Self-Care: What Does that Mean To You?

What is Self-Care?

What do you think self-care really means? There are so many blogs, posts, and articles regarding self-care and what it should look like… what it is and what it isn’t… how it should make you feel… and when it should happen…


I have read so many of these myself and every time there is something that makes me want to scream. There is something in these articles or blogs that I don’t agree with. So, I decided I am going to leave the meaning of the word “self-care” up to you.



In one blog post, I remember reading that taking a shower isn’t self-care but to me that is taking care of myself. As a mother who had horrible baby-blues (or undiagnosed postpartum depression), I would go seven or more days without showering. I was not taking care of myself and a shower is needed for self-care.


Running errands for the family, alone is not self-care… or so I have read in another one of these articles. For some people this may not be considered self-care and it may be considered more of a chore. But for others this is heaven… they don’t care that they are buying things for the family or the home or the dog… they just enjoy being out of the house alone because they only get this opportunity once every two months.


I have made the joke to my dentist about it feeling like a vacation to be there… to be honest, it was actually nice to get my teeth cleaned, alone, without having to worry about a child in the chair or hearing a screaming baby. Do you consider going to the dentist self-care? For me it is because I am taking care of myself but again for some, it is not self-care because they aren’t doing what they’d prefer for their mental stability… and that is okay!


justmysize.com (Hanesbrands Inc.)


Sometimes our self-care changes depending on our family life, our schedules, and what season of motherhood we are in. We need to adapt to our life, what we can afford and sometimes that means getting creative.


What is self-care to you? And who are we to tell you what that looks like? Yes, it is important to have something for yourself… a hobby… an activity… or one night a month that you do whatever your soul desires. As a mother, you need that unwind time and the time with your ladies to laugh and be silly. Or maybe you like to be alone and get a massage or get your nails done. Everyone’s definition of self-care is different and who are we to judge what that looks like.


Girl, don’t let anyone tell you that a shower isn’t self-care or that you go out too much with your friends… no matter what, remember to keep yourself, your mental state, and your heart –healthy and strong! Your kids, spouse, and yourself need YOU to be the best YOU that you can be!


Check out my free guide to a healthy well-being HERE

Join my free community of moms in my Facebook Group where we have Self-Care Sundays every week!


Check out my clothing line to empower women and remind you how strong, beautiful, and blessed you are! 

 

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Meet Heather Martin

 
The sterile scent of hospitals, the hushed, hopeful whispers, and the gnawing fear that lives in every waiting room – these became the unwanted backdrop of my life. It wasn't a single event, but a relentless series of challenges that slowly, profoundly, reshaped my understanding of health and ultimately, my purpose.

It began with my own daughter's cancer diagnosis. The helplessness I felt was amplified a thousandfold. As we navigated her treatment, I scrutinized every aspect of her care, seeking not just survival, but thriving. I began to ask different questions, looking beyond the conventional to see how diet, lifestyle, and a holistic approach could support her body through the immense challenges she faced.

Then, the world tilted on its axis with my beloved father. His terminal cancer diagnosis was a crushing blow, an unyielding reality that traditional medicine, for all its marvels, couldn't alter. We watched, we hoped, we grieved. In the midst of that raw pain, a seed of curiosity took root: Was there more to healing than what we were being told?

My own body then sent a jarring message. I experienced a hemiplegic migraine, an terrifying event that starkly mimicked stroke-like symptoms. The sudden loss of function, the fear, the uncertainty – it was a profound wake-up call. It forced me to confront my own health, which I had unconsciously neglected while caring for others. It was in that moment of vulnerability that I truly understood the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.

I realized then that I didn't just want to heal; I wanted to understand why we get sick and how to build true, resilient health from the ground up. I wanted to change the trajectory of my own life, and more importantly, my family's life, away from chronic illness and towards vibrant well-being.

This intense, personal journey ignited an unshakeable passion within me. I devoured knowledge, exploring functional nutrition, mind-body practices, and the profound impact of lifestyle on health. I became an integrative health practitioner because I couldn't keep this newfound understanding to myself. My deepest desire is to guide others through their own health challenges, to empower them with the knowledge and tools to create their own new beginnings, and to help them rewrite their family's health story, just as I've strived to do for my own. It's not just a profession; it's a calling born from love, loss, and a relentless hope for a healthier future for all.
 

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