How My Client Reminded Me of the Importance of Self-Care

I know what you're probably thinking: Shouldn't I be the one reminding my clients about the importance of self-care?

And you'd be right. It's something I talk about often.

Everyone deserves self-care, but I think it's especially important during pregnancy, postpartum, and the parenting journey. We get so caught up caring for everyone else that we forget to care for ourselves.

Although doulas sometimes seem superhuman, I promise we're not.

About a month and a half ago, I had the absolute pleasure of supporting an amazing family as they welcomed their sweet baby into the world.

What made this journey extra special was that this mama found me before she even saw those two little lines on a pregnancy test. Throughout her journey, she'd message me with questions about pregnancy, birth, and doula care. Other times, we'd simply chat like we'd been friends forever.

Being able to build that relationship long before her baby arrived was such a gift. (Thankfully, it didn't take her very long to get pregnant!)

During her birth, she surprised me with the most beautiful, softest blanket I've ever owned. She had crocheted every single stitch by hand.

Now, any handmade gift is incredibly special. But a handmade gift that someone poured their time and love into during pregnancy feels even more meaningful. Knowing she spent precious moments of her pregnancy creating something just for me absolutely melted my heart.

Her act of kindness reminded me of something I had forgotten.

I love crocheting, too.

It might sound silly to need a reminder about something you genuinely enjoy, but life gets busy. Between work, family, and all the responsibilities that come with motherhood, those little hobbies that once brought us joy often get pushed aside.

So I dug out my crochet hooks, found my tub of yarn, and started creating again.

In those quiet mornings before my children woke up, stitch by stitch, I realized just how much I'd missed it.

More importantly, I realized how much I'd missed doing something just for me.

Creating with my hands filled a part of my heart that I didn't even realize had been running on empty. Those peaceful moments with my yarn and hook weren't just about making something beautiful. They were about slowing down, breathing, and filling my own cup.

It was the reminder I didn't know I needed.

Whether you're growing a baby, recovering from birth, or chasing little ones around the house, you deserve moments that are just yours. Self-care doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive. It just has to refill your cup.

So here's my challenge for you.

Do something that's just for you.

Read the book. Take the walk. Crochet the blanket. Garden. Bake. Dance in your kitchen. Whatever makes your heart smile, make time for it.

Because taking care of yourself isn't selfish, it's necessary. When your cup is full, you're able to pour into the people you love from a place of abundance instead of exhaustion.

And if you do accept the challenge, I'd love to hear about it.

Come back and leave a comment telling me what you did to fill your cup. I can't wait to celebrate your little moment of self-care with you.