WellWithSamantha

Tag: wellness for single moms

  • 5 Self-Care Habits That Changed My Life as a Solo Parent

    When you’re raising kids on your own, self-care can feel like a luxury — or worse, impossible.

    For a long time, I believed I didn’t have time, energy, or even the right to focus on myself. But the truth? Burnout was silently stealing my joy, my patience, and my health.

    I didn’t need a spa day or a silent retreat. I just needed a few small, intentional habits that reminded me I matter, too.

    Here are 5 self-care habits that truly changed my life as a solo parent:

    1. 10 Minutes of Movement (Even in Pajamas)

    I stopped aiming for hour-long workouts and started moving my body for just 10 minutes a day.

    Stretching, a quick yoga flow next to my bed, a ride on my Peloton — whatever felt doable. Movement became less about “fitness” and more about releasing stress and reconnecting with myself.

    Bonus: My girls often join in. It turns into a mini bonding moment instead of a chore.

    2. Creating a “No List” Without Guilt

    This was hard but powerful. I wrote down things I can’t give my time or energy to right now — even if they seem “normal” or expected.

    That included:

    -Hosting playdates I don’t enjoy -Overcommitting to school events -Responding to texts immediately

    Saying “no” is hard, but it gave me space to say “yes” to things that actually refuel me.

    3. Protecting My Morning Peace

    I don’t wake up at 5am. But I do wake up 15 minutes before my child, just to sit, sip tea, journal, or stretch in silence.

    That tiny window of quiet time sets the tone for my whole day. No phone, no emails, no noise — just me.

    Some mornings it’s peaceful. Others it’s a rushed 4 minutes. But I still claim it.

    4. Weekly Check-Ins With Myself

    Every Sunday night, I ask myself:

    What drained me this week? What filled me up? What do I need more of?

    This check-in helps me course-correct. Some weeks I need more rest. Some, more connection. Self-care became easier when I started actually listening to what I needed — not what someone on the internet told me to do.

    5. Letting Go of “All or Nothing” Thinking

    I used to think if I couldn’t do self-care perfectly, it didn’t count.

    No time for a full workout? Skip it.

    Too tired to journal a whole page? Don’t bother.

    Now, I do what I can, when I can.

    5 minutes of yoga. 2 lines in my journal. One deep breath in the bathroom while my kid watches cartoons.

    And guess what? That counts.

    Final Thoughts

    Being a solo parent is demanding — emotionally, physically, and mentally. But you deserve care just as much as anyone else in your life.

    Start small. Choose one habit. Give yourself permission to show up for you.

    You don’t have to do it all. You just have to start.

    Because when you care for yourself, you parent from a place of strength — not survival.

    Do you have a favorite self-care tip that was not mentioned here? I’d love to hear from you!

    @wellwithsamantha

  • My Morning Routine as a Solo Parent (That Doesn’t Involve Waking Up at 5 AM)

    Let’s be honest — when you’re parenting solo, mornings can feel like a chaotic blur of cereal spills, last-minute sock hunts, and “where’s your backpack?” drama. For a long time, I dreaded the mornings. They felt rushed, stressful, and like I was already behind before the day even started.

    But something shifted when I stopped chasing a “perfect” morning routine and started creating one that actually worked for me.

    Here’s what my mornings look like now — not Instagram-perfect, but peaceful enough to keep me sane.

    1. I Give Myself 15 Minutes Before the House Wakes Up

    Not an hour. Not a full sunrise yoga session. Just 15 quiet minutes.

    Sometimes it’s breathwork, sometimes it’s stretching, sometimes I just sit with my tea and stare out the window in complete silence. And that’s enough.

    The rule: No phone, no scrolling. This time is mine.

    2. I Prep Just One Thing the Night Before

    I used to try to prep everything — outfits, lunches, to-do lists. But that overwhelmed me even more. Now I ask, “What’s one thing I can do tonight that’ll make tomorrow easier?”

    Some days that’s laying out my clothes. Other days, it’s setting the table or making sure the coffee is ready. One small prep step = less chaos in the morning.

    3. I Keep Breakfast Simple and Stress-Free

    Gone are the days of guilt over Pinterest-worthy breakfasts. I rotate between 3 go-to options: fruit and yogurt, toast and eggs, or a protein bar. That’s it. Less decision-making, fewer dishes, and less stress. The girls eat the school breakfast. Sometimes I will make them a bagel for the car ride.

    4. I Use a Mini Mantra (For Me, Not Them)

    Before the day really starts, I say a mantra. Not out loud (though sometimes I whisper it). Something like:

    “Today, I’ll respond, not react.” “I am steady even when things are messy.” “I don’t have to do it all to be enough.”

    It grounds me — and keeps me from losing it when someone spills milk on my only clean pants.

    5. I Accept That Some Mornings Will Be a Mess

    The biggest change? I stopped expecting every morning to be smooth.

    Some days we’re late. Some days there are tantrums. Some days I lose my cool. But I’m learning to let it go and start fresh each day — without the shame spiral.

    Final Thoughts

    You don’t need a color-coded checklist or a 5 AM alarm to have a better morning.

    You just need a few quiet moments, a little prep, and a whole lot of grace.

    If you’re a solo parent figuring this out one day at a time — I see you.

    You’re doing better than you think.

    Is there anything you can add to this list? I’d love to hear from you. Leave it in the comments below!