79 Inspirational Self Care Quotes for Moms

Every mother knows how easy it is to put their own self-care needs on the back burner and place the needs of others first. Use this list of mom self-care quotes to get you back on track.

woman holding baby sitting on green grass field under sunset

Sometimes putting others first is subconscious and done out of habit. Sometimes it is an effort to be everything to everyone. But placing your own needs to the side time after time takes its toll on your physical and mental health.

It is counterintuitive to operate from an empty well. And lets face it, there are many things that drain our well.

The endless to do lists, housework, homework, errands, career, etc. The hard days that come and go, the pressures to be a perfect mom according to social media, and the plain hard work of mommying are all reasons why it is easy to forget about the importance of self-care.

I used to be a yes person. The one who always shows up for others but rarely shows up for me.

“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.”
Katie Reed

I realized I was operating on an empty vessel in my first year of motherhood. I couldn’t focus on any particular need of my own because I was too busy focusing on everyone around me.

I would look at my baby and think I am their whole world, they can’t do anything without me. This thinking which came from a place of love was misguided. It sent me on a tailspin that I HAD to do it all.

And in this thinking, I lost a sense of myself and my needs.

Without focusing on my needs, there was no way I could show up as the best version of myself.

As I grow in my motherhood journey, I have gained a deep appreciation and understanding of the importance of my own self-care.

I now know that I best take care of others when I take care of and prioritize my own needs.

“Self-care is a deliberate choice to gift yourself with people, places, things, events, and opportunities that recharge our personal battery and promote whole health—body, mind, and spirit.”
Laurie Buchanan, PhD

How to use Self-Care Quotes

Self-care quotes can be used on a daily basis to motivate, encourage and inspire you. You are in the right place wherever you are on your self-care journey. As busy as you are, there is always enough time to pause, check in with yourself and ever so slightly shift your priorities back to you.

A great way to start using self-care quotes is to:

On a daily basis choose a self-care quote that resonates for you.
Write the quote down on a post-it.
Stick it to a mirror or put it in your journal or planner.
Let the words do their thing.

The words we tell ourselves matter and have a powerful way of affecting our thoughts. Our thoughts affect our actions.

Every day put yourself on the top of your to-do list.

Mom Self-Care Quotes

The Mayo Clinic describes self-care as “the practice of caring for one’s own health, well-being, and happiness. It is an essential component of stress relief and wellness.”

Every mother can benefit from practicing self-care.

I refer to the following list of mom self-care quotes on a daily basis to inspire me. They are whispers from the universe offering guidance, reflection, humor, and inspiration. I even include some of them in my self-care kit.

Inspirational Quotes for Every Mom

Self-care is essential for every mom. Sometimes a simple reminder is all you need to reset your priorities and turn the focus back to you.

Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you. — Katie Reed
There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one. — Jill Churchill
Self-care is a deliberate choice to gift yourself with people, places, things, events, and opportunities that recharge our personal battery and promote whole health—body, mind, and spirit. — Laurie Buchanan, PhD
You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens. — Louise L. Hay
An empty lantern provides no light. Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly. — Unknown
You Yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. — Buddha

It is so important to take time for yourself and find clarity. The most important relationship is the one you have with yourself. — Diane Von Furstenberg
Keep good company, read good books, love good things, and cultivate soul and body as faithfully as you can. — Louisa May Alcott
It’s okay to take time for yourself. We give so much of ourselves to others, and we need to be fueled both physically and mentally. If we are in balance, it helps us in all our interactions. — Faith Hill
By taking care of myself I have so much more to offer the world than when I am running on empty. — Ali Washington

I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival. — Audre Lorde
Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. — Jim Rohn
Much of your strength as a woman can come from the resolve to replenish and fill your own well and essence first, before taking care of others. — Miranda J. Barrett
Self-care is how you take your power back. — Lalah Delia
The best kind of self-care involves a gratitude practice, a pursuit of self-awareness, and a journey of constant self-forgiveness. — Elayna Fernandez
Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love. — Brene Brown

To meditate means to go home to yourself. Then you know how to take care of the things that are happening inside you, and you know how to take care of the things that happen around you. — Thich Nhat Han
There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a person being themselves. Imagine going through your day being unapologetically you. — Steve Maraboli
Caring for your body, mind, and spirit is your greatest and grandest responsibility. It’s about listening to the needs of your soul and then honoring them. — Kristi Ling
If you have the ability to love, love yourself first. — Charles Bukwowski
Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths. — Etty Hillesum

Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch. — Parker Palmer
Our bodies are our garden to which our wills are gardeners. — William Shakespeare
When you take care of yourself, you’re a better person for others. When you feel good about yourself, you treat others better. — Solange Knowles.
To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance! — Oscar Wilde.
Invest time and energy in your well being. Create an atmosphere of emotional safety for yourself. ― Amy Leigh Mercree
Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; its holy ground. There’s no greater investment. — Stephen Covey
A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life. ― Christopher Germer
Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean me first, it means me too. ― L.R. Knost
When you can’t find your purpose in a day, make it to look after yourself. — Dodie Clark

