Your Well-Being is a Blessing to Your Family
Mothers are givers. It’s what we do.
We give our time, our energy, our sleep, our bodies, our hearts. We pour ourselves out, often without even thinking twice—because love compels us. But here’s the quiet truth many of us miss: even the most generous well runs dry without being refilled. And refilling isn’t selfish. It’s wise. It’s holy. It’s necessary. This post is your permission slip, friend. It’s a reminder that taking care of yourself isn’t an act of rebellion against your calling as a mom—it’s a way to live it out more fully, with joy, strength, and presence.
But what does “taking care of yourself” really mean? Especially if you have small ones running around. Let’s explore that today.
When I was a relatively new mom with three little kids, I’d see women in their spandex workout clothes and think, “What bad mothers.”
I, on the other hand, was a good mom because I was home. I was taking care of my kids.
Never mind that I was overwhelmed, exhausted, short-tempered, and uncomfortable in my body. I believed that being a “good Catholic mom” meant sacrifice. It meant giving myself up.
So I kept plowing forward, pushing through.
But something shifted.
I watched a friend—who had been living a version of my life—begin to take care of herself. She started eating better, exercising on purpose, and carving out time just for her. She lost weight, yes. But the real change? She was happy. She was joyful. Being with her was like being with light. She shone.
That’s when it hit me: self-care wasn’t selfish. It was transformational.
I had always seen self-care as frivolous—something women did when they didn’t care enough about their kids. But through her example, I began to see that when she took care of herself, there was more to give. More joy. More energy. More presence.
So I started dipping my toes into it, too.
It was slow. It was messy. But I began to see that when I focused on myself—even just for a few minutes—I became better. Kinder. Less resentful. More grounded. Happier.
Looking back, I wish I had let self-care be the structure of my life earlier on—something that brought rhythm, peace, and balance to my days.
If you're a mom in the thick of it with littles running around, I know self-care might sound laughable. But listen—I'm not talking about spa days and solo vacations. You don’t even have to leave your house. You can start adding small, daily practices that breathe life back into your soul.
Because if you're not getting filled up, what are you pouring out?
Every aspect of my life back then was tapped out. I wasn’t sleeping enough. My toddlers were normal toddlers—wild, irrational, loud. And I kept scraping water from the bottom of a dry, cracked well.
There was not a lot of joy. Just the grind.
Eventually, I realized: something had to give. So I started doing small things that nurtured me. I'd read a spiritual book while nursing. I’d ask my husband to watch the kids while I took a walk. I would go to a movie with a friend. (And on Mother’s Day weekend, I’d plan an outing for myself with friends.)
One of the biggest shifts? Getting up before my kids—just to be still. Sometimes I’d pray. Other times I’d just sit. But slowly, the spring inside me started to fill again.
Some days, it felt like a full pitcher. Other days, just a tiny glass. But either way—it was something. It was mine.
At that stage, I wasn’t called to be out leading groups or building programs. I was called to water my own little patch of flowers. And that was enough.
So if you're in survival mode, give yourself permission to get your reserves filled. Pour that nourishment into your family. And as your kids grow and need you less for the basics, you’ll naturally have more to give outside your home.
But it starts with you.
Whether you're in the baby stage, the teen stage, or the launching-them-out-into-the-world stage, one thing never changes:
You must take time for yourself.
A major part of raising strong, grounded kids—especially daughters—is modeling what it looks like to care for your soul, your body, your spirit.
So let’s make it practical.
Take out a piece of paper and jot down a list:
What brings you joy?
What gives you energy?
What fills your spirit?
This isn’t about tasks. This is about what feels good in the moment—what breathes life into you.
Here’s my current list:
Expressing my thoughts, developing them into a post
Sitting on my porch swing in the early evening
Making an Americano for myself in the morning with nondairy creamer
Spending time in deep prayer
Walking into a library, browsing, and finding a new read
Slowly meditating on the rosary
Riding my bike on a nearby trail
Lifting heavy weights and watching my body grow stronger
Sitting alone in a dry sauna
Watching my secret favorite movie, Burnt, while prepping food
Journaling—it feels like talking to a best friend
Listening to smooth jazz in my kitchen
Hearing the pitter-patter of grandchildren rushing in and yelling, “Grandma!”
Sharing coffee and conversation with my best friends
Talking deeply with my husband
Enjoying passionate, joy-filled marital time with my husband
Taking long, candlelit Epsom salt baths
Playing ten-point pitch with just about anybody
Some things are simple. Some are sacred. All of them fill me up.
What fills you up? (I'd love to hear about them!)
Once you have your list, pick one to three things to do every single day. Small acts of self-care compound. They change how you show up—for yourself and for your family.
This isn’t selfish. It’s self-giving.
I once talked with a mom who rattled off her entire day’s schedule—every bit of it centered on her kids. She told me she had no time for herself.
So I asked her, gently:
Would you want your daughter to live this way when she’s grown?
That question lands, doesn’t it?
We are modeling what womanhood looks like. And I want my daughters—and sons—to know that it’s not only okay but glorious to take time for spiritual, physical, and emotional care.
We’ve misunderstood motherhood. We’ve made it about martyrdom. About doing the most. About winning some invisible competition.
But even Jesus—the ultimate giver—left the crowds to be filled, to pray, to rest.
And so should we.
So, sweet friend, take the time. Make your list. Post it where you’ll see it. Choose joy. Nurture yourself daily. Your family deserves the best version of you.
Love, Lori
P.S. You may already know that I’ve stepped into a new role as a wellness coach—and honestly, it fits me like a glove. Why? Because I get to walk alongside women who are ready to care for themselves on purpose. And I love self-care.
The self-care I am talking about is rooted in nutrition—removing processed foods and adding in whole, life-giving nourishment. Once that foundation is strong, we build strength—literally—by lifting weights and honoring these incredible bodies we’ve been given.
So if you’re feeling that nudge… that “something has to change” whisper in your soul, I’d love to invite you into my next round of The FASTer Way to Fat Loss, starting May 19.
It’s the perfect gift to give yourself—one that nourishes your body, mind, and spirit with intention and grace. You’ll be supported, encouraged, and surrounded by women just like you, creating habits that last. We also have a coupon code for the month: MAY50 will get you fifty dollars off!
Come join us. Let’s do this—the FASTer Way. 💛