From Self-Sacrifice to Sustainable Self-Care: Effective Strategies for Working Moms
- Eddison Smith
- Jul 16, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 2, 2024
By: Atoya Follins
Mindset Coach. Author. Speaker.
With the constant juggle between career responsibilities and family demands, it often feels like there is no time for self-care. Recently married, navigating first-time motherhood, and managing my own team after a promotion, I found myself at the crossroads of elevation and exhaustion. As a woman who strives to excel in every area of life, it is hard to believe that I reached my goals in all things but fell short in showing up for myself.

Let’s just say that I learned the hard way how critical self-care is in maintaining your well-being as a working mom. This article explores effective strategies to help you transition from self-sacrificing to sustainable self-care.

Understanding the Importance: Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. It is the intentional actions taken to nurture your physical, mental, and emotional health. By prioritizing self-care, you not only improve your well-being but also enhance your ability to care for your family and excel in your career.
Effective Self-Care Strategies:
Make it Non-Negotiable: Change your mindset and begin to view self-care as a fundamental need. Much like eating, sleeping, or maintaining your hygiene, commit to the practice regardless of other pressures or demands. As a non-negotiable, self-care becomes an integral part of your daily routine.
Remove Time Constraints: Many working moms believe that self-care requires a significant amount of time, which can seem impossible amidst career and family demands. However, self-care does not have to be time-consuming to be effective. The key is to find simple, effective practices that fit into your existing routine and influence your overall well-being.
Make It Personal: Generic self-care practices may not address your specific stressors or personal challenges effectively. Customize your self-care routine to fit your unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. Focus on activities that bring you joy and relaxation. When you enjoy the process, you are more likely to stick with it.
Set Boundaries: Establishing boundaries helps you prioritize essential tasks and personal needs, preventing you from spreading yourself too thin and avoiding overcommitment. Boundaries help ensure you allocate time for rest and relaxation.
Conclusion: Embrace a Supportive Community and Personalized Coaching
Transitioning from self-sacrifice to self-care is a journey that benefits from the support of a nurturing community or tailored guidance. Connecting with a coach or other moms can provide the encouragement, practical advice, and motivation you need to prioritize your well-being and make lasting changes.
If you are looking for a supportive environment with like-minded moms or personalized guidance, I invite you to join the Worthy Working Mom Community or explore the Worthy Working Mom Coaching Program. The Worthy Working Mom Community is a vibrant and supportive network where you can share your experiences, seek advice, and gain inspiration. The Worthy Working Mom Program offers a more tailored approach with personalized coaching designed to address your unique goals and needs.
Visit www.atoyafollins.com to learn more.
This is such a great article. I learned a lot especially shifting my perspective to understand that simple strategies for self care can be just as effective as carving half of a day to line up all of your self care needs. So many words of wisdom shared!
Small moments of self care go so far for me. I mean they are not always these deep tissue massages or facials that we see on SM (although she loves those- she is me...lol). For me sometimes it is just jotting things down so I get them out of my head and sleep well or rewatching a few episodes of my favorite 80s show (queue Golden Girls). Those moments rejuvenate me. ❤️