Featuring Vanessa Soares
Self care is more than just a luxury; it’s a vital practice that helps us reconnect with what makes us feel energized, grounded, and truly alive. It’s about tuning into our needs and prioritizing our well-being in a world that often demands more than we can give.
Whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental care; self care is essential for maintaining balance and thriving in everyday life. In our busy lives, self care often feels impossible to fit in. Work, family, and daily responsibilities can leave us feeling drained and disconnected. However, even small moments of self care can have a big impact on our mental and emotional health. It’s not about taking hours out of your day or following a perfect routine. It’s about finding moments to reset, whether through a short walk, a deep breath, or simply taking time to reflect. These small acts of care can help us recharge and build resilience for life’s challenges.
We sat down with Vanessa, the founder and creative director of Motherpluckers, to discuss her approach to self care. She shared how setting boundaries, creating moments of reflection, and practicing mindfulness have been crucial for her well-being. Vanessa’s approach shows that no matter how busy life gets, prioritizing self care is essential for thriving, both personally and professionally.
1. What makes you feel powerful?
Being ok with any outcome that life sends my way, is when I feel most powerful. It’s empowering to face life with an open heart, unafraid of any possibilities, confident in my ability to handle whatever comes. Knowing I’ve overcome scarier challenges in the past and kept moving forward reassures me of my strength. Believing in my problem-solving skills and trusting myself to navigate challenges with resilience gives me a true sense of power.
2. If self care were a playlist, what would your top three songs be?
- Good as Hell by Lizzo
- Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae
- Flowers by Miley Cyrus
3. What’s one “no” that felt like a big “yes” to your mental health?
Saying ‘no’ to family function and social invitation used to fill me with guilt, but now it’s an act of self-love. Declining allows me to create space to truly love and support others without neglecting my own needs.
4. What’s a ritual that feels like a hug from your past self?
Something that really fuels my inner child is yoga. I love seeing the ways that intentional movement can change what my body can do. It’s about pushing limits; with practise you’re able to stretch further, balance better and eventually your arms stop shaking. As an adult, there aren't games of tag like when you're a kid, so setting aside time for movement is how I reconnect with my younger self. I also love doing fun arts and crafts or DIYs that help me engage with my creativity and playful spirit. Having moments to focus deeply and create something feels like a warm embrace to my younger self.
5. What’s your ultimate “reset” button?
Spending a day at the spa, enjoying a massage, turning off my phone (or putting it on Do Not Disturb), and taking a restorative nap feels like pressing the ultimate reset button for my mind and body.
6. What’s a compliment you’ve been meaning to give yourself?
I often withhold acknowledgment of my achievements because it never feels like enough. But I want to remind myself: you’ve done more than enough, and it’s okay to celebrate the little wins. Resting and relaxing doesn’t mean you’re falling behind — it’s part of taking care of yourself. I’ve earned the right to slow down (and so have you).
2024 was a year of incredible growth, both personally and professionally. From getting engaged to developing a course for George Brown College, all while managing the day-to-day hustle at Motherpluckers, it was nothing short of transformative. This year taught me the importance of carving out time for myself — a necessary step to show up fully as a business owner, friend, fiancé, daughter, and every other role I hold in life. I hope this post inspires you to pause, even amidst the chaos, and prioritize yourself. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
See you next Sunday!
Your Self Care Must Haves!
"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare"
Vanessa Soares
Vanessa Soares has been perfecting the art of brows for over 15 years. What began as a side hustle blossomed into Motherpluckers six years ago—a thriving brow and lash bar she’s proudly built from the ground up. Today, Vanessa continues to share her passion as a course developer and instructor at George Brown College, inspiring the next generation of beauty professionals.