This Mother’s Day, I asked Rita if she would like to have a short conversation about what it means to take care of yourself, how we build habits of self‑love, and what I try to teach her, because let's be honest, being a mother is not easy while wanting to raise a kind person with self-love and self-confidence but also someone who is grounded and respectful to others.
So I asked Rita a series of questions about self‑care, beauty, kindness, and what she has learned from me. Her answers were sincere and raw; nothing was "orchestrated".
What does self‑care mean to Rita?
I asked Rita, "What does self-care mean to you, and what do you like best?" She gave me the sweetest answer: 'Taking a shower' is spelt in a word that is a mix between Spanish and Romanian that comes from "duchar" - taking a shower; this is Rita's reality nowadays, mixing the languages she speaks daily and having a long bath with colourful bath bombs, and her favourite activity is going with her mother to the village beauty salon. I love it! Sometimes, I take her to the salon just to have her nails done (without nail polish), to wash her hair, and for other small gestures that I believe make a difference in how we feel about ourselves.
Mantras that stick
This is not something new for you if you are part of my community. Rita says pretty often this mantra in Romanian, English, Spanish, and French: "I am beautiful; I am smart; I trust myself."
Hearing her repeat these words reminded me how powerful it is when children hear positive self‑talk from the people they trust most.
When I was Rita’s age, I had no idea how much self-confidence changes everything. Of course, at a certain level and under certain conditions, other people's opinions matter, but even more important, I think, is what YOU believe about yourself. This is the reason I taught Rita these magical words.
Lessons on beauty and kindness
You should definitely watch my reel on Instagram, which is also included in this article, to hear Rita's answer. But let me tell you something. Alex and I have always wanted a child. We even had the name "Rita" chosen many years before I even got pregnant. But we have discussed several times whether we truly want to bring a child into this world as it is. And afterwards, we thought: if we teach our kid to be kind, respectful, and caring, there will be one more kind adult on this Earth. The idea is good.
Mom’s Self‑Care Rituals
I also asked Rita: What does Mommy do when she wants to feel better? What are her favorite activities? Her answer was simply delicious.
But the truth is that I began taking really good care of myself AFTER I became a mother. I felt, for the first time, that it's not only about me; it's not ok. I want or don't want to be healthy at any level: physically, mentally, or emotionally. I have a human being depending on me and for whom I am a role model. It's not enough to tell her what is ok to do, but she needs to see all of these rituals, routines, etc. done in our house.
I talk openly with her about why I do certain things, as they are a normal part of our lives. I don't want her to think that getting older, having physical imperfections, or menstruating are taboo subjects. They are not. We are humans; we are not perfect and not meant to be so.
Talking about self-care and daily routines or rituals that help me feel good with myself and nourished, I added M31 True Collagen Creamer, a bovine hydrolysed collagen creamer that I like to put in my morning coffee, to my daily routine. I have been using collagen products from Molecules of Youth for almost 2 years, and I am very happy with the results, which include M18 Beauty Collagen Pro for skin, hair, and nails, M19 Beauty Collagen Pro for skin, hair, and nails, and Molecules of Youth's M34 Joints Collagen PRO.
Why Vitamins Matter
I also explain to Rita why I take vitamins. She is very curious, and I am trying my best to explain to her. I took supplements very inconsistently until my hair fell out so badly, my memory loss was so serious, my panic attacks were so frequent, and my chronic anxiety was so present that I decided to adopt this habit.
What have been my favorites so far?
My favorites so far include CBD+ Hemp Seed Oil from HempAID for easing anxiety, M36 Zinc Bisglycinate, and M13 Bioactive B12, which is a natural, bioactive vitamin B12 that supports energy, mood, and overall well-being.
Who inspires me the most to maintain discipline with supplements? Dana Sota.
I highly recommend her, and let me assure you 100% that she does what she preaches. I worked very closely with Dana for 2 years, so I know what I am saying.
Self‑care is a ritual, not a destination.
Self‑care is not about perfection. It’s about the daily routines we choose because we deserve care, attention, and nourishment. It’s the way we show ourselves love so we can show it fully to the people we love the most. And this is what I want to teach my daughter. Is it easy? Am I succeeding all the time? Of course not; I strive to be real, not perfect.
If you find yourself inspired by my conversation with Rita, consider making one small habit part of your day, whether it’s a mindful sip of coffee with collagen, taking your vitamins with intention, or simply speaking kind words to yourself.
Because self-care, at its core, is the act of saying, "I matter and so does my well-being."
You can read here, here, here, here and here about my personal journey with these products.
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These products represent dietary supplements. Read the leaflet or the information on the packaging carefully. If any unpleasant reactions occur, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
*This article is part of a fantastic collaboration with RepublicaBIO, a Romanian business that I admire.
