*This post is sponsored by Walmart. All product selections and opinions are my own!

{Wellness Gifts & Decor}

Talking self care today!  If ever there was a year for it, right!?  I remember reading once that self care isn’t just taking care of your health.  Self care is doing something that you truly enjoy.  Something that fills you up and brings you happiness or peace.  Something that centers you and makes you feel like a better version of yourself, which then helps you take better care of the people you love.  That has always stuck with me!

I really struggled as a young mom when my girls were little.  I missed my career as a teacher, I had no help (my family wasn’t close), I hadn’t made many friends in our area and my husband worked pretty much 24/7.  I learned a lot about myself during those difficult years and about what self care meant for me.  I learned small things that I could do each day or week to help me not just survive but thrive in my new role as a stay at home mom.  Even though motherhood in general is easier for me now and my life looks very different today than it did 12 years ago, there are still difficult days and the self care routines I worked on establishing then still save me today!  It was during those difficult years that I started my little family blog.  A place where I could share things that brought me joy (my form of self care!) – decorating, organizing, fashion and family.  A place for all things “sunny” because frankly I needed to cheer myself up daily.  Guess what?  It worked. ;)  12 years later this blog and everything I pour into it still brings me immense happiness and is my #1 form of self care.

Another form of self care for me is getting some exercise outside.  I don’t have to even work up a sweat, but this year especially I’ve tried to get outside (even for just a 30 minute walk/hike) every single day.  It makes a HUGE difference in my overall mood and sanity.

I’m a bath person!  If you’ve been with me for a while you know this already.  Many people have tubs that sit unused most/all of the time.  That is not the case at my house!  I LOVE taking long, hot bubble baths.  I wish I had time for one every night!  Nothing relaxes me like a bubble bath does.

Years ago I started a little weekly routine of taking a bubble bath every Friday night and I still do it!  I rarely miss my Friday night bath and have even scheduled things around it.  That’s how much I look forward to it!  Now that it’s cold I love going on a walk or hike Friday evening and then coming home to take my bath when it’s dark outside.  I’m always freezing from being outside and it feels so good to soak in hot water!  I dim the lights and light my candles and Kenny always shakes his head and thinks it’s so funny.  He teases me about my candles and my little routine and he can’t believe that I can sit in such hot water (I make my water HOT.. love it that way!).  But after he gives me a hard time (his routine!) he leaves me alone and makes sure the kids don’t bother me for 30 minutes.  That’s all I ask!  Leave me alone in my tub for 30 minutes every Friday night.  Moms need to squeeze in self care whenever possible, right!?

*Funny sidenote.. I had a clawfoot tub picked out for this space when we were building (love the look of them!) and then I tried laying in one at the store and it just wasn’t comfortable.  (Yes I actually laid in tubs to try them out.. important decision!  Ha.)  When I laid in this tub I knew right away it was perfect!  My dream tub was delivered early so I had it sitting in my garage in my previous house for months.  Sometimes when I was having a long day and the kids were acting crazy I’d sneak into the garage and hide in it.  Seriously!  Once or twice with a bowl of ice cream.  Since the day I bought this tub it has been a major form of self care for me.

;)

I recently bought this beautiful Acacia wood serving tray and it’s perfect to hold my candles!  Walmart has so many fun bath/spa essentials.

{dove bath salt/dr. teal’s epsom salt/dr. teal’s lavender epsom salt}

I always soak in bubbles and some type of bath salt.  These are three options I love and rotate often.  (Obviously I’m a fan of lavender.) :)

{anchor hocking glass storage jar/smaller glass storage jar}

I’ve been keeping my bath salt in simple glass jars on my tub shelves.  Easy access!  I designed the small drawers below these shelves to hold all of my bath essentials –  bubble bath, candles, wash cloths, etc, but I love also having most of those things set out around my tub so that my cozy setting is ready to go the second I am!

I’ve also been using this set of twisted lattice baskets and couldn’t love them more!  Seriously beautiful baskets for such a great price!  I was thrilled when these showed up on my doorstep and I saw them in person.  I also love this set of herringbone baskets, but decided to order the lattice baskets because they are so unique (love the round shape) and perfect to hold bath towels.

I picked up these diamond drop bath towels and the matching hand towels too.  We’ve had this similar set of towels in our bathroom for over a year now and they are still favorites so I have been looking for another good BHG set.  Love the grey criss cross pattern on these!

The smaller basket fits perfectly in the corner of my tub and I added this beautiful Acacia bowl to hold washcloths and soap.

The best part about this little self care routine?

Is how magical it feels at night!  I added some simple string lights around my window for the holidays and don’t plan on taking them down anytime soon!

{small apothecary jar/dove lavender salt/acacia wood tray}

It’s such a cozy space with my candles going!

Self care: doing something that you truly enjoy.  Something that fills you up and brings you happiness or peace.  Something that centers you and makes you feel like a better version of yourself, which then helps you take better care of the people you love.

Done and done. :)

This year has been a difficult year for everyone in one way or another.  It’s so important to help others, but we can’t really help others and be there for our families when we aren’t in a good place ourselves.  I’ve learned this lesson over and over throughout my adult years!  As difficult as it can be to make time for self care, I promise that it’s worth it!  You will 100% be a better mom, spouse, sister, friend, daughter, etc.  Put yourself on your calendar.  Find whatever it is that fills you up (it’s different for everyone!) and do more of it.

My wish for you all in 2021! :)

If you need some last minute gifts (or you want to kick off your own self care routine for the new year) below are some of my favorites!

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