Do you ever feel overwhelmed by parenting? As parents, we tend to put our children before ourselves, which makes it challenging for personal growth for busy parents.

However, making time for personal growth – even as a parent – is a necessity. By taking care of yourself and your well-being, you can also show up and care for your family better.

Growth does not have to be massive change overnight. Simply taking small steps every day can lead to a better you.

Here are 10 simple tips to incorporate into your daily routine for personal growth for busy parents:

1. Make time to journal daily. One of the most incredible gifts you can give yourself is carving time to journal daily. Whether that’s setting an intention to journal before the kids wake up, or pulling out your journal during naptime, journaling daily will help you explore your thoughts and nurture your growth.
   
2. Take an inventory of your life. What kind of person do you want to be? Look at different parts of your life – as a parent, a partner, a friend, etc. – and think about what the best version of yourself looks like in every category. Which areas do you want to improve and grow?
   
3. Replace negative thoughts and beliefs with positive, empowering ones. Sometimes, we stunt our own personal growth by repeating negative beliefs to ourselves. Take note of any negative beliefs you have and replace those thoughts with positive, empowering ones.
   
4. Ask a friend to be your accountability buddy. Having an accountability buddy helps you when you need extra support or encouragement. Find an accountability buddy who is also raising a family, so that they understand your unique struggles and accomplishments.
   
5. Celebrate every win! Parenthood is not easy. It can be difficult to see your progress in between making sure your entire family is taken care of. Celebrating your wins helps you see the progress you’re making, prevents you from burning out, and encourages you to keep going.
   
6. Practice gratitude. Gratitude will have a positive impact on your well-being. Incorporating gratitude in your life can help you have a more positive, growth-focused outlook, as well as set a positive example for your children.
   
7. Try new activities with your family. Scheduling family days or new activities is a great way to create memories and fun. Think about where your personal growth goals overlap with activities you can do with your family.

• If you want to be more artistic, schedule a watercolor or ceramics class with your family.
  
• Take a class with your family!
  
• Learn or participate in a new sport together.

8. Schedule regular time away. Whether you’re enjoying an afternoon away or a weekend adventure, time away from home is a welcome treat. Schedule “me time” or a date night with your partner to keep yourself refreshed!
   
9. Start a new hobby – or restart an old one! A part of personal growth is discovering your limits and what you enjoy. Find a hobby that aligns with your goals and sparks your interest.
   
10. Give yourself more time by automating everyday activities. To keep track of tasks and chores, use apps to set recurring reminders. Use automatic features such as auto-pay. Making small optimizations through automation can simplify your life and give you more time in the long run.

Honestly, parenting itself is a type of personal growth. You are learning how to communicate and set a model example for children.

But it can be possible to improve yourself in areas in addition to parenting. Making time for yourself when you’re raising a family is not an easy task. But remember that it is possible to create time for yourself and be there for your family when they need you most.

Be easy on yourself –– taking one small step is better than taking no step at all!