Rumer Willis Wants to Prioritize Self-Care Instead of 'Filling Every Moment With Something Productive' When She's Not Mothering

Rumer Willis feels like she has to get work and tasks around the house done when she’s not actively caring for her 1-year-old daughter Louetta, and moms everywhere will relate to the complex guilt she feels when she isn’t “filling every single moment with something productive.”

On Monday, the mom of one shared a few candid videos on her Instagram Story. Willis began by asking fellow mothers in her digital audience if they identified with what she was about to unpack. “Lou is visiting with her dad right now and I was working all morning doing a bunch of stuff, and when he came to get her, I was sitting there at my computer trying to work,” she said. “I found myself just doing a bunch of mindless things and I kept getting distracted. I feel like I have that thing where, when I’m not with her, I feel like I have to fill every single moment with something productive and I can’t just take care of myself,” Willis confessed.

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She explained that even basic self-care needs feel like too much of an indulgence. “Just slowing down and doing something, like, I decided to get in the bath because I can’t remember the last time I had time to just take a bath by myself at an adult temperature,” Willis said with a chuckle. “So I find it really hard to just relax and let myself rest and make that a priority.”

The actress continued, “And I know that people talk about this, but it was really interesting to kind of see it in action. I’ve been on emails and work Zooms and stuff all day long, and I made bone broth and I did meal prep for her and trying to clean the house after being gone. And the few hours that I have to myself to be able to give back to myself or replenish myself, I’m sitting there trying to think of other work I can do.”

Willis mused about the feeling of guilt being ingrained into women once they become mothers and hear that the baby’s needs come above all else. “I just, I wonder if that’s kind of part of our just society as mothers to keep constantly pushing ourselves, sometimes even past our physical or emotional limits because that’s what we think we have to do,” she said.

The House Bunny star added that she wanted to be vulnerable about her experience in case other moms feel the same way. “I don’t know, I was just thinking about it and I felt like I wanted to share because I think so often—especially as moms—you can get into this mode of it being quite isolating and I feel like sharing and the shared experience can actually be really supportive,” Willis said. “So if you’re feeling this way, I just want you to know that you’re not alone.”

Willis pointed out the importance of prioritizing self-care even if it feels frivolous. “It’s really challenging to take a moment to reinvest in myself, even if it’s something as small as hopping in the bath for a little while — I know that that is so beneficial to my mental health so that I can show up for her fully,” she said. “I’m constantly making her food or getting the bath ready for her or [you’re] finding activities that make sure they drink enough water … you forget to do the same things for yourself.”

Self-care is so critical for everyone, especially parents. Taking time to rest, relax, and tend to your needs fills your cup so you can be the best version of yourself for your kids. Whether it’s enjoying a bubble bath, watching an episode of your favorite show, or going to the gym, find time to care for yourself. Self-care helps you be the best caretaker for your children and shows them that everyone, mothers included, deserves to prioritize their health and happiness rather than running ragged while caring for everyone else.

Even when you’re famous, mom guilt is a thing, as these celebrity moms show.

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