The Best Gift a Mother Can Give Herself: Self-Compassion & Rest

Motherhood is often painted as an act of endless giving—a constant pouring of love, patience, and time into our caring for our children. And while that is beautiful, it can also be exhausting.

We are taught to celebrate selflessness, to push through, to keep going even when our bodies and minds are pleading for rest.

And sometimes if we choose to rest, we also carry guilt around that – like maybe they are having too much screen time, maybe they should be out in the sunshine.

But what if the best thing we could do for our children wasn’t to give more, but to give ourselves the same love and care we so freely offer them AND not feel guilty about it?

The Unspoken Weight of Motherhood

Mothers carry invisible loads—mental lists, worries, planning, and the deep responsibility of shaping another human’s world. For many of us, especially those who have experienced trauma at any level, we might feel like we have to prove our worth by being everything to everyone. We push aside our exhaustion, silence our needs, and tell ourselves that we’ll rest “when everything is done.”

But when is everything ever done?

For the mother who feels like she is failing. For the mother who collapses into bed feeling guilty for the things she didn’t do. For the mother who is trying so hard to break cycles while feeling like she’s unraveling herself—this is for you.

Rest is not earned. You don’t have to deserve it. It is your birthright.

Ahimsa: The Practice of Self-Compassion

In yoga philosophy, there is a principle called Ahimsa, which means non-harm. Most often, we think of this in terms of how we treat others. But Ahimsa also means not harming ourselves—through our words, our actions, and our lack of care for our own well-being.

Self-compassion is a radical act of Ahimsa. It is choosing to soften instead of criticize. It is deciding that rest is not a luxury, but a necessity. It is allowing ourselves to be human, to be imperfect, to be enough exactly as we are.

And it is from this place—this foundation of kindness to ourselves—that we can begin to mother with more patience, more presence, and more peace.

A Tapping Practice for Self-Compassion & Ahimsa

Tapping is a simple yet powerful way to regulate the nervous system and release stress. If you’re ready to invite more self-compassion into your life, I have a guided tapping session just for you. Click here to access the pre-recorded tapping practice.

You Deserve This Gift

Rest is not selfish. Self-compassion is not indulgent. They are essential. And when we practice them, we show our children what it looks like to truly care for ourselves—not just as mothers, but as whole, worthy human beings.

So today, give yourself this gift. Speak to yourself with kindness. Take the break. Let yourself be enough. You are already worthy, just as you are.