It’s hard enough to balance the time for work and family, what else could be left for yourself? As a working mom, the idea of prioritizing your wants and needs might sound alien.

But slowing down is essential—especially for a responsibility that requires so much giving. It doesn’t have to be a big move or gesture to start, though. Here are some tips that can guide you one step at a time to practice self-love—from one working mom to another. 

This blog shares my personal journey of finding myself disconnected from my body. I explain how I found the tools and practices that brought me back into a loving, compassionate relationship with myself. These tools have created new neural pathways to offer a greater sense of mindfulness and less performance-driven anxiety, so I can show up as a better wife, mother, and friend, even to myself.

Self-love is the basis for an abundant, fulfilling life, as well as the ability to love others unconditionally. When self-love, self-esteem or self-worth are lacking, this can result in a lack of trust in relationships, a scarcity mindset around finances, work that is unfulfilling or begrudging, and a lack of feeling you have control in your life. It is not selfish to love yourself. When you do, you feel a deeper sense of contentment, no longer needing to fill yourself with all the goods and purchases that marketing experts want us to buy to try and fill the void of self-loathing.

It’s not a sign of weakness to seek out ways to know yourself, heal old wounds, and find a balance in life that doesn’t leave you feeling depleted. Your longest relationship in your entire life is with yourself. Once you’ve learned to manage this relationship well, then you’ll be able to healthily manage your relationships with others. In order to move forward, you may need to start by reflecting.

The following are a list of questions that will help you move into a new year with a sense of knowledge, understanding, and purpose. In order to move forward with greater intention and wisdom, take a few minutes, grab a journal and pen, or open a new word doc, get cozy, and r e f l e c t.

My friend and guest writer Beth Kelly explores thoughts around alcohol consumption, societal norms, self-love and growth. She has a fantastic gift of turning a perspective and pushing you to look from a different angle. And, always, asks the hard questions to get to the root of an issue.

I recently hosted another Women’s Wellness Retreat in Scottsdale, AZ. As I look back at what we experienced, the expressions that participants shared, and what each of us are taking home with us, several important truths surface around the practices that healed us.

We all have access to this part of ourselves that helps to develop the muscle of trusting the guiding voice within. The inner mentor is one tool that can help us to find our voice, stand in our power, and trust that we can reach our goals, even when we make mistakes.

The following are 8 ways to develop a deeper level of self-trust.

We are highly skilled at giving compassion to others, but when it comes to self-compassion, we fall short! Let’s discuss why we are so hard on ourselves and how to adjust to self-love again.