Self-Care Archives - Page 4 of 5

Mama Retreat

September 30, 2015 By Heather Leave a Comment

So, wow. I haven’t felt this light in ages. I just got back a few days ago from my first ever mama retreat in almost 8 years of being a mama. (!). And let me tell you. It was AhMAZing!!! It was definitely all that I hoped it would be.

It wasn’t that I was on cloud 9 the entire time I was gone, but it was this amazing mental quiet, this rest, this letting go of having to do, to be, to give so much, for a little while.

I love being a mother more than anything in the world, but mamas need breaks, too. This mama sure did.

How Did This Happen?

For the past couple of years I’ve been a member of Leonie Dawson’s Shining Biz + Life Academy. About a month ago they announced a live workshop in Denver. It would be a free, day-long event, with training, masterminding, yoga, photography, and best of all, gathering in person to connect with other Academy members.

All I had to do was get there and stay a couple of nights. I found a great deal on Frontier and the perfect place to stay on Airbnb.

Although I could have roomed with another lady at a hotel, I decided to maximize my alone time so I just enjoy the bliss of silence and time to myself. As an introvert, I need that quiet time, and I knew I’d have a lot of time for people and interaction at the workshop.

I felt like this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. And my mama retreat was long overdue.

My husband wasn’t completely excited about me going, but I reassured him that it would be fine and it would be a good opportunity for my daughter and him to have special time together.

Getting Ready

It had been so long since I’d flown, and longer since I’d traveled alone… So I asked a friend who travels regularly for recommendations, and his advice helped me feel more sure about my decision to rent a car and stay at an Airbnb.

Next, a small carry-on suitcase was in order. (I’d long since gotten rid of my old, cheap, big ones and just used various bags for weekends to Grandmomma’s or other short trips.) I did my research on Amazon and bought a really good one that fit under the seat for easy access on the plane.

It fit plenty of clothes for my two-day trip, plus toiletries. I also took a backpack as my “purse,” and I carried both on the plane since I didn’t want to have to wait to pick up my bag or take the off chance that it might get lost.

My favorite pens are Uniball Vision, but they’re rollerball which tend to leak on planes. So I bought some new ballpoint pens and found a blue gel pen at home to bring for all my note-taking and journaling. I also bought a new purple Yoobi college-ruled notebook. (Does anyone else get a thrill from new “school supplies”!?)

And I packed my Leonie workbook, just in case. And some snacks and an empty water bottle.

I loaded up my phone with podcasts and brought both of my Kindles (Paperwhite and Fire). I ended up only reading my Paperwhite and didn’t even use my Fire or listen to any of the podcasts. I think I just needed the silence and mental space.

Two things I didn’t take but wish I had are a small purse to hold my wallet for when I did want to carry a purse, and eye drops. I think the airplane and the amazingly wonderful low humidity of Denver left my eyes over-dry. But for the most part I’m happy with my packing and glad I didn’t take too much stuff.

Oh! And I also missed my John Denver cd’s. I had to get by with singing “Rocky Mountain High” a capella.

For planning, I tried to keep everything as simple as possible. I had thought I might try to see some sights in Denver. Then I realized how little extra time I’d have beyond the workshop, so I decided to maybe visit the Botanical Garden on Friday morning. Since I love our local Botanical Garden and am a member there, I knew I’d love some quiet time at Denver’s as well. Plus, it would be free.

I was really exhausted on Friday, so I decided to just stay in bed as long as possible, reading, journaling, reflecting on the teaching from the workshop, and then getting ready to go. I’m so glad I did.

Relaxing in bed with a cup of coffee and my Kindle is bliss.

One thing I’m really glad I did is print out the maps I needed… from the airport to the house where I stayed, and from the house to the workshop venue. Those definitely came in handy, as did having Google Maps on my phone.

Some Tips For Your Mama Retreat

Simplify

If you don’t have a lot of time, keep your trip simple. Think about what you most want to get out of it. If it’s peace and solitude and rest, and no one needing you for anything for a little while, then I highly recommend you keep it very simple. I’m happy I decided not to try to squeeze in as much sight-seeing as possible.

