Real Talk With Addie: 5 Ways Our Founder is Practicing Self-Care This

Hi all! It's Addie (the co-founder of SweetLegs) taking over the blog today.

When I was asked to write about self-care, I had to laugh out loud. At 42, juggling six kids, four sheep, an alpaca, and a thriving business, the concept of self-care feels more like a distant fantasy than a practical reality. The polished, Instagram-worthy self-care moments I see online? They don’t exactly line up with my world of carpool chaos, grocery store marathons, and running a company. But when I really stopped to think about it, I realized that self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. It can be found in the small, everyday moments that bring joy and a sense of peace amidst the madness.

Chris and I hustle hard, and uninterrupted quality time together is rare. Because of that, Valentine’s Day has never been a major event in our household. Instead of grand romantic gestures, we show love in a series of small, meaningful ways throughout the week. The truth is, life gets busy—overwhelmingly so—and these big, commercialized holidays just don’t hold the same significance they once did. But that doesn’t mean I don’t cherish the little things, this month and every month. So this February, I’m making a point to prioritize myself in small but impactful ways. Here’s how I plan to sprinkle some self-care into my everyday life:

Stealing Quiet Moments for Myself

My version of luxury isn’t a spa retreat—it’s brewing a fresh cup of coffee in my favourite oversized mug, slipping into my SweetLegs Joggers and my coziest Everyday Pullover, and curling up with a good book. This month, I’m finally cracking open Onyx Storm and letting myself get lost in the story. Will I get a full uninterrupted day to indulge in this? Highly unlikely. But even if I only manage to read a few chapters while waiting in the school pickup line or between folding endless piles of laundry, it still counts. These moments, no matter how brief, refill my cup.

Wearing What Brings Me Joy

My philosophy when it comes to fashion? If it makes me happy, I’m wearing it. This month, that means embracing my love for fun, festive fashion and rocking the new Sweetheart Sparkle SweetLegs. Not only am I doing it for myself, but also for my little ones, who absolutely light up when they get to match with Mom. There’s something special about their excitement that makes even the busiest days a little brighter.

Loving Hard on My Babies

If there’s one thing that truly fills my cup, it’s soaking up moments with my kids. Valentine’s Day in our house often means me staying up way too late making homemade cards with cheesy puns like "I love you TO-MA-TOES," and waking up early to make a poor attempt at heart-shaped pancakes. Sure, they may turn out more like oddly shaped blobs, but the laughter, the excitement, and the love that radiates from my little ones make it all worth it. These seemingly small traditions are actually what rejuvenate me the most.

Learning the Power of Saying No

Setting boundaries is a skill I’m still working on, but I’m making a conscious effort to get better at it. For too long, I’ve been the person who says “yes” to everything, often at the expense of my own well-being. This month, I’m prioritizing what truly matters, tuning into my own needs, and allowing myself to say no—without guilt. Because the truth is, when I stretch myself too thin, I’m no good to anyone, including myself.

Leaning on My People When I Need It

Admitting that I need help has never been easy for me, but I’ve come to realize that no one is meant to do it all alone. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and I am incredibly grateful for the women in my life who recognize when I’m struggling and step up without hesitation. These women show up to be models with their kids, bring gifts and snacks to my house while I support my terminally ill father, or just offer to come sit with me when the grief gets to be too much. They remind me that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength. This season has reinforced just how valuable it is to have a strong, supportive network of people who genuinely care.

If carving out long, luxurious self-care rituals feels out of reach, don’t beat yourself up over it. Life is demanding, and some seasons are harder than others. But self-care isn’t about grand, picture-perfect moments—it’s about doing small things that nourish your soul and bring you joy, even on the busiest days. Simply showing up—as a parent, a partner, a friend, or even just for yourself—is an act of self-love in itself. And sometimes, that’s more than enough.

What are you doing this month to create a moment of self-care? Remember, it doesn’t have to be Instagram-worthy—it just has to fill your cup.

xoxo,

Addie