If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete. — Jack Kornfield5
When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. — Jean Shined Bolen
Learning to love yourself is like learning to walk—essential, life-changing, and the only way to stand tall. —Vironika Tugaleva
The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud. — Coco Chanel
I believe that the greatest gift you can give your family and the world is a healthy you. — Joyce Meyer
The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself. It is in this relationship that you set the standard for all others. ― Steve Maraboli
Put yourself first. Self-love is not selfish at all. It means that you’re taking care of yourself. — Laurie Hernandez
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. — Aristotle

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
Aristotle

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self. — Aldous Huxley
Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness. — Edward Stanley
I always give myself Sundays as a spiritual base of renewal—a day when I do absolutely nothing. I sit in my jammies or take a walk, and I allow myself time to BE—capital B-E—with myself. — Oprah Winfrey
When a woman becomes her own best friend, life is easier. — Diane Von Furstenberg

Forgiveness isn’t just the absence of anger. I think it’s also the presence of self-love, when you actually begin to value yourself. — Tara Westover
When you’re different, sometimes you don’t see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who doesn’t. — Jodi Picoult
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. — Maya Angelou
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
In my own deepening understanding of myself, I find my capacity to serve others is deepened as well. The better I am at self-care the more genuinely nurturing of others I am able to be. — Mary Anne Radmacher
Taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your kids. — Unknown

There are days I drop words of comfort on myself like falling leaves and remember that it is enough to be taken care of by myself. — Brian Andreas

Self-Care Quotes for Busy Moms

Burnout for busy moms on the go is common. Using quotes as part of your self-care practice are an easy way to take care of yourself throughout the day.

Busy moms can use inspirational self-care quotes as motivation to keep self-care at the top of the to-do list.

Put yourself at the top of your to-do list every single day and the rest will fall into place. — Unknown

You are worth the quiet moment. You are worth the deeper breaths and you are worth the time it takes to slow down, be still, and rest. — Morgan Harper Nichols
It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and make happiness a priority. It’s necessary. — Mandy Hale
Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept. — Anna Taylor
Self-care is not a waste of time; self-care makes your use of time more sustainable. — Jackie Viramontez
Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world. — Lucille Ball
When you say ‘yes’ to others make sure you are not saying ‘no’ to yourself. — Paulo Coelho

The world will not fall apart without you. — Malebo Sephodi
Women have to take the time to focus on our mental health—take time for self, for the spiritual, without feeling guilty or selfish. The world will see you the way you see you, and treat you the way you treat yourself. — Beyoncé
We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. — Dolly Parton
It is never too late to be what you might have been. — George Eliot
Do something every day that is loving toward your body and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the sensations of your body. ― Golda Poretsky
Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it. —M.Scott Peck

Breathe. Let Go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. — Oprah Winfrey
The time you take away from obligations, parties, and even the people you love to soothe your own soul doesn’t require an apology. — Jennifer Williamson
Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. — Howard Washington Thurman
Self-care is taking all the pressures you are facing right now, and deciding to which you will respond, and how. — Imani Shola

Self-Care Quotes for New Moms

It is important for new moms to establish a self-care routine. Practicing self-care will allow you the space to find balance and rejuvenation. You best take care of your loved ones when you best take care of yourself.

Be kind. Be patient. Be generous. Be accepting. Be all of these things to yourself. That is where it begins. — Seed & Song
Radical self-care is the secret of joy, resistance, and freedom. When we care for ourselves as our very own beloved- with naps, healthy food, clean sheets, and a lovely cup of tea- we can begin to give in wildly generous ways to the world, from abundance. — Anne Lamont
Whatever you did today is enough. Whatever you felt today is valid. Whatever you thought today isn’t to be judged. Repeat the above each day. ― Brittany Burgunder
Keep taking time for yourself until you’re you again. — Lalah Delia

Keep taking time for yourself until you’re you again.
Lalah Delia

The challenge is not to be perfect, it is to be whole. — Jane Fonda
Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one. — Eleanor Roosevelt
Our soul is like a soft and gentle flower, it needs to be nurtured, cared for, tended to, with sufficient sunlight, fresh air and freedom to bloom into its most precious and beautiful form. This, my friend, is self-love. — Miya Yamanouchi
If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me? — Maya Angelou

Do something nice for yourself today. Find some quiet, sit in stillness, breathe. Put your problems on pause. You deserve a break. ―Akiroq Brost
There’s something really empowering about going, ‘Hell, I can do this! I can do this all!’ That’s the wonderful thing about mothers, you can because you must, and you just DO. — Kate Winslet
How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you. — Rupi Kaur

A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s. — Princess Diana

Quick Self-Care Tips for Moms

It is important to practice self-care every day. Self-care doesn’t have to be grand. Look for simple ways that you can do self-care. Here are some quick tips to get you started:

Identify what self-care looks like for you
Schedule your self-care
Ask for help when needed
Focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses or shortcomings
Take breaks throughout the day
Go for a brief walk

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A mother’s love is the purest love of all loves. It is a powerful thing. Honor your motherhood journey by prioritizing your needs and reminding yourself of the little things that feed your soul.

You are a good mom and you are the only person who can put your self-care at the top of your to do list. So do it!

What is your favorite quote? Drop a whisper in the comments below, I’d love to know!