I’d even justify it by saying, ‘I’m self-caring,’ because deep down, I was still wrestling with whether I deserved it.”
Today, she defines self-care as prioritizing herself so she can show up fully for her family, her clients, and herself. It’s no longer about the act — it’s about the impact on her mental health and well-being.
3 Small Self-Care Habits for Busy Moms
After an autoimmune diagnosis, Shirria had to overhaul her approach to health. But the changes she made were surprisingly simple — and powerful.
Here are three small self-care habits any busy mom can start with:
Morning movement: Walk, stretch, or exercise — even 10 minutes — to reconnect with your body before the day takes over.
Nourishing breakfast: Fuel yourself intentionally, not just with coffee and leftovers from your child’s plate.
Evening wind-down: Take 10 minutes to breathe, journal, or stretch before bed instead of working until you collapse.
These aren’t luxuries — they’re anchors that help you stay grounded through the chaos.
“I Don’t Have Time for Self-Care.” Let’s Talk About That.
When moms tell Shirria they don’t have time, she offers a gentle challenge:
“You’re not having time. You’re not making time.”
Yes, that truth can sting — but it’s where real change starts.
She encourages moms to:
Reevaluate their time management
Look at who or what they’re prioritizing over themselves
Question why they stay in routines that feel familiar but unsustainable
You don’t need hours to care for yourself. Even micro-moments matter.
Unlearning Mom Guilt Around Self-Care
One of the biggest mindset shifts for working moms is letting go of the guilt.
“I used to overcompensate when I took time for myself, trying to ‘make up for it’ with my family,” says Shirria.
“Now, I schedule self-care during the day when they’re not home, and I’ve shifted from feeling obligated to do everything, to feeling grateful that I have the energy to do what matters.”
This reframing is at the heart of sustainable self-care — and it’s what helps high-achieving moms stop hustling themselves into the ground.
Your Roadmap to Reset
Inside Shirria’s Working Mom Reset Guide, you’ll find simple exercises like time audits, boundary-setting scripts, and small habit trackers — all designed for busy moms who want to reclaim their peace.
This isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about taking off what’s weighing you down.
Ready to Start?
You’re not failing because you’re overwhelmed — you’re human. And you deserve care too. Click here to download the Ambitious Working Mom Reset: A Self Care Guide for Moms Who Always Feel On.
Start small. Start today. Start for you.