Be Flexible

After the workshop I was going to meet some new friends for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Unfortunately, there was a turn that wasn’t mentioned so I ended up choosing the wrong direction, and got lost… Luckily I found my way back to my starting point, but I was getting a bit stressed because my phone was black. Not only would it not start, it also wouldn’t even charge. I was starting to freak out, but I decided to take out the battery and put it back in. That magically brought it back to life.

I called my new friend and got directions and made it to the restaurant pretty directly, although she’d mentioned it was easy to pass, and it was (and I did). After some quick calls home to check on my daughters, I met my friends and had a really fun dinner with new friends. I’m so happy I did that even though I was feeling pretty wiped out after the workshop and my time was two hours ahead of Denver time.

Let Go of the Outcome

It’s fine to have hopes and expectations about what you’ll get out of your retreat, but it’s good to also let go of attachment to what actually happens. I wanted to have peace and quiet and relaxation. While I did get those things, I also got some stress, from driving in rush hour traffic, to getting lost a bit, to the phone going dead and not charging, wishing I’d taken more pictures, and just feeling generally worn out physically much of the time. Oh, and also being a bit disappointed that I wouldn’t have time to get a closer look at those beautiful mountains. Instead I just felt so happy to see them every time I got in the car to drive somewhere.

I really just accepted everything as it came, as it was, and enjoyed myself.

I arrived a little late to the yoga class, the first event of the morning, and there was a split second where I thought about not joining in. But I had intended to do yoga and was so looking forward to it, and so I did it. And it was very good and relaxing and energizing, and it didn’t matter that I joined in a little late or that I didn’t have a mat.

At the end of the class the teacher suggested we pick a word as an intention for the day. My words were “open” and “peace.” And I can say that my day was characterized by peace and by me being open to everything it brought. It was good.

Know Thyself

I knew I wanted quiet time to rest and relax when I wasn’t at the workshop. So I purposefully stayed by myself at an Airbnb rather than at a hotel. I searched and read reviews to find the perfect place through Airbnb. I am so happy with my decision. It was so quiet and beautiful and comfy, and my host was so nice. It was all I’d hoped, and I saved a lot of money over staying at a hotel, too.

Limit Your Contact with the Outside World

I recommend minimizing contact with your children’s caregivers, and try not to call too close to their bedtime. You literally are far away and unable to do anything directly about what’s going on at home. And it’s good and fine for your husband or parents to handle things in their own way. And good for them to have their own special time together. And good for you to have your own time, too. Of course do what you feel comfortable with, but I’d try to keep it to a minimum.

I also had a short talk with my husband in which I tried to express that he not worry me with small things I couldn’t do anything about.

Mindfully Tell Them

I decided not to tell my 3-year-old until a couple of days before the trip. Her understanding of time is different, and I knew that once I told her she’d be expecting it to happen very soon. I also told her very gradually, keeping the focus on the special time she was going to have with Daddy, what she would be doing (her normal routine of going to playgroup, maybe going to the park, going out to eat, playing, etc), and the very important fact that I would come back soon. She sang a song she learned in Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood that goes, “Grown Ups Come Back.” And I agreed! Momma always comes back. I think the way I told her worked really well. I also tried to mention during times she was feeling happy and involved in something.

My older daughter was with her dad for the first night I was gone, and then the next day her Granddaddy picked her up from school and took her to his house for a special visit. I think they had a wonderful time together, even though it rained the whole time. They watched good movies, made sundaes, went out to eat, she played with their kitty, and just had a good time soaking up love and attention. I know she missed me and I missed her, but I’m glad they got that special time together while I got to take that time for myself.

How Did It Go?

I think it went really well. It went excellent the first day and she napped and went to sleep well. The second night Adrian said he thought he probably ended up putting her to bed too late which kind of had a ripple effect of her not coping as well with me not being there. She ended up having a hard time going to sleep and then woke up in the night with a wet bed and really wanted me then, too. And she was probably tired the next day which left her somewhat cranky… But you know what? They handled it fine. He took her to the park, to the candy store, and to Chick-fil-A. He learned how hard it really is to get work done while taking care of her, too. I think he has a little more appreciation of all I do.

My Most Important Advice For You

I highly recommend taking a mama-only trip! If you’ve been thinking maybe you need to do this, my answer to you is, “YES! Do it, do it, do it!”

