There are several little habits I try to do daily; they really help me without me even realizing I’m putting the work in.
For Health
- Eat until you are full, then STOP, even if that means leaving food on your plate. I come from a family where you didn’t leave the table until your plate was cleared. It created a complicated relationship between me and food.
- Set a goal to move every day and accomplish it. Luckily, I have an Apple watch that keeps track for me.
- Take a daily vitamin. Something I am notoriously bad at, but after being sick several times, I am starting to see the appeal.
- If you’re having trouble with motivation getting to the gym or exercising, pick a show you enjoy watching, and only watch it when you are at the gym or exercising.
- Set some time for yourself, even if it is minimal. In our house, my husband works long hours during the week and has three days off for the weekend. Out of those three days, he will watch our son while I have time to do what’s needed, the other day I watch our son, and the third day, luckily, is Grandma day. We take Grandma’s day as an opportunity to go to the gym together and we plan family activities whenever we have a chance to do them, which usually ends up being Saturdays.
For Finances
- Put money (insert pre-determined amount here) out of every paycheck in a child’s saving account. We do $5 because it will add up over time and we don’t even notice it – we had the benefit of starting early. Because our son is still so young, we add any birthday money in there as well.
- Shop sales. If you’re like me and love to shop, it can become and expensive hobby. Shopping sales and outlets is the best way to shop and save money. That being said, there is of course a time when shopping shouldn’t happen.
For Entertainment
- If you have to do a lot of driving, listen to audio books or podcasts in the car. As moms, we have very little free time, so the car is prime opportunity to catch up.
For Cleaning and Organizing 
- Always keep the kitchen counters clear, clean, and without clutter. This was something I learned from another Knoxville mom. She said even if the rest of your house is a mess, when the counters are clean, it makes your house feel cleaner — so very true!
- When cleaning up a large space in your home, start and finish one room at a time. If you’re someone who gets distracted while cleaning and doesn’t finish, take a 15-minute or so break after completing a room.
- Make to-do lists! One of the most rewarding things is checking something off a to-do list! Yes, I add a couple things like “make to-do list” so I have something to check off right away. Give yourself a little reward when you complete the list!
- Come up with a cleaning schedule. For example:
- Monday: Kitchen/Dinning Room
- Tuesday: Bathrooms
- Wednesday: Bedroom(s)
- Thursday: Living Room
- Friday: Declutter from the week
- Saturday: Laundry, ugh!
- Sunday: Day of rest
Bonus!
Give yourself little rewards here and there. I am a big believer in giving yourself tiny rewards. Motherhood is often a job that comes with few thank yous. Sometimes it can be hard, but that’s the job right? So, I try to take little opportunities to give myself little rewards. Generally, I like getting myself and my son awake, ready, and out the door on time for his weekly appointments, usually followed by a little Starbucks trip for me. It is something small, but it is often a little pick-me-up after the chaos of the morning.
Whether it is Starbucks, a few extra minutes scrolling through your phone, a glass of wine, a little dessert, or whatever it may be, give yourself some love every now and again.
