Mama and…Self-Care

Two sets of pounding feet followed by shrieks of laughter. 

What are the kids doing,” I thought. 

I shrugged and kept writing. I had a cup of Bustelo, my Golden Era hip-hop at low volume, and a few good snacks that I smuggled into the basement and kept ready for moments like these. 

Thud. 

I’m not moving. 

Crash. 

Still not moving. 

Confession: writing is my most radical act of self-care. While other mothers might find a solo trip to the nail salon, or locking the bathroom door to take a warm bath as the greatest form of self-care, for me, it is all about stealing moments to write. 

Whether I’m brainstorming, choosing just the right words or articulating an idea one thing is certain: I’m not dealing with anyone else’s needs at that moment, except my own.  

And while it is an incredible contradiction to who I am as a selfless mother, I find great joy in not doing laundry, in not mopping the floor and having my husband run the kids to the dentist…just so that I can write. 

Not too long ago, I realized that there is no proper balance in motherhood. It’s all about finding and sometimes even forging time for yourself. While it can mean getting up early to write (not happening with these night sweats I’m having!) or just throwing words on a page to get going, there’s no harm in taking a moment for yourself to do what you need. 

As I grow as a mother, I realize that writing is essential and selfish–and I’m ok with both.  I don’t feel guilty when I finally have a moment to create–I give a whole lot to my family–I have to honor myself as often as I can. After all, caring for the creative in me allows me to be the mother I am for my children. 

There are so many ways self-care intersects with motherhood and writing:

• Morning routines or rituals protecting your creativity
• Boundary-setting that feels both necessary and impossible
• Discovering that you’ll never have the voice you had before you became a mom–and that’s alright
• Modeling the joy associated with passionate creativity for your children
• Finding moments to revive your creative energy in busy, stressful days

This month, we’re inviting writers to explore motherhood and self-care, in whatever form it resonates for you.

How to Participate: Share your contribution in the Comments below, on Instagram with the hashtag #MamaAnd, tagging us @literary_mama, and Bluesky @literarymama.bsky.social. The prompt will remain active throughout the month.