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How to Treat Yourself Like a MUTHA

published 23 APRIL 2025

MUTHA STAFF WRITER

You show up. Every day. For the people who need you, for the things that can’t wait, for the appointments, the messes, the wins, the meltdowns.And most days, you make it look easy. (Even though we both know it isn’t.)But here’s the thing: showing up for everyone else doesn’t mean disappearing in the process. You don’t have to earn rest. Or care. Or softness.So here’s your reminder — and your permission slip — to treat yourself like the MUTHA you are. Here’s how to start:
woman taking bath and reading book. Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-reading-book-on-bathtub-4156300/

1

Give yourself the kind of grace you give your kid’s teacher.
You know — the one who forgot to email back but still shows up with stickers and patience. You don’t judge her. You don’t demand perfection. So why hold yourself to it?Start the day over at 3pm if you need to. Order takeout. Be late. Skip the to-do list. You’re allowed.
2

Make space for your own rituals. Not just theirs.

You’ve got bedtime routines down to a science. But what’s yours?Find your version of a wind-down. A book. A serum. A bath. Five minutes to lie down and do absolutely nothing. It doesn’t have to be performative. It just has to be yours.
woman dry brushing next to bath. Photo by Yan Krukau: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-a-woman-using-a-brush-on-her-legs-7020252/

3

Touch your own skin like it belongs to someone you love.

You lotion your kid’s legs. You rub their back when they can’t sleep. You clean scraped knees like they’re gold.When’s the last time you treated your own body with that kind of attention?This isn’t about indulgence. It’s about respect. Your skin carries your story. Show it love.

4

Unsubscribe from “guilty pleasure” language.

It’s not a guilty pleasure. It’s just pleasure.The show you rewatch for the fourth time? The mid-day scroll? The little luxury you keep hidden in the back of the bathroom drawer? That’s joy. And joy doesn’t require justification.
Tire woman. Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@adrian_infernus?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Adrian Infernus</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-black-and-white-photo-of-a-woman-laying-on-a-bed-stNHa6bMGGg?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>

5

Ask: “What would I want for her?”

If your daughter, your friend, your younger self came to you saying “I’m so tired,” what would you tell her?Now tell it to yourself.Say it out loud. Then act on it.
There’s no one way to be a MUTHA. But we know this much: you can’t pour from an empty cup. And refilling yours isn’t a luxury — it’s a legacy.So tonight, tomorrow, whenever you need it — treat yourself like the one who does the treating.Because you deserve to melt, too.

< BACK TO BLOG

How to Treat Yourself Like a MUTHA

published 23 APRIL 2025

MUTHA STAFF WRITER

You show up. Every day. For the people who need you, for the things that can’t wait, for the appointments, the messes, the wins, the meltdowns.And most days, you make it look easy. (Even though we both know it isn’t.)But here’s the thing: showing up for everyone else doesn’t mean disappearing in the process. You don’t have to earn rest. Or care. Or softness.So here’s your reminder — and your permission slip — to treat yourself like the MUTHA you are. Here’s how to start:
woman taking bath and reading book. Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-reading-book-on-bathtub-4156300/

1

Give yourself the kind of grace you give your kid’s teacher.
You know — the one who forgot to email back but still shows up with stickers and patience. You don’t judge her. You don’t demand perfection. So why hold yourself to it?Start the day over at 3pm if you need to. Order takeout. Be late. Skip the to-do list. You’re allowed.
2

Make space for your own rituals. Not just theirs.

You’ve got bedtime routines down to a science. But what’s yours?Find your version of a wind-down. A book. A serum. A bath. Five minutes to lie down and do absolutely nothing. It doesn’t have to be performative. It just has to be yours.

3

Touch your own skin like it belongs to someone you love.

You lotion your kid’s legs. You rub their back when they can’t sleep. You clean scraped knees like they’re gold.When’s the last time you treated your own body with that kind of attention?This isn’t about indulgence. It’s about respect. Your skin carries your story. Show it love.

4

Unsubscribe from “guilty pleasure” language.

It’s not a guilty pleasure. It’s just pleasure.The show you rewatch for the fourth time? The mid-day scroll? The little luxury you keep hidden in the back of the bathroom drawer? That’s joy. And joy doesn’t require justification.
woman dry brushing next to bath. Photo by Yan Krukau: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-a-woman-using-a-brush-on-her-legs-7020252/
Tire woman. Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@adrian_infernus?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Adrian Infernus</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-black-and-white-photo-of-a-woman-laying-on-a-bed-stNHa6bMGGg?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>

5

Ask: “What would I want for her?”

If your daughter, your friend, your younger self came to you saying “I’m so tired,” what would you tell her?Now tell it to yourself.Say it out loud. Then act on it.
There’s no one way to be a MUTHA. But we know this much: you can’t pour from an empty cup. And refilling yours isn’t a luxury — it’s a legacy.So tonight, tomorrow, whenever you need it — treat yourself like the one who does the treating.Because you deserve to melt, too.