Do it.

Wherever you are in your mothering journey, you need some time to yourself. If you’re still breastfeeding, you might not be able to get away for as long as you will later, but even a few hours can work wonders when you’re in the thick of intense mothering and can barely remember what it’s like to have a little time for just you.

Now that I’m home I can really feel the difference. I knew I needed that break, and I knew I was carrying a heavy load of stress, but the feeling of having released that is really good and hard to describe and unexpected, even though it’s what I really wanted to get out of my trip.

I will try to share more in another post soon about my experience at the workshop. I loved it. It was full of heart-felt business and life teaching and wonderful connection with an amazing and diverse group of women. I’m thrilled and thankful that I was able to attend.

Postscript: I will also add here at the end that I had a pretty typical experience of coming down from the mountain… Meaning, life and its characteristic stresses didn’t hold back for long. In the past few days I’ve dealt with some really difficult, stressful times. While the blanket of peace that had descended couldn’t last forever, I still feel more peaceful and less anxious than before. It was good, and I’m still reaping the benefits.

While we can’t live forever on the mountaintop, those experiences are good for the soul.

What is your dream retreat? Tell me about it in the comments below.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Mama Bliss Coaching School Review

August 25, 2015 By Heather 5 Comments

You’re considering Kathy Stowell’s Mama Bliss Coaching School, but you’re not sure if it’s right for you? Here is my Mama Bliss Coaching School Review, based on my experience as a Mama Bliss Coaching School student and recent graduate. Registration is now open for the Fall session, so I hope this review is helpful in making your decision.

What Is Mama Bliss Coaching School?

As the name implies, Mama Bliss Coaching School is a 12-week life coach training program that equips you to start your own business as a Mama Bliss Coach. If you already have a business, you’ll be ready to complement your current work with a whole wealth of strategies to bring more happiness to your clients. It’s also a wonderful time to focus on your own growth as you learn the mama bliss coaching method.

Who Is Mama Bliss Coaching School For?

This program is designed for moms who would like to learn the Mama Bliss Coaching method and how to start a business as a Mama Bliss Coach. If you’re just starting in your business, you’ll love all the business information in Module 3.

And if you already have a business, Mama Bliss Coaching School is a great way to add more expertise and tools to your working mama toolbelt.

Whether you already have a business or are just starting out, this program is ideal for you if you have a heart for supporting and helping other mamas through your work.

Why Mama Bliss Coaching School With Kathy Stowell?

I was familiar with Kathy through her blog, and I enjoyed listening to her podcast. Her warmth, humor, and down-to-earth, nurturing personality drew me in, and I enjoyed reading her blog. She and I share a tendency towards natural parenting, homebirth, and simplifying life when possible. We also share an appreciation for Simplicity Parenting, while she has even been trained as a Simplicity Parenting coach.

My first experience with one of her teaching/coaching products was a free course she offered, called From Crummy to Yummy Mummy. I loved it. Later I did a paid course that was great, called The Three Month Coaching Biz Plan. (And now it’s included as a bonus for coaching school!)

I just knew I wanted to work with her one day. At first I was just thinking of working with her as my coach. As it turns out, through coaching school I got that and a whole lot more.

What led me to do Mama Bliss Coaching School is that I knew I wanted to support other mamas in creating their own happiest lives. I already had my blog, Happiness Mama, and I had been reading about life coaching and considering coach training when I found out about Kathy’s program. With its focus on self-care, creativity, values, and simplicity, as well as the concept of kaizen, continuous improvement through small steps, this program was ideal for me.

I loved that this was a 12-week program with such a laser focus on helping mamas achieve maximum bliss.

And I loved the structure of the program which made it very do-able for me as a busy mom (more on that later!).

Who Is Leading Mama Bliss Coaching School?

One thing I’ve learned through all of my years of school, from elementary school all the way through getting my Master’s degree in Education, not to mention my own work as a high school English teacher, is that the teacher makes all the difference. The right teacher is an expert in her field, is skilled at sharing what she knows and facilitating learning in a variety of ways, makes learning fun, and cares about you and your success.

Kathy exhibits all of these qualities.

