In today’s world, the term “self-care” is everywhere. It encompasses various aspects — from physical activities like energizing workouts or indulgent spa experiences, to nurturing the soul with moments of meditation or journaling. There’s also the mental escape of diving into a good book or indulging in mindless reality TV. While I appreciate all these self-care methods — and truly enjoy them — I sought a practice that would provide deeper, long-lasting benefits. I yearned for structure, accountability, and a bit of a challenge, as sticking to routines can be tough. This led me to try Madefor, a 10-month program designed to help me cultivate habits tailored specifically for my needs. Through this experience, I began to reconnect with myself, and surprisingly, I hadn’t realized how disconnected I had become.
Context of My Journey
To provide some context, I’m a new mom with a toddler who’s recently mastered walking and throwing tantrums. I work full-time from home, and we don’t have daycare. Like many parents today, my days are filled with the chaos of balancing work and motherhood, squeezing in important tasks during nap times or when my son is playing. Amid prioritizing my family’s needs, I found myself feeling burnt out.
Recognizing that my self-care routine was in dire need of rejuvenation, I turned to Madefor because it emphasizes gradual habit-building over ten months. Additionally, being app-free is a refreshing break from screens that dominate my daily life.
How Madefor Works
Here’s how it works: each month, Madefor sends a box with a specific theme or goal to focus on for several weeks. Each package includes a booklet that outlines the benefits of the goal (complete with scientific insights for those interested), along with a tangible tool to assist in achieving it. The aim is to foster healthier, happier, and more efficient habits — one small step at a time. Since everyone’s journey is unique, the specifics of each habit cater to individual needs, making it a true self-discovery process.
For example, the first challenge is to increase water intake — which may sound simple, but it’s a struggle when you’re a work-from-home mom who often leans towards caffeine. The box includes a stylish glass water bottle with beads to track my intake, a booklet on hydration (which was quite enlightening), and a journal for reflecting on my progress (who knew staying hydrated could boost happiness and energy?). Plus, there’s a beautiful hourglass to encourage me to disconnect from my phone, and a lovely Japanese bracelet as a reminder that I can achieve this. The other challenges follow a similar theme, promoting mindfulness about different aspects of life, whether it’s hydration or understanding how food affects my mood. This approach really allows for a thoughtful reevaluation of my habits in a positive way.
Investing in Self-Care
Investing in the Madefor program is definitely worthwhile to prioritize self-care. It breaks down to less than $60 a month, which is comparable to ordering one family dinner for delivery — a reminder to cut back on takeout! Each month, when my beautifully packaged box arrives, I’m reminded that this is a heartfelt gift I’m giving to myself.
Further Exploration
If you’re interested in further exploring self-care and its benefits, check out this related blog post. You can also learn more about infertility services from trusted sources like Johns Hopkins Medicine and Intracervical Insemination.
Summary
I embarked on a self-care journey through the Madefor program, which helped me reconnect with myself while developing healthier habits over ten months. The structured approach and absence of screens provided a refreshing change, allowing for meaningful self-discovery and improved well-being.