Tips for How to Practice Mindful Reflection

The last piece of how to rediscover yourself after marriage and motherhood is learning how to practice mindful reflection. Self reflection is how you continue to grow and improve long after working through the exercises in this series. The best way to do this easily is with your journal so make sure you have it handy.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

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[bctt tweet=”The last piece of how to rediscover yourself after marriage and motherhood is learning how to practice mindful reflection. Learn how with these tips!” username=”diyadulation”]

I whole-heartedly believe that mindful reflection is key to self awareness. Self awareness is something that I strive for daily. You can even ask my family, if I notice that I’m stressed out or tired and being extra snappy at everyone I apologize. Then, more importantly, I make a concerted effort to improve my attitude and my behavior.

That is not the only way that being self aware helps you, though. Self awareness is at the heart of everything you have worked on during this series. When you truly know yourself, enforcing your boundaries, treating yourself with love and respect, and growing as a person and a mom are all easier.

 

Hand Lettered Thankful on Wood Slice with text overlay - Practice Gratitude

Practice Gratitude

One of the best ways to practice mindful reflection is through gratitude. Focus on the things that you are thankful for in a deliberate way and do so daily. Gratitude changes your mindset which is important for mindful reflection without judgment. You want to reflect with a heart of compassion towards yourself.

Bonus:

This also helps improve your entire mood and outlook in general. Start your day with a quick gratitude practice and it sets the tone for your entire day.

Reflect on Your Goals

I do this every single month and it is so incredibly powerful. First, you have to set monthly goals. Then, at the end of each month, go over them noting which ones you accomplished and which ones you did not. Lastly, and most importantly, evaluate why you completed or didn’t complete your goals.

Be honest with yourself (no one’s going to see this anyway). Did you fail to complete a goal because you were lazy and didn’t work on it? Or, did you not complete it because your methods legitimately didn’t work. Dig into your results and adjust your plans for next month accordingly.

 

Woman Writing in Notebook with text overlay - Review Your Journal

Review Your Journal

Right now I want you to pull out your journal and look at your first few entries. If you worked through all of the exercises in this series, you likely don’t even recognize the woman who wrote those entries. That is the power of keeping a journal.

There will be times that you feel like you haven’t come as far as you want. In those moments, pull out your journal and take a look at just how far you have truly come on your journey.

You can also look for patterns in your thoughts and feelings. Do you notice that you get very sad or anxious after a particularly busy week? That can be a sign that you aren’t recharging like you should. If you struggle with depression, you can also use your journal to become aware of patterns in your dips. Your journal is a powerful, inexpensive tool to practice mindful reflection with.

Be in the Moment

Lastly, try being present in the moment. When you try to intentionally be in the moment you are automatically more aware of yourself. Think about it like this: it is recommended that you don’t do other things while eating because you are more prone to mindlessly eating and not recognizing cues that you are full.

The same goes for your emotions. If you are distracted during activities and conversations, you don’t notice when you are uncomfortable or boundaries are being crossed. Instead, the effects catch up with you later without you realizing the cause.

Additionally, being in the moment recaptures some of that childlike wonder. Kids aren’t worried about what has happened or what is coming. They are focused on what is happening right now. That means they feel everything deeply and passionately. Try to bring some of that passion into your daily life simply by choosing to be present in the moment.

 

Journal with Earrings and Pen on Top with text overlay - How to Practice Mindful Reflection

Practicing gratitude, reflecting on your goals, reviewing your journal regularly, and being present in the moment will help you continue on this journey you started 31 days ago. Now your know how to practice mindful reflection to for continued growth, confidence, and happiness.

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How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood Series

  1. Introduction
  2. Why All Moms Need a Journal
  3. Determine Your Why for Self Discovery
  4. Find Your Cheerleaders
  5. DIY Positive Affirmation Cards
  6. Create Your SAHM Hierarchy of Needs
  7. The Hard Truth About Carving Out Me Time
  8. 5 Awesome Podcasts to Inspire Self Discovery
  9. How to Love Yourself First
  10. Stop Reacting to Life and Live Proactive
  11. How to Set and Protect Boundaries as a Mom
  12. How Moms Can Stop Being People Pleasers
  13. Why It’s Okay to Outgrow Relationships
  14. It’s Time to Break-up with Yourself
  15. Create a Mini Mom Oasis for Recharging
  16. Why Moms Should Date Themselves + How to Do It
  17. How to Get Your Free Time Back as a SAHM
  18. Turn Someday into Today
  19. Why You Should Throw Out Your Clothes
  20. Rediscover Your Old Hobbies
  21. How to Find New Hobbies You Love
  22. How to Create a Daily Self Care Routine
  23. Shut Down Your Negative Self Talk
  24. How a Haircut Can Help You Find Yourself
  25. Make a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete
  26. Unique Alternative Ideas to Help You Find Yourself
  27. Why SAHM Need to Unplug Weekly
  28. 10 Mom Date Ideas You Can Do at Home
  29. 10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House
  30. Embracing Your Weird as a Mom
  31. How to Practice Mindful Reflection 