With over 9 years of experience making blogging and business work for her, she knows what she’s talking about. She has had a successful coaching business while mindfully mothering her two children and maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

She is also a good teacher, with well-crafted lessons that get to the point, make you smile, and challenge you appropriately.

And she is a kind partner in the journey. She’s not looking down her nose at you. She is on your side to help you succeed as a Mama Bliss Coach.

I always felt supported and genuinely cared for, and I still do, even as a graduate of her program. That means a lot to me.

The Curriculum

There is a lot packed into these 12 weeks!

The course consists of three four-week modules, weekly calls, guest speakers, practice coaching, and more to help you implement what you are learning.

Weekly lessons are in pdf form, along with complete audio versions. I loved having the option to listen via audio. I would listen or relisten to lessons while walking to school to pick up my daughter or doing the dishes or other chores. This is perfect for busy mamas.

Here is what is covered in each of the three modules:

The Four Pillars of Mama Bliss Coaching
Mama Bliss Coaching Tools and Process
Building Your Thriving Mama Bliss Coaching Practice

Module 1 is focused on the four pillars of mama bliss, which are self-care, creativity, values, and simplicity. By attending to the foundation of your own four pillars, you become better prepared for the rest of the program. You learn not only what they are and how they apply to your life and your business, but you also experience the benefits of using tools you will later use with your clients. Module 1 is rejuvenating, uplifting, and helps you breathe a sigh of “Ahhhhh….” (Just like coaching, actually.)

In Module 2 you learn how to coach other mamas. Every week you learn new tools and apply them immediately through practice coaching with your partner.

And as mentioned earlier, Module 3 is where you learn all about how to start your coaching business, as well as how to maintain work/life balance as your business grows.

During this module we also learned from some amazing guest teachers. Two of my favorites were Corrina Gordon-Barnes and Jackie Johnstone.

Corrina Gordon-Barnes of You Inspire Me gave an amazing talk about pricing. And Jackie Johnstone taught us about her own four pillars of content creation for making social media easy, efficient, and effective.

While the guest teachers vary from session to session, students and graduates have access to recordings of previous guest lecturers, which is a huge bonus to me.

There are weekly office hours plus email support whenever you need it for any questions or needs that arise.

What Makes Mama Bliss Coaching School Different

I love learning, but this was more than your typical course in school.

Doing Mama Bliss Coaching School is a lot like being on retreat yourself, without having to leave home. In the first module you end up coaching yourself as you learn about the four pillars of mama bliss. You can expect growth and life transformation that will make you feel great.

I admit, I am a small group person. I love being able to really connect with others one-on-one if possible, and if not, then a small group is ideal for me. If you also value a small-group setting, this is for you. The program is capped at 20 participants, so you are guaranteed to receive plenty of one-on-one support.

You will also have a coaching partner, and for me, working with my coaching partner as we practiced implementing the coaching strategies and tools we were learning was the very best aspect of the program. As with most things, one can’t really learn to coach without practicing coaching. Both coaching and being coached is such a joy.

Something else that makes this program unique is Kathy herself. It is infused with her unique brand of warmth, nurturing, and humor. If you enjoy Kathy’s writing or other work and feel that she is someone you want to work closely with and learn from, then I believe this program would be a great fit for you.

You’ll also find other kindred spirits in the program. And that’s such a wonderful experience, to be part of an amazing group of women going through the program together.

Thankfully the MBCS community continues even after the 12 weeks are over. Coaching graduates become part of a family of coaches. You’ll be listed on her website and have lifetime support from Kathy.

Should You Invest in Kathy Stowell’s Mama Bliss Coaching School?

If you already have a blog, and you’d like to learn how to be a coach for mamas, this would probably be a great fit for you. If you don’t yet have a blog but would like to start one, the course includes helpful guidance for getting started with blogging and how to use your blog to promote your coaching business.

It’s also a treat for yourself, as you coach yourself and enjoy going through the program experiencing the different coaching strategies with your coaching partner and with guidance from Kathy.

I’ll admit, the cost was something that gave me pause. It was a big investment. But I knew that the time was now for me. I needed to go ahead and do this and not wait. If you feel that now is the time, Kathy offers payment plans to make it easier to afford.

I’m so happy I chose to do Mama Bliss Coaching School, and I’m loving my work as I start my coaching business. As a proud affiliate and graduate, I’d love to answer any questions you have about the program.

