Attainable New Year's Aspirations for Mamas-to-Be
If you’re pregnant going into the new year you’ve probably already shifted your focus towards creating a nurturing and harmonious environment for your growing baby.
The truth is, there are a lot of unknowns when you’re expecting and adding the pressure of traditional “New Year’s Resolutions” might not be helpful this year.
That’s why we recommend ditching the resolutions that can leave you feeling defeated and, instead, set some attainable aspirations that will leave you feeling like the strong, radiant mama you are.
Here are a few of our aspirational ideas:
Nurture your home garden: Just as you're cultivating life within, connect with the natural world around you. Incorporate more plants into your home. Not only do they add beauty, but many also improve air quality. Studies have even shown that caring for plants can reduce stress and boost your mood. (Pro Tip: ask for non-toxic easy to care for plants so they can survive a little neglect when your baby arrives).
Choose simplicity and consume less: Minimize clutter and aim to consume (buy) less stuff. When you choose high-quality, versatile products they last longer and often have multiple uses. (Did you know: all of our care products are designed with multiple uses in postpartum and beyond - so there’s no waste or risk of not using.)
Catch some Zzz's (guilt-free!): Rest is paramount during pregnancy. Try a relaxing bedtime routine with an Epsom salt bath and a calming herbal tea. Invest in comfortable, natural bedding and create a serene sleep sanctuary (this is well worth the investment if you end up night feeding in bed!). Or, simply push your meetings back and give yourself permission to sleep in once or twice a week.
Self-care that doesn't require a subscription box: PSA: you don’t have to buy the latest self-care gadgets or apps! Focus on activities that truly nourish your soul. Light a candle or curl up with a good book. Self-care is all about doing what makes you feel good, mama (and it doesn’t have to cost a dime).
Embrace slow living: Resist the urge to over schedule yourself. Instead, focus on mindful moments throughout your day. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, savor a cup of herbal tea, or simply spend a few minutes each day connecting with your friends, partner and/or family. Prioritize what’s meaningful to you, and take a break from that never ending task list that builds throughout pregnancy.
Opt to include more clean food: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods that support both you and your baby. Experiment with new recipes or try your hand at baking. There are many good resources on clean eating for pregnant mamas (we recommend checking out the mediterranean diet that focuses on more plants and whole foods). Minimize your exposure to toxins by choosing natural and organic products whenever possible.
Practice Random Gifting: Surprise a friend (or yourself!) with a random “just because” gift.. A prenatal massage, a cozy night of popcorn & movies, or a donation to a charity close to your heart are all great options! (Psst... our Postpartum Care Kit is also a perfect gift of all natural recovery care.)
Make the switch to non-toxic living: Gradually replace toxic products with natural alternatives. (Household cleaners, beauty products, laundry and dish cleaning etc)
Be Present and Reduce Screen Time: Aim to reduce screen time and cultivate more mindful moments. Instead of texting try a video call, or good old fashioned phone call to catch up. Be gentle with yourself on this - screens are a hard habit to break, we get it!
The most important thing is to be realistic and not over-task yourself. Aspire to do just 1 thing on your list/ month, or maybe just 1 before the baby arrives. Remember, your pregnancy journey is unique to you!
Embrace the beauty of simplicity, prioritize self-care, and trust your intuition. You've got this, mama!