Milk & Wine

Tag: self care

  • Maternity leave thoughts

    When I had my first kid, I did not know what was up or down. It was a doozy lol. I feel like I truly did not have the capacity to think about anything but how to get my new little baby to please please please sleep a little. Which I recognize (now) is totally normal and makes so much sense. Now that I’ve had my second kid, I have a tiny bit more experience which has led me down this path of really contemplating how I want to use my parental leave.

    Caveat: I do recognize that everyone’s situation is unique. If you are perhaps reading this out of curiosity or research or for any other purpose – welcome! Please feel free to take what you like and leave what you don’t.

    During my first postpartum period and maternity leave, I ended up doing pelvic floor physical therapy as a means to an end (I wanted to be able to go snowboarding lol). Early postpartum, I

    1. Threw my back out
    2. Had a super week core (obviously)
    3. Had insanely tight glutes (still do)

    But I wanted to go do this sport that I really love. I made an appointment to make sure I was doing the right things so I could safely snowboard. I quickly learned pelvic PT is crucial just in general. It helped with SO much (back pain, core strength, posture, how to pick up my baby, etc).

    Did I immediately sign up for it once I had my second kid? No. Lol.

    But, through conversations with my husband and therapist and others, a really crucial ideology started to seep in. Besides making sure my baby is fed, clean, diapered, and loved – I have to make sure I’m caring for myself, too. So I am back in PT. I’m trying acupuncture. I’m going to therapy once a week. I’m trying to not stress about cleaning the house or laundry or whatever else. And I’m trying to rest and do nothing a little bit more often.

    Would I be fine if I didn’t? Sure. But it feels really, really good for me to at least have this stuff on my radar and implement more.

  • A Milk & Wine 24 hour day

    A Milk & Wine 24 hour day

    Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share things I genuinely use and love.

    I have two kids (2 year old and 4 month old). I work a 9-5 corporate job. I need 8 hours of sleep. I like to workout. I want to better my meditation practice. I look forward to my evening glass of wine. And I want to watch my Real Housewives. I could probably use to read more. Oh and I need to walk my dog.

    I’m still on maternity leave but going back to work soon. Here’s how I’m planning to try to fit it all in. I know it will never happen like this 100% of the time, but it’s a practice and something I can keep coming back to.

    6:00 am – Wake up, drink water, check baby monitor, get some coffee, check my phone (would like to be better at not doing that but alas)

    6:05 am – All the things

    • 5 – 15 mins: Guided meditation with Insight Timer & red light panel (I use the Hooga HG300)
    • 5-10 mins: Journal
    • 1 min: Read the day’s meditation from “Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much” by Anne Wilson Schaef.
    • 30 secs: Coffee refill!
    • 5-10 mins: Stretch (can combo this with reading or scrolling on phone)
    • Remaining time ideas: Walk on my walking pad, unload the dishwasher, do nothing

    6:50 am – Get myself ready (workout clothes, brush teeth, wash face)

    7:00 am – Get girls up

    7:40 am – Girls go to school with dad, I go to gym

    9:00 am – Work

    5:00 pm – If I am not picking up the girls from school, I’ll walk the dog

    5:30 pm – Wine, dinner, play, clean up

    6:30 pm – Girls’ bath time & night time routine

    7:00 pm – Girls’ bed time

    7:05 pm – Tidy up

    7:15 pm – Shower & skin care

    7:45 pm – Vitamins, tea, and Real Housewives

    9:00 pm – Brush teeth

    9:02 pm – Get in bed and read

    9:30 pm – Sleep

  • Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much

    “How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward.” – Spanish Proverb.

    Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much by Anne Wilson Schaeff

    I’ve been loving ‘Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much’ by Anne Wilson Schaef. It is a cute little book with one meditation for each day of the year. I originally found it in my therapist’s office, but quickly bought a copy for myself lol. Gooooood daily reminders and a great add to the morning routine.