Self-Care Is Not Selfish, It’s Essential

July 27, 2015 By Heather 20 Comments

Everyday happiness…

Often it comes down to the basics of self-care which are so critical to our well-being, yet are so easy to let slip when we’re busy caring for our families and deep in the daily grind.

It can feel next to impossible to actually take time to nurture ourselves, time we could use to check more items off our to do list, complete chores or errands, and nurture our little ones or partners.

But the truth is, we have got to prioritize our own well-being, too, if we expect to do more than subsist.

To really thrive and live our best lives, and to be able to nurture the other people in our lives,

we need to nurture ourselves as well.

I know that I have so much more to give the other people in my life when I’m taking good care of myself. I’m not perfect at self-care, but I try.

And if I get distracted and lose my way for a while, I try to come back to where I need to be. It’s like coming back to the breath in meditation. If our mind wanders (as it will!), it doesn’t mean we’re a failure, or that we’re “doing it wrong.” It simply means that we’re human. And that’s a good thing!

The key is in the coming back.

Coming back to the breath, or to the path that you want to be on.

Life is a journey, and the path is not always straight. Spiraling around and around, sometimes away, and then back again… yet moving ever upward, as we live and learn and grow.

So even as we move away from self-care at times, we come back. And hopefully, as time goes on, we come back to our desired path a little more quickly each time.

Beyond Ourselves

As mothers, we have another reason to nurture ourselves, beyond our own well-being.

Taking good care of ourselves sets a vital example for our children.

We want them to be people who love themselves and take good care of themselves. How powerful to observe their mother living that out, loving herself while loving others.

It’s impossible in fact to love others if you’re not loving yourself.

You matter. Your happiness matters.

It can be easy to forget that, when we have such big needs around us. We are in high demand, and there’s so much to do. And we love our children so much. And we want to be the best mother we can be.

We know need to take care of ourselves… It’s just that it’s not always easy to put it into practice. I get it.

So What Can We Do?

A good first step is to reflect on how you’re doing. Are your basic self-care needs being met?

Self-Care Check In: How Are You Doing?

Are you drinking enough water every day?
Are you moving your body?
Are you eating good food?
Are you finding time for stillness?
Are you getting enough sleep?
Are you making time for creative play and fun?
Are you connecting with your friends and loved ones?
Are you connecting with your true self, your values, and your desires?

For me, sleep is the foundation of my self-care. If I don’t get enough sleep, I’m a mess. I can’t focus, I can’t seem to get anything done, and I’m just not happy.

Movement is also so important… I really need to get outside and take a walk every day. (I know part of the benefit is also from just being outside.)

Stillness is another big one for me. Daily meditation, even for five minutes, helps me be more calm and less reactive when things get stressful.

And as an introvert, I also need quiet time to myself. I love to give to others, I love to meet other people’s needs, but I really need that totally alone time, too.

And even though I am an introvert, I also need connection. As an at-home mom, it’s not always easy to connect. I love the magic of the internet for connecting with far away kindred spirits. Yet it’s also a balance, and it takes a conscious effort to not get sucked in.

Strengthen Your Self-Care

Reflect on your life right now. How well are you taking care of yourself in each area?
Identify your self-care basics. Which of these are THE MOST important to your well-being?
What has worked in the past? What small steps can you take to add a little bit more of that self-care to your life?
Set your intentions, try, and celebrate when you do them. And don’t beat yourself up if you don’t.

It’s time to make you a priority. For yourself. For your children. For the people you love.

You have so much happiness to live. So much that only you can give.

And you can’t do it if you’re sleep-deprived, overworked, disconnected, and in a slump. Life is short, and you deserve more than that.

So take good care of you.

What About You?

What are your self-care basics? What are you struggling with? Let me know in the comments below.

Take good care, beautiful mamas!

Love,

Heather

40 Simple Ways to Be Happier Today

July 8, 2015 By Heather Leave a Comment

Every day you give of yourself to your loved ones, through all you do to care for them. Are you making time for your own self-care? Are you living the life you really want to live?

I hope so, dear one!

We can all use a reminder to make our own happiness a priority, and the beauty of it is that the happier we are, the happier our families are as well. The more we fill our own cup, the more we have to give to the people we love.

