The Power of a Hot Shower: Romanticizing the Mundane
Some moms swear by meditation, others love a long solo Target trip. Me?
Sometimes all I need is a hot shower — uninterrupted, steamy, soul-reviving.
It might not sound revolutionary, but as a stay-at-home mom, the shower is often the only time in my entire day where no one needs anything from me. No bottles, no bouncing, no answering a thousand “why’s.” Just me, hot water, and 15 sacred minutes of peace.
Let’s talk about why this ordinary moment can feel so extraordinary.
Why It’s Not Just About Getting Clean
Yes, obviously, I’m washing off whatever my 6-month-old smeared on me that day. But it’s also so much more than that.
A hot shower is:
A reset button when I feel touched out
A private cry zone when the day’s been hard
A creative recharge where my best ideas show up uninvited
A small way to say “I matter too”
It’s not about being fancy — it’s about being intentional.
My Ritual: Romanticizing the Shower
Here’s how I turn an everyday task into a micro self-care moment:
1. Set the Mood
Dim the lights. Light a candle. Play a slow playlist or spa sounds on your phone.
Make it feel like an experience — not just a hygiene chore.
2. Use Something That Smells Amazing
Even if it’s just a $5 body wash from Target, pick one that makes you go “mmmmm.”
I switch scents based on how I want to feel: calm = lavender, refreshed = citrus, cozy = vanilla.
3. Let Your Mind Wander
This is not the time to mentally meal plan or spiral about laundry. Let your thoughts soften.
Sometimes I reflect, sometimes I visualize my dream life, sometimes I just… zone out.
4. End With Gratitude
Before I step out, I take one deep breath and think:
“I’m proud of myself for showing up today.”
“I’m doing enough.”
“This moment is mine.”
Even one positive thought feels like a little gift to myself.
What Happens After?
I wrap up in my fluffiest towel (if it’s clean 🙃), moisturize like I’m filming a commercial, and — for five minutes — I feel more like me. Not just Mom. Not just the milk machine. Me.
Final Thought
Motherhood is exhausting. Beautiful, yes — but draining in ways that are hard to explain. And when you don’t have time or money for elaborate self-care, it’s the tiny, everyday rituals that can pull you back to yourself.
So if you’ve been on the edge today, go run the water. Let it all melt off for 15 minutes. Let it be slow. Let it be sacred.
The dishes can wait. The baby will be okay.
You deserve that hot shower, mama. Every single day.
