Fill Your Cup First: A Real Talk Guide for Mums
Fill Your Cup First
You’ve heard it. Maybe seen it stitched onto a Pinterest quote board. But it hits different when you’re juggling a never-ending to-do list, an inbox full of ‘just checking in’ messages, and you’ve reheated your coffee three times and still haven’t drunk it.
Because here’s the thing: most of us mums aren’t filling our cups first. We’re tipping from an almost-empty jug and wondering why we feel exhausted, resentful or like nothing is quite working.
Let’s talk about why that needs to change. Especially for you – the mum, the woman, the dreamer trying to make something of her own without losing herself in the process.
But I’m Just a Mum Trying to Make Ends Meet…
This one’s personal. Because for a long time, that was me.
Not an entrepreneur with a grand five-year plan. Just a mum, trying to scrape together extra cash, to breathe a little easier at the end of the month.
The rising cost of living didn’t leave much room for dreams. But still – there was that tiny tug. A whisper of ‘what if…’
And here’s something I’ve learned along the way: when women, especially mums, create flexible income streams online, it’s not just about the money.
It’s about control. Dignity. Freedom to say yes to your kids’ school trip without checking the bank first.
It’s also the freedom to build in a way that respects your energy, not drains it. That’s why I come back to this idea of fill your cup first. Because building from burnout doesn’t work.
It doesn’t stick. And it sure doesn’t feel good.
The Buckets That Actually Matter (Thanks, Steven Bartlett)
I’m reading Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett — and honestly, I’m kind of obsessed!
In pillar 1, Law 1, he talks about five ‘buckets’ we all need to fill if we want to do meaningful work and live well: knowledge, skill, network, resources, and reputation. Sounds simple, right? But there’s real depth to it.
The inspiration for these buckets actually came from an event Steven attended in New York, hosted by guru monk and spiritual leader Radhanath Swami.
Steven asked him a question that really stuck with me:
Is building a business and enriching myself a more noble pursuit than going to Africa to try to save lives?
And the monk’s reply?
You can’t pour from empty buckets
Which hit me even harder!
That’s so true. We spend so much time worrying about everyone else – our families, our communities, our customers – but sometimes forget that we have to fill our own tanks first.
It reminded me of that pre-flight safety announcement – you know, the one where they tell you to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.
I used to think, ‘No freaking way — I’d help my son first.’ That’s instinct, right? But the truth is – if I can’t breathe, if I pass out from lack of oxygen – I’m not helping anyone. Not my son. Not even myself.
Same goes for life, for motherhood, for building a business. You can’t show up fully when you’re constantly running on empty.
Here’s the thing about those buckets: you need to fill them in order.
Most of us skip the first two — knowledge and skill — because, well, they’re slow, quiet, and frankly, a bit unglamorous. But you can’t skip them and expect the rest to hold. Your network won’t stick if you’ve got nothing to offer, and your reputation won’t shine without something solid behind it.
So, when I say fill your cup first, I really mean start there. Build your knowledge. Grow your skills. Let that be enough for now.
If you’re in that early, messy, learning-while-living stage, I’ve put together something that might help. It’s called the 15-Minute Business Blueprint For Mums, designed to give you clarity — fast. Especially if your head is spinning with ideas but you don’t know where to start.
You’ll find a way to grab it at the end of this post.
Morning Energy, Strong Foundations
I’m a morning person. Always have been… ever since I had my son. No choice really!!! Those early wake-up calls turned into a habit and now, I actually love the quiet head start. It’s when I feel most focused, most me
My morning gym sessions are my secret weapon: consistent, small steps that build real momentum. Kind of like building a business, really.
That burst of energy first thing? It helps me fill my cup and set the tone for the whole day.
If you ever feel torn between being there for your family and chasing your own goals, you’re not alone – and you’re definitely not doing it wrong. You’re doing it bravely
Final Thoughts: Start With You
So many mums are out there trying to build something while holding everything else up – relationships, homes, calendars, mental loads that nobody else sees.
But you can’t pour from empty buckets.
Like Steven Bartlett said, ‘Someone with full buckets can bend the world as they like.’ But first? You have to fill them.
Fill your cup first. Not just because it feels good. But because it’s the only way this works.
If you’re building something of your own – whether you’re still in the research phase or knee-deep in side hustle chaos – don’t skip the part where you get what you need.
Download the 15-Minute Business Blueprint — it’s especially useful if you’re in that ‘knowledge and skills’ stage and want clarity, fast.
And if you’re curious about the book that sparked all of this? Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett, I highly recommend it. It’s packed with honest truths and practical takeaways – for business, parenting, even managing the madness of day-to-day life.
