Episode 99

Collaboration and Self-Care

Published on: 16th March, 2025

In our 99th episode, Jill and Linda explore how collaboration can be a powerful form of self-care for moms. As we all navigate the exhaustion and demands of motherhood, finding ways to share the load with others isn't just practical—it's essential for our wellbeing. From carpooling arrangements to podcast partnerships, this conversation reveals how connecting with others helps lighten our burdens while strengthening our relationships.

Episode Highlights:

Collaboration as Load-Sharing: Discover how simple arrangements like carpooling for kids' activities can create breathing room in your schedule while building community with other parents.

Start Small and Time-Limited: When beginning new collaborative efforts, consider starting with a defined timeframe (like a 6-week commitment) to reduce pressure and make it easier to say "yes."

Relationship First, Plan Second: The strongest collaborations protect the relationship above all else. As Linda points out, "The plan is something that we just follow the rules on so we can protect our relationship."

Finding the Overlap: Before diving into collaboration, identify where your "whys" match up with potential partners. Jill and Linda share how they used a Venn diagram to discover shared goals before starting their podcast.

Accept Help Without Guilt: Jill's example of neighborhood childcare swapping reminds us that allowing others to help isn't a burden—it often provides mutual benefits that serve everyone involved.

Moving Forward:

If you're feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list, consider what burdens you could share with someone else this week. Even small acts of collaboration can provide meaningful relief. As we prepare for our milestone 100th episode featuring special guest listeners, we invite you to reflect on your own collaborative experiences. How might you create more "light lifts" in your life by connecting with others?


Reach out through our show notes email or social channels to share your thoughts—we'd love to hear how you're using collaboration as self-care in your own motherhood journey!


Remember: You don't have to do it all alone. That's not just good advice—it's good self-care.

Connect with us:

Email your questions for our 100th episode to muckedupyourselfcare@gmail.com

Join the conversation about what intentional self-care means to you.

You can also find Jill on Instagram @mamaoutspoken and https://www.mamaoutspoken.com/ and Linda @hellolindabonney or https://www.lindabonney.com.

Until next week – we hope you can unstuck your muck!

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About the Podcast

Mucked Up My Self-Care Podcast
Real, Raw and Unedited Conversations From Two Global Moms/Mums
A podcast for moms about the real, raw, and unscripted perspectives of guilt-free self-care by two moms across the globe. This unedited podcast is real life and their personal experiences told in friendly conversation style. Advocating for all moms who have mucked up their self care.

There are so many others out there that aren't successfully solving the real problem of trying to figure out what self-care is. We want to bring to light the reality of what self-care can look like for moms who struggle to fit it in, don't know what will work for them, and the ways that it hasn't worked. We want to have conversations about the guilt we feel when we are pressured to mother ourselves when we don't know how and aren't given the support to in our society today.

About your hosts

Jill Olish

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Linda Bonney

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