Looking for a helping hand or mental pick-me-up in 2022? Me, me, me!
Here are five favorite things that save my sanity daily as a stay-at-home mom of toddlers ages 4 and under and during a pandemic, two years and counting.
Pocket Casts
This podcast platform brings adult voices to my ears daily! Pop in an earbud and give a few of my favorite podcasts a listen.
The Libby App
Do you like reading or listening to audiobooks for free? You had me at “read for free.”
Military Mom Collective readers, meet Libby. The Department of Defense offers this platform of digital or audio files for free to service members, retirees, and dependents. Sign up using your local military installation’s library or public library. The best part is that I am able to use multiple libraries on this reading platform at once, making my chances of finding a book that much greater!
Clean Mama
Clean Mama makes housekeeping manageable! I love Clean Mama’s Cleaning Routine at a Glance free printable. It puts routine and rhythm to my cleaning Tasks and categories are day-based, taking the guess work out of what I need to clean. Monday, it’s bathroom day; Wednesday, let’s vacuum! Clean Mama offers a variety of resources to help you simplify every day housework. A fellow military spouse introduced me to Clean Mama, and I am so grateful she did!
The Instant Pot
I can throw frozen chicken, from the freezer, into a pot, and it cooks in less than 30 minutes. I repeat, from frozen. Need I say more?
Put the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker on your wishlist ASAP! When the meal plans go astray, I can count on my Instant Pot to save the day. Here are a few Instant Pot recipes to help you get started!
Outdoor Seating Area
An outdoor seating area is the biggest investment I made in self-care, and I am so thankful I did. I thrifted a gently used outdoor seating set from a military spouse on Facebook Marketplace. This seating area provides a change of scenery from the messes inside and allows for a safer, outdoor-friendly, gathering area with others for play dates. I find myself sitting outside daily on our porch, thankful for this simple but critical breath of fresh air from the safety of our home!