Start Embracing Your Weird as a Mom

Do you celebrate your eccentricities or do you hide them away in a corner of yourself? If you feel like you have to put on many different masks in your life then you aren’t being true to yourself. Find how to start embracing your weird as a mom and discover how freeing it is when you do!

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

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[bctt tweet=”How are you embracing your weird as a mom? Find out how to throw away the masks you put on and be unapologetically you for a happier and freer life.” username=”diyadulation”]

This is my absolute favorite part of this entire series. I want all of us to embrace our weird because it leads to a more interesting and fun world to live in. To quote Alice, “The best people are.”

 

Baby in kitchen sink with text overlay - Little Weirdo

Little Weirdo

I realized at a very young age that I was never going to be what society considers “normal” and it upset me. We couldn’t afford the cool clothes or the latest gadgets and I was teased endlessly throughout most of grade school.

Then one day I simply made the decision that if I couldn’t be cool then I was going to be me. The messy, quirky me that evolves daily. All of it has led to the weird mash-up of a woman that I am today.

More importantly, I am teaching my kids the importance of being yourself. Frankly, I think I’m a pretty cool person and if you don’t like me then you’re not my people. That’s cool. There are other people out there for you.

When you take that stance in life, it becomes amazingly free. That’s why I’m such an advocate for embracing your weird as a mom.

 

Linked Plastic Monkeys with text overlay - Like What You Like

Like What You Like

You don’t need an excuse or to explain yourself when you like something. For example, I will totally admit that I like some of Justin Beiber’s songs. I don’t owe any explanation to people about it. The same goes for you. If you find yourself qualifying your reasons behind why you read romance or listen to gangster rap, then you aren’t owning it.

When you catch yourself giving a reason for something you like think about whether it is a qualifying statement or not. Here is the difference:

Healthy Conversation:

Qualifying Excuse:

 

Hands Holding Black Mask with text overlay - Throw Away the Mask

Throw Away the Mask

How often do you put on a mask for people? When you don’t feel up to par and still feel the need to put on a smile and get through it. Do you behave differently with different groups of friends? These are all situations that you are putting on the mask.

Part of embracing your weird as a mom means learning to throw the masks away. Don’t be something you’re not for people. For starters, it prevents you from creating meaningful relationships. Furthermore, it also is draining and can potentially lead to physical illness if you do it frequently enough.

Read more about wearing masks in your life here.

Note:

Beware of Perceptions

I’ve referenced this before but it’s important to remember the Looking Glass Self when embracing your weird. Essentially, this is the psychological theory that you form your sense of self based on what you think people think of you (even if it isn’t even correct). That’s why it’s so important to beware of your perceptions.

The easiest way to do this is to simply not care what others think of you. However, if you struggle with that, try reminding yourself that your perception of what people are thinking about you is more than likely incorrect. That will help tame some of those destructive thoughts that can lead to inauthentic behavior changes.

Make a List

You know how much I love lists and this is yet another exercise in which it is useful. Pull out that beautiful journal and write down everything you love about yourself. This can literally be anything.

Example:

Admittedly this is a very short list to provide you with an example. I recommend coming up with at least 15 things that you absolutely love about yourself. This makes it easy to gauge when you aren’t being true to yourself and embracing your weird as a mom.

For example, if I ever met someone who hated Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I said, “Yeah, it’s okay.” (Okay, I’d totally never say that, I’d try to convince you why it’s awesome.) In that example though, I immediately know that I’m being a people pleaser instead of being me. When you write it all down you notice things that you might not have otherwise.

