We know how important it is to show up for ourselves, yet for busy moms, that can be easier said than done. Self-care can end up feeling like more pressure to meet unrealistic expectations. I’m here to remind you that anything that feels like pressure is NOT self-care; don’t let anyone or any advertisement out there convince you otherwise.
In fact, self-care can begin with a simple word. If you read A Stress-Free Alternative to New Year’s Resolutions, I hope you’ve had some time to select a Guiding Word of the Year that’s supporting you so far through the chaos of life. Don’t have a Guiding Word yet? I recommend you start by checking out Part 1 of the Guiding Word Series for more info on what it is and how to pick a word that will be meaningful to you (it’s never too late in the year to pick one)!
What is creative self-care?
For The Guiding Word: Part 2, we’re going to explore ways that you can put your word into practice in some fun and meaningful ways without adding the kind of pressure that approximately zero percent of all moms need. These ideas don’t need to be time-consuming. I know how much you do to support others, so don’t think of this as something else to add to your already full plate. When you strategically prioritize yourself in this way, it fuels you to show up for the people you care about and care for.
Once you have your word, I encourage you to find ways to keep it interesting and engaging so it doesn’t just sit there collecting dust like a tchotchke on the shelf. The more you integrate your word into your life, the more it can serve as a solid foundation for the choices you make this year. Try it out, and by this time next year your guiding word will feel more like an natural extension of who you are.
The best way to do this is to have some fun while you’re at it by practicing creative self-care! Remember, creativity leads to a wealth of positive effects on your health and wellbeing. Revisit 10 Creative Modalities to Explore on the Seacoast for more on the many health benefits of creativity.
Enlist a friend to join you!
A lot of these ideas would make a fun Mom’s Night Out or a Date Night! Sometimes we need a little nudge from a friend to feel empowered to prioritize ourselves. Simply talking about what you’re doing for yourself, or sharing this article with a fellow mom can be that nudge for someone else!
This list includes some of our favorite mom-owned businesses on the Seacoast (you’ll recognize some of from Laura McKinster’s Holiday Highlight article).
View this post on Instagram
5 creative ways to put your Guiding Word of the Year into practice:
1. Home Décor
Proudly display your word in your home so it becomes a comforting part of your everyday life—especially when you find it challenging to put your word into practice.
-
- Personalized Wood Signs: The instructor-led DIY workshops at Board & Brush include everything you need so you can proudly display your word as a fun visual reminder!
- Custom Candles: Use an adhesive label or hand paint your word right on the jar! Perfect for your home, office, and as gifts for friends & family!
Sea Love: Craft your own signature scent at their in-store candle bar & boutique
Native Candle Co: Choose from premade candles with scents that represent your word, or work with local mom-preneur, Alanna to custom-design your own scent!
View this post on Instagram
-
-
- Pillows & Other Fabric Art:
Pintuck & Purl offers classes for all experience levels so you can learn to sew, knit, hand embroider, or cross stitch your word on a fun piece for your home! - Pottery & More: Make your own functional piece of art, complete with your word painted in your own handwriting.
The Wheel House: A wide range of classes available for all experience levels!
Exeter Fine Crafts: Learn to make your own pottery, jewelry, silkscreen shirts, oil canvases, and so much more!
Firefly Pottery: Make it a family affair! Kids can pick their own word of the year, then each of you can make your own piece.
- Pillows & Other Fabric Art:
-
View this post on Instagram
2. The Magic of Music
Music has the magical ability to transform feelings in ways that words alone often fall short.
-
-
-
- Songwriting: At PMAC, you can learn to write your own songs, starting with one that captures the essence of your Guiding Word!
- Make a playlist and keep adding to it throughout the year whenever you hear a song that reminds you of your word. For example, here’s my 2025 Guiding Word Playlist (note: these are not all kid-friendly songs!). I reveal what my word is HERE, including 3 ways it’s already helped me!
-
- Jewelry: Visit Good Stock’s charm bar to create a customized bracelet, necklace, jump ring or permanent jewelry that features your word.
- Shirt: There’s a plethora of online shops where you can have your word printed on shirts, hats, pens, whatever your heart desires, and for relatively inexpensively for just one item! Or you can learn how to do it yourself at Exeter Fine Crafts. If you end up having fun in the process, you could even turn your newfound skill into your own side business on etsy and at local craft markets!
-
-
- Stationary:
Keep in touch with loved ones the old fashioned way while showing off your word in an artistic way!- Seacoast ArtSpot: They offer a wide range of innovative and fun art classes for all ages. Keep your eyes open for a future block printing class where you can design a custom stamp and create your own stationary!
- Stationary:
-
- Try making one out of scrap paper or create an electronic one! Write, paint, or collage your word on the cover, then add to it throughout the year whenever you find or think of something that reminds you of your word. My 2024 word was JOY, and I created a Joy Journal filled with poems, photos, quotes, images and words from magazines & catalogues, plus fun and messy little drawings. I find it helpful to flip through when I’m having a bad day, and I keep adding to it with more glimmers of joy.
3. Create a Wearable Word
Rock your word with pride, and who knows who you might inspire to join the Word of the Year club!View this post on Instagram4. DIY Journal
You don’t even need to buy a new journal or leave the comfort of your home to make this one. Add to it throughout the year and it’ll end up being a time capsule for you to continue remembering your word for years to come.
My 2024 Joy Journal: Putting your word into a creative practice doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming! Leave a comment: I’d love to hear what word you selected for yourself, and how you’re putting it into creative practice as an act of radical self-care!
-
-