Here are 40 simple ways to be happier today.

Put them in your planner, post them near your desk, or pull them up whenever you need a reminder to prioritize your happiness. (To get them in a pretty printable pdf, sign up for the Happiness Mama Newsletter below.)

Enjoy reading, beautiful! I hope these ideas inspire you to take time for your happiness today.

Listen to podcasts! (Learn how here.)
Do yoga.
Remember: You are loved. You are okay. You are good enough.
You can do things you don’t think you can.
Achieve big goals through small steps.
Meditate every day.
Practice gratitude.
Forgive. It’s easier than holding a grudge.
Make time for play. What did you enjoy as a child?
Connect with friends. Call, text, email, social media. Do it!
Be creative, on your own and with the kids.
Have a system for getting things done. My favorite is David Allen’s book and system called Getting Things Done.
Enjoy setting goals, big and small.
Read inspiring books and blogs.
For more clarity, get everything out of your mind and onto paper.
Get started with just five minutes of whatever you need or want to do. Let that be enough, or let it lead to more. And then celebrate!
Think about your desired feelings and how you can incorporate them a little more into your everyday life.
Let go. Let go of perfection. Let go of what doesn’t really matter. Let go of whatever is weighing you down.
Simplify. Focus on what really matters most, and do that.
Take time to reflect.
Write your book, or pursue your dream, whatever it is. And just ignore the naysayers. Including your inner critic.
Make sleep a priority. Do whatever you can to get enough, 8 or 9 hours.
Go outside and take a walk.
Read books that make you laugh or cry. Or both.
Journal.
Talk about your feelings. Don’t keep them bottled up.
Stargaze. Drink in the beauty of nature.
Get rid of junk or unused items that are cluttering your life and space.
Get rid of stuff your family has outgrown, both things and clothes.
Get rid of multiples.
Set a timer for five minutes and work ’til it goes off.
Appreciate the tools you love and use.
Declutter one drawer.
Get what you need. Don’t put it off.
Be creative, on your own and with your family. Draw, paint, cook, make things.
Take photographs with your fancy camera.
Reflect: How will you feel about this at the end of the day?
Reflect: How will you feel about this in thirty years?
Reflect: How will you feel about this at the end of your life?
Be gentle with yourself, and keep moving in the direction you want to go.

Over to You

Which of these tips do you want to implement?

Which are already part of your life?

Let me know in the comments below. (Scroll all the way down.) :) I’d love to hear from you.

Would you like to try coaching, for free?

One of the best ways to add more happiness to your life is through coaching.

For a limited time, I am offering a free coaching session in exchange for 30 minutes of your time. You let me pick your brain about your struggles, desires, and everything in between, and I will give you a 30-minute mama bliss coaching session in return. Win-win!

If you’re a mindful mama who desires more happiness and would love support in intentionally living your best life, I’d love to talk to you. Just use my contact form or send me an email, and mention “free coaching in exchange for interview.” I’m looking forward to getting to know you better!

Take good care of yourself! You deserve happiness.

Love,

Heather

P.S. If you like this article, please share it with your friends and family. The social share buttons below make it easy.

How to Listen to a Podcast

April 13, 2015 By Heather 11 Comments

Do you devour books and magazines, but never have enough time to read to your heart’s content?

Do you crave more time to talk to your girlfriends, but find it hard with busy family schedules?

Would you love to make house cleaning, running errands, and other mundane tasks more fun?

Of course, right?

Enter, the podcast.

Listening to podcasts is something I’ve been enjoying for the past year or so.

I love it.

I feel like I’m getting some “me time” while getting other things done.

If you haven’t yet started listening to podcasts, I highly recommend it.

What Is a Podcast?

A podcast is like a radio show, except it’s on the internet instead of the radio. There are podcasts on every subject imaginable.

Happiness. Home. Mothering. Writing. Blogging. Business.

Fashion. Travel. Lifestyle.

Simplicity.

Mindfulness.

You name it, there’s a podcast about it.

So many podcasts, so little time!

In just a few minutes, you’ll be ready to listen to your first podcast.

So what are we waiting for?! Let’s get started!

How to Listen to a Podcast

Perhaps the simplest way to listen to a podcast is directly through your computer.

