Let’s face it. Being a mum is tough sometimes. You’re busy, you’re keeping the house running, you’re looking after the kids, your extended family, maybe even a pet or three. And there are times when Mums just feel a bit overwhelmed, and tired, and down. So here are 10 Simple Ways to Spark Joy in a Mum’s Life, hopefully helping you to get a little extra lift in your life!

#1. Read “The Life-changing Magic of Tidying”

If you haven’t read Marie Kondo’s book “The Life-changing Magic of Tidying” it’s well worth a read because Marie does a great job of explaining why people hold onto things and also delves into how to start letting things go. Search on YouTube for her videos on how to fold things extra neatly to make more space and to help you see easily what you have clothes-wise.

#2. Think about what sparks joy

William Morris, the English designer from the 1920s, is famous for his floral prints and designs, but did you know he also said

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

Marie Kondo has the same principle – keep only things that you need because they are of use to you or things that “spark joy”; in other words that make you feel warm and fuzzy when you look at them. Then get rid of everything else. So start viewing everything through that two-way lens:

do I need this? is it useful? or
is it beautiful? does it spark joy?

#3. Make the little things count

Make some space in your life to enjoy the little things. We’re so busy busy that sometimes it’s great just to stop for a moment, pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the smell (even if smallies interrupt you and you have to microwave it 3 times to keep reheating it after interruptions!)

Or go into the garden and look at a flower.

Or smell your child’s hair after bathtime and relish their cuddle.

Or think about the blessings you do have. It isn’t always about the big things. The little things count too.

#4. Do some serious decluttering

• Nothing weighs us down as much as clutter and things we no longer need.
• When was the last time you wore that top or pair of trousers?
• How many beauty products does a woman really need in her life?
• Are you holding on to old things that you should be donating or recycling?

#5. Treat yourself to something small but nice

Now that you’ve decluttered a bit, then bring joy into your life by buying something small but nice for yourself. A scented candle, a new hand cream, a bunch of flowers or a flowering plant, a new book, just something small that makes you feel good.

#6. Hug your kids

Yes we all hug our kids but next time they come home from creche or school or nanna and papa’s house give them an extra squeeze and smooch. For the pure joy it brings you.

#7. Get Your Kids to Help Organise

Get the kids to help out and organise their rooms or to tackle playroom, often the messiest room in the house!

• have a tidy up race to make it fun
• buy new storage boxes or buckets and have a place for everything
• do a little every day, e.g. pick a category like books and go through those together
• make piles for keep, not sure and give to charity

#8. Connect with a friend

I’m on social media all the time, and I enjoy the updates I get from friends, but remember the good old days when you sat in the hall (because we didn’t have cordless phones!) and nattered to your friend for an hour?

Make room for an hour in your life next week and arrange to talk to a friend or meet them for a coffee in person.

#9. Learn to let go

We hold onto things and people too long in our lives that don’t spark joy, so teach yourself to let go of the stuff that’s annoying you (and has no use!) and the people who make you feel bad.

Surround yourself with the things and friends that make you feel good.

#10. Make date night time

If you’re in a relationship with husband / partner, put some date nights in the diary. When you’re a parent you’re so focused on the kids you sometimes forget you need to focus on the main person you had your children with. You need time together and it does rejuvenate your relationship to go on a date now and again! (And if you’re not in a relationship think about how you can make time and start meeting new people to build that for yourself.)

Over to you now. How do you spark joy for yourself? Tell us in the comments below.