 

Be Happy Sign on White Wall with text overlay - Flip the Script

Flip the Script

This is my absolute favorite and one that I am happily teaching my tiny humans to embrace as well. In our family, it’s totally a compliment to call someone weird. Why? Because if you’re weird then that means you’re being true to yourself. People who don’t seem weird are either lying or never got a chance to learn about themselves. Either way it’s truly sad.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I had the BEST conversation with my 9 year old recently that truly swelled my momma heart with pride. He told me that he had gotten in trouble at school because he called someone weird and they told the teacher on him. I didn’t even know this had happened.

It led to him telling me that when his friends get upset about someone calling them a name or other hurtful thing, he reminds them that just because someone says it doesn’t make it true. Hello my minivan analogy! Calling a minivan a sports car doesn’t magically change it into one.

That is what embracing your weird is all about. You should see the looks on people’s faces when they call you weird and you just smile a huge grin and say, “Thank you!” It is fantastic. Don’t believe me? Try it sometime. Furthermore, it doesn’t take long for the people you care about to catch on and soon it becomes a term of endearment instead of chastising.

 

Woman Sticking Her Tongue Out with text overlay - Start Embracing Your Weird as a Mom

How are you embracing your weird as a mom? I hope you are convinced to throw away the masks you put on and be unapologetically you. You will be happier, freer, and you’ll teach your kids the importance of being true to who they are (a trait that can help them through the hard teenage years, for sure).

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Woman Sticking Her Tongue Out with text overlay - Start Embracing Your Weird as a Mom

 

How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood Series

  1. Introduction
  2. Why All Moms Need a Journal
  3. Determine Your Why for Self Discovery
  4. Find Your Cheerleaders
  5. DIY Positive Affirmation Cards
  6. Create Your SAHM Hierarchy of Needs
  7. The Hard Truth About Carving Out Me Time
  8. 5 Awesome Podcasts to Inspire Self Discovery
  9. How to Love Yourself First
  10. Stop Reacting to Life and Live Proactive
  11. How to Set and Protect Boundaries as a Mom
  12. How Moms Can Stop Being People Pleasers
  13. Why It’s Okay to Outgrow Relationships
  14. It’s Time to Break-up with Yourself
  15. Create a Mini Mom Oasis for Recharging
  16. Why Moms Should Date Themselves + How to Do It
  17. How to Get Your Free Time Back as a SAHM
  18. Turn Someday into Today
  19. Why You Should Throw Out Your Clothes
  20. Rediscover Your Old Hobbies
  21. How to Find New Hobbies You Love
  22. How to Create a Daily Self Care Routine
  23. Shut Down Your Negative Self Talk
  24. How a Haircut Can Help You Find Yourself
  25. Make a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete
  26. Unique Alternative Ideas to Help You Find Yourself
  27. Why SAHM Need to Unplug Weekly
  28. 10 Mom Date Ideas You Can Do at Home
  29. 10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House
  30. Embracing Your Weird as a Mom
  31. How to Practice Mindful Reflection 

 

10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House

Unless we are running errands or taxiing the kids, stay-at-home moms don’t get out of the house as much as they should. That’s why you need to change it up and make a point to enjoy some of these 10 mom date ideas to get out of the house. You will feel more refreshed and be less tempted to get distracted by chores or parenting tasks.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

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[bctt tweet=”Check out these 10 mom date ideas to get out of the house once a month. You’ll feel more refreshed and more energized for your day-to-day life!” username=”diyadulation”]

Full disclosure, I’m not great about date nights out. Other than the crops I schedule throughout the year, I don’t do much outside of the house by myself.

It’s not that I don’t do things, but if I go to the movies or see a concert it is with friends. Going on dates by yourself takes practice and intention. Luckily, with this list I now have motivation to try some things alone. Hopefully you will be inspired too.

 

Painting in Progress with text overlay - Paint and Sip Event

Paint and Sip Event

I have done one of these alone and with a large group of friends. (You can read about the experience here.)These are so much fun and perfect when you want to get creative but need a little guidance. You can pick your class ahead of time so that you know the painting is something you like.

At the end of the night, you’ll feel recharged and have an awesome new piece of artwork for your home.

See a Movie

The beauty of hitting a movie by yourself is that you can see any guilty pleasure you want and you don’t have to share the snacks. Hello bucket of popcorn! It’s also great because it forces you to disconnect from your phone for a couple of hours. This is exactly what moms need sometimes.