In that case, you simply go to the blog or webpage of the podcast and press play. You can also listen through ITunes.

I almost never do this, because I love being able to listen while doing other things.

In this tutorial, I’m going to walk you through listening using a free app on your phone.

The app I currently use is called Podcast Addict.

1. Download Podcast Addict.

Go to the Google Play Store on your phone. Click on Apps. Search for “podcast.”

When I did this, Podcast Addict was the top result. Click to download.

2. Find podcasts and subscribe.

Open Podcast Addict on your phone.

On the top right of the screen you will see a plus sign in a circle. Click that.

You can search by topic or title using the “Search Engine” or you can try using the other links to browse. Make sure to check the box that says “Search in iTunes.”

My podcast is called (surprise!) The Happiness Mama Podcast with Heather Ash. Click the search button, type in “Happiness Mama” and press Done. You will see my podcast.

You could also put in your favorite blogger or blog name, or just type in a topic you’re interested in. That way you can find podcasts about a topic or featuring a specific guest.

For example, if you search for my name, you can find other podcasts that I’ve been a guest on.

Once you find “The Happiness Mama Podcast” or another podcast you like, press Subscribe.

3. Download and play.

Go back home, and you will see the podcast listed on your home page.

Click it, and then you will see all the different episodes to choose from.

Click one that sounds good.

You can just press play, but I usually download first to avoid problems with streaming. Also if you’re leaving the house to take a walk or run errands, you’ll definitely want to download your episodes first.

At the top of the screen, you will see a downward pointing arrow over a horizontal line. Press that button to download. If your phone goes to “sleep” while downloading, wake it up so it will continue and finish the process.

After it downloads, you will see a large triangular play button at the bottom of the screen.

Press Play!

How to Listen

It is possible to just listen straight from your phone, but for more volume and flexibility, I recommend choosing from one of the options below…

Headphones

If I’m taking a walk or moving around the house, I often use my LG Tone+ Bluetooth headset. These allow freedom of movement, and they also don’t disturb sleeping babies or other people in your house.

Another option is non-bluetooth headphones. Just make sure you have a pocket to carry your phone.

A Bowl

I actually learned this clever trick from listening to Meagan’s podcast.

If you are going to be in one area, say, the kitchen, just grab a cereal bowl and put your phone in, speaker-side down.

The bowl acts as a surprisingly effective amplifier for the sound so you can load the dishwasher and still hear the podcast.

It’s pretty amazing how well it works.

Use a Speaker

This little speaker called the Etekcity Roverbeats is amazing.

All you do is turn it on, and it automatically connects with your phone via bluetooth.

The volume is really impressive given its small size. If I turn it up all the way I can hear it across the house. I love how it makes it really easy to hear in a loud kitchen or as I’m moving around the house.

It’s also a good option if you don’t like the feel of earbuds in your ears.

It comes with a soft cloth bag to store it in, which is a nice plus.

Enjoy!

That’s all there is to it!

It’s really easy.

In case you’d like some suggestions to get started, here are some of my favorite podcasts:

In my podcast, I’m talking to mindful mamas about consciously creating a happier life for ourselves and our families. By prioritizing our own happiness and nurturing ourselves, we set a powerful example for our children and partners to take good care of themselves, too. Loving others starts with loving ourselves.

The first season of The Happiness Mama Podcast is focused on creativity, so I’m talking to creative moms about their creative passions, how to find time for creativity, and happiness.

You can subscribe through Podcast Addict, through iTunes, or via RSS.

If you’d like to listen directly through the blog, you can browse the podcast episodes by clicking on Podcast in the menu bar at the top.

In The Home Hour, mother of five Meagan Francis talks with guests about all sorts of things related to family and home life. As she puts it, “everything within your four walls.” Meagan is smart and down-to-earth, and listening to her feels like chatting with a good friend. Meagan has been a big inspiration to me in my blogging and podcasting journey.

Another favorite is Bliss Beyond Naptime with Kathy Stowell. Kathy has a warm personality and a great sense of humor, and she talks to other women about their journeys toward “simplifying mamahood.” Kathy has also been a huge inspiration to me.

I’d love to hear about the podcasts you love! Let me know in the comments, and if you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends!