Self Care For Moms – How To Create A Lintukoto At Home

Lintukoto (LIN-too-koh-toh) is a Finnish word which literally means “bird’s nest.” Lintukoto symbolizes a safe space, a haven from the outside world. In this busy season of life, when the world outside is a scary place to raise littles, when you’re touched out, when you’re carrying the mental load, creating a lintukoto in your home is so important. Your home should be your safe space and your refuge from the outside world. Self care for moms isn’t merely indulgence; it’s survival.

In order to take care of your family, you have to take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Use these self care tips for moms to reset, find your peace, and put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. Your family needs you. That means prioritizing yourself, rest, and little moments of peace.

How To Create A Lintukoto – A Practice Of Self Care For Moms

Drink Tea From A Pretty Tea Cup

I love my handmade blanket that my sister-in-law found at an estate sale last year. It is heavy, warm, and so cozy. It is my absolute favorite blanket.

After the littles go to bed, cozy up with your favorite blanket and a cup of a tea in a pretty tea cup. My favorite tea cup was passed down to me from my mother-in-law, but pretty tea cups are so easy to find at thrift stores. Score a beautiful matching set, create some whimsy in your home with mismatched tea cups, or find a single one that sparks joy.

My favorite teas for sipping after Moose goes to bed are Yogi Kava Stress Relief Tea as my general go-to, Yogi Cinnamon Horchata Sleep + Stress for nights when my mind needs to be calmed, Yogi Elderberry Lemon Balm Immune + Stress when my immune system needs an extra boost, and Yogi Blueberry Sage Stress Relief when I want to mix things up a bit.

Bake A Sweet Treat

There is something about slowing down to make something with your hands, with intention, and then relaxing with a sweet treat afterwards. Pull out a hard copy of a cookbook, feel the texture of the pages in your hands, and pick out a new recipe to try. If you have handwritten recipe cards passed down from your mom or grandmother, pull those out and observe the history of a stained, time-worn favorite recipe.

Need some tried and true recipe suggestions? My all time favorite is this vintage Coca Cola cake. For something fast and easy, try these Finnish cardamom cookies.

Get a full list of my favorite dessert recipes here.

Use The Good China

I have two sets of fine China that were passed down to me: one from my great grandmother and another from my mother-in-law. Don’t wait for a special occasion. Make an ordinary Tuesday feel special by setting the table with the good China. Don’t have any family heirloom China? Many Baby Boomers never used the family China. It was stored away in a China cabinet collecting dust instead of memories. Because of this, several of their children had no interest in holding on to these collections. You can often find entire sets of fine China at the thrift store. Can’t find a full set and want a touch of whimsy? Mix and match your favorite antique and vintage pieces.

Make Fancy Coffee At Home

Start your day with slow intention by making your own fancy coffee at home. I prefer to make my own espresso drinks using a Moka Pot on the stove with hand ground espresso using a coffee grinder. We also have a French Press in our home. I prefer taking a little extra time to make my coffee manually. It sets a tone for the day that allows me to slow down and relish the little joys life has to offer.

Send Handwritten Cards

Bring a little joy to someone else by sending them some happy mail. Handwritten notes are a lost art that lets someone know you remembered them and care about them. Don’t just pick up a generic greeting card and sign your name to it. Take some intentional time to think about why you love this person, what makes them special to you, what your hopes and dreams are for them, and let them know in writing. Send thank you notes to friends who have invited you over, shown you kindness, sent you a gift, or been a part of your community and village. Expressing gratitude is an excellent daily practice and my favorite way to put this in action is through handwritten cards. Added bonus? You get to support the USPS in the process.

Listen To Music That Brings You Joy

I love to slow down and go back to an older time by listening to LP on a record player. If you have any outdated music devices, dust off your vinyl records, old high school CDs, or those cassettes that require a rewind button. One of my friends recently found her old iPod, bought a compatible charger, and has been using it regularly. If you can, bring some nostalgia back to your music. If not, use what you have and crank up that bluetooth speaker with your favorite jams or something calm and relaxing to unwind.

Get Lost In A Good Book

There is nothing like escapism and getting lost in a good book. Turn off the television, step away from the doomscrolling, and try a new book. Whether you visit your local library and pick out one of their recommendations, stop by a locally owned bookstore to pick up something you’ve been interested in for awhile, or finally picking up that book you bought months ago and never got around to. Slow down, model a joy of reading for your kids, and pick up a good book.

Some of my favorite book recommendations:

1. Salvage The Bones by Jesmyn Ward
2. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
3. Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
4. Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline Boulley
5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
   

DIY Little Free Library From An Old Realty Magazine BoxWant to share your love of reading with your community? Learn how to make a free little library from an old magazine distribution box here.

Feedback

What are your favorite ways to unwind and practice some self care? How do you refill your cup to be a better mom, spouse, and friend? Let me know in the comments below!

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