 

Empty Table Overlooking City with text overlay - Enjoy Dinner Alone

Enjoy Dinner Alone

Have you ever actually sat and enjoyed a meal by yourself? Treat yourself to a dinner that you don’t have to cook at your favorite restaurant. Don’t forget to save room for dessert while you’re out.

Play Games at an Arcade

Get in touch with your inner child and hit the arcade one night. Try different types of games to see what you like. For example, I’m not big on shooter games but there is an Amazon one with giant bugs and stuff that is always so much fun. You don’t know until you try.

At the end of the night, don’t forget to spend your points on something fun at the ticket counter. You can’t go wrong with fun glasses and squishy toys!

 

Scrapbook Supplies with text overlay - Attend a Crop

Attend a Crop

As I’ve said before, crops are great for scrapbookers and stampers. Many schools and churches host these events for charity so the money goes to a good cause. For around $50 you get 9 hours of paper crafting, 2 meals, and fun giveaways. I cannot recommend these enough.

Head to the Library and Read

How many times do you pick up a book only to reread the same sentence 20 times because the kiddos and your husband keep distracting you? Get some quality, uninterrupted book time by heading to the library. Find a comfy chair and kick back with a great book.

 

Creepy House at Night with text overlay - Local Ghost Tour

Go on a Local Ghost Tour

Get your chills and thrills fix by taking a local ghost tour. You learn more about your city in the process which is super fun too. Don’t forget your camera when you go. A lot of tours encourage you to take photos at certain locations to try and capture orbs and other anomalies.

Ice Skating or Roller Skating

If you have an indoor roller rink or ice rink near you, check them out. Lace up your skates and go sailing across the rink for a fun and active date night. Don’t worry about looking like a fool. If you fall, get back up and try again. Remember, you’re doing this for you and it’s meant to be fun.

 

Red Curtain on Stage with text overlay - See a Play

See a Play

A play is another great date night to try out. See a musical you’ve always wanted to check out. If you’re on a budget look for plays or musicals at local high schools or colleges. This is a great frugal alternative to expensive shows downtown.

You can also look into local theater troops for excellent shows that fit within your budget. There are plenty of options to find a show you’re interested in at a price you can afford.

Grab Dessert

Instead of getting an entire meal, just grab some dessert. Hit a fancy ice cream parlor or a specialty bakery and grab a decadent dessert for one. The bonus here is that you don’t have to share bites with tiny humans. When is the last time that happened?

 

Blue Sequined Dinosaur Toy with text overlay - 10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House

When you make it a point to get out of the house for a mom date once a month you will find yourself more refreshed and more energized. Start with these 10 mom date ideas to get out of the house then begin coming up with your own. This is a great place to work on your bucket list. Turn some of the items on it into date nights with yourself and don’t forget to check them off when you get home!

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Blue Sequined Dinosaur Toy with text overlay - 10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House

 

How to Rediscover Yourself After Marriage and Motherhood Series

  1. Introduction
  2. Why All Moms Need a Journal
  3. Determine Your Why for Self Discovery
  4. Find Your Cheerleaders
  5. DIY Positive Affirmation Cards
  6. Create Your SAHM Hierarchy of Needs
  7. The Hard Truth About Carving Out Me Time
  8. 5 Awesome Podcasts to Inspire Self Discovery
  9. How to Love Yourself First
  10. Stop Reacting to Life and Live Proactive
  11. How to Set and Protect Boundaries as a Mom
  12. How Moms Can Stop Being People Pleasers
  13. Why It’s Okay to Outgrow Relationships
  14. It’s Time to Break-up with Yourself
  15. Create a Mini Mom Oasis for Recharging
  16. Why Moms Should Date Themselves + How to Do It
  17. How to Get Your Free Time Back as a SAHM
  18. Turn Someday into Today
  19. Why You Should Throw Out Your Clothes
  20. Rediscover Your Old Hobbies
  21. How to Find New Hobbies You Love
  22. How to Create a Daily Self Care Routine
  23. Shut Down Your Negative Self Talk
  24. How a Haircut Can Help You Find Yourself
  25. Make a Bucket List You’ll Actually Complete
  26. Unique Alternative Ideas to Help You Find Yourself
  27. Why SAHM Need to Unplug Weekly
  28. 10 Mom Date Ideas You Can Do at Home
  29. 10 Mom Date Ideas to Get Out of the House
  30. Embracing Your Weird as a Mom
  31. How to Practice Mindful Reflection