The No-BS Guide to Self-Care for Parents with Zero Time
Because self-care isn’t a spa day — it’s sneaking in sanity between snack requests and sibling drama.
WHAT REAL SELF-CARE LOOKS LIKE IN A FULL HOUSEHOLD
Self-care gets a lot of airtime — but is it really for us?
We see it everywhere: spa days, bubble baths, serene yoga poses on a mountaintop. Everything looks calm, the lighting is perfect, and the towels are always white.
But if your household looks more like snack wrappers, laundry piles, emotional rollercoasters, and a toddler yelling “I’m DONE!” from the bathroom… that version of self-care can feel like a distant fantasy.
THE “INSTAGRAM SELF-CARE” IS NOT THE WHOLE STORY
We’ve all seen those perfectly curated posts. The ads telling us that the right candle, serum, journal, or retreat will fix everything.
And sure, who doesn’t love the idea of a bath bomb and two uninterrupted hours to recharge? But here’s the truth: for most parents, those moments don’t reflect real life.
Because even when you sneak away to fill up that tub, someone’s probably going to knock on the door, come in anyway, and want to talk about Legos or snacks.
THE PRESSURE TO DO “PERFECT” SELF-CARE? LET’S DROP THAT
Trying to do self-care the “right way” — perfectly quiet, beautifully staged, soft music playing — just adds more stress to an already full plate.
Here’s a different way to think about self-care:
Self-care isn’t something you escape to.
It’s not a reward or a prize for checking all the boxes.
Self-care is something you build into your messy, imperfect life.
HERE’S WHAT REAL SELF-CARE CAN LOOK LIKE RIGHT NOW, EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE
💥 Putting your phone down and dancing it out with your kid
Sometimes the best way to shake off stress is to literally shake it off. One song. Two bodies moving. Big smiles. That’s connection and care.
💥 Making a smoothie instead of skipping lunch
Fueling your body doesn’t have to be complicated — just consistent. You deserve nourishment, even if you’re blending it one-handed while answering questions about sharks.
💥 Doing a 10-minute stretch in your pajamas
No gym. No mat. No performance. Just you, your breath, and a few quiet moments to come back to yourself.
💥 Saying no to something you really don’t want to do
Boundaries are one of the most radical forms of self-care. You’re not being selfish — you’re being honest.
💥 Opening the Make Me Awesome app and pressing play on one feel-good workout
Even five minutes counts. You don’t need an hour. You just need to start. Movement is medicine — and it travels with you.
AND HERE’S THE REAL MAGIC
Every time you choose yourself in these tiny, meaningful ways — that’s self-care.
Every time you listen to what you need, even just a little bit — that’s strength.
Self-care isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about creating pockets of peace in the chaos.
It’s about reminding yourself, “I matter too,” in a way that feels possible, not pressured.
FORGET THE PRESSURE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE AN AD
Forget the perfectly folded towel on the edge of the tub.
Real self-care is:
💥 Taking the deep breath before you answer
💥 Leaving the dishes for a minute to step outside and feel the sun
💥 Laughing instead of losing it when everything’s a mess
💥 Asking for help — and letting it land
You don’t need a spa day.
You don’t need a plan.
You just need a moment.
THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE
💥 Pick one way to show up for yourself — and actually do it. Find something in the Make Me Awesome app that speaks to your soul or sanity — a meditation, a quick workout, or even just a moment to breathe. Nothing’s too small — from taking a deep breath to finally brushing your teeth from last night. It all counts, it all adds up, and it’s all Awesome.
💥 Celebrate your wins with other superhero parents! Jump into the Awesome Squad chat and don’t hold back! Whether it’s “I actually changed out of my pjs today” or “I drank water before coffee,” every win counts.
Be sure to tag @TeamAwesome — we’re love cheering for you every step you take!