by Prue Henschke | Jun 28, 2018 | Two minutes with interview series
When was the last time you had “me-time” and how did you spend that time?
Last night actually. I went for a walk with my friend - you can mentally achieve so much in that time, we tend to put the world right! We walked for about 8km and because I’m doing it with a friend it’s definitely more social.
What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care?
I am a huge fan of physical activity. I find personally it’s the best way to clear my head. I tend to get a tad grumpy when I don’t work out. Some of my favourites are Body combat, Body balance, Booty Barre, Kettle Bells or simply walking with a friend. Exercising lets off the endorphines that make you feel good. I have also recently got back into reading - no phone or electronic devices, just a good old fashioned book. There is something that is so lovely about turning those pages.
What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself?
I think it’s more about the guilt we feel having me time when we could be doing something for the children. But I swore that once that little baby came into the world I wouldn’t forget who I was before I had her. We all need me time - it makes us better mums. Do something you love whether it be exercising/reading/hanging out with a friend, going to the beauticians or sitting in total and utter silence with a glass of wine. It’s all about self preservation. I have a hectic life but I make sure at least twice a week I do something for me, even if it’s only for an hour. The house will not collapse without me and sometimes you need to take a step back and smell the roses, or in my case, drink the wine!
by Prue Henschke | Jun 17, 2018 | Two minutes with interview series
When was the last time you had “me-time” and how did you spend that time?
Three weeks ago. I had a particularly rough week, the week prior, I called Endota and booked in for a massage. Truth be told I’ve had a voucher from my husband since Christmas and that was the first time I’ve used it! wayyyy overdue. It was incredible, just what I needed.
What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care?
My days are pretty busy. I make it to the gym 2 x per week, sometimes 3 and my driving factor is the sauna after. That’s my favourite me time. Other than that, hmmm I eat super healthy, I’m a bit of a health nut, so I spend a good deal of time on the weekend preparing healthy meals for the week ahead. Healthy eating, early nights, they are things I don’t budge on no matter how busy I am.
What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself?
I’m not great at making time. I’m still learning. learning and trying. The gym is a necessity for my mental and physical health. The one way I ensure it , is to get all 3 kids to bed early! That way I can have me time after they go to bed. I get a good chunk in that way and look forward to it. I usually use that time to have a bath, or a glass of wine and some dark chocolate, chocolate at the end of every day just makes everything better.
by Prue Henschke | Jun 14, 2018 | Two minutes with interview series
When was the last time you had “me-time” and how did you spend that time?
The last time I had ‘me-time’ was today when I had a bath! I know it’s not very Australian (l’m originally from the UK!) but I have a bath nearly every day because I find it relaxing and peaceful. As my kids are now a little bit older, they know to leave me alone when I’m in the bath - although I do get the occasional visitor or sometime my cat or dog hangs out with me!! I find that having somewhere to escape to that is 100% mine steels me for the rest of the time when I am ‘on’ for everyone else.
What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care?
During the week I get up at 5.45am and do a 20 minute meditation followed by a bath (see above). Although it is often painful to get up so early I find this quiet time in the morning prepares for the day, particularly the potentially stressful time of getting the kids up and off to school without them killing each other! It also sets the tone for my day - I have prioritised self care first and my cup is then full to give of my selves to others.
I also make time in my week to exercise - my favourites are Zumba (so much fun), yoga (great for the body and mind) and Pilates (keeps my body from falling apart!). I also love getting out in nature with the family and taking my dog Coco for a walk.
I make time to regularly catch up with friends and spend one on one time with my hubby. Motherhood can be a lonely journey and although social media is great, there is nothing better than catching up with friends in person and feeling like a human again. It’s easy to let the kids’ needs ambush the household but so important for you to enjoy couple time with your partner to remember that you are not only co-parents but still friends and lovers.
What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself?
Now that my children are older and at school, finding time for me is a bit easier than when they were very young. During this period I was extremely sleep deprived and their needs were very immediate and time consuming. I wish that I had discovered meditation during this early phase of motherhood - I think if i had it may have prevented some of the serious problems I experienced with anxiety and depression a little later on in my motherhood journey. There are now so many amazing resources out there from meditation apps to mindfulness challenges that did not exist when I was a mum of young children. I really encourage all mums to practice some kind of meditation or mindfulness for at least 5 minutes a day - the benefits are cumulative and even 5 minutes a day can be a huge help.
The other thing I do, which may seem out of reach for some Mums - is treat myself a weekend away a year at a wellness retreat. This is something I look forward to each year as the ultimate gift to myself and my family - they appreciate their time together without me, they appreciate me so much more when I return, and I return with more vitality, love and enthusiasm for my role as mum. Given that our role as mum is a 24 hour/365 day a year unpaid and often unappreciated gig, I have no problem investing in myself both financially and time wise to make this happen.
Even though my kids are a bit older now, I do have a new baby - my new business METreat Retreats! As I am so passionate about my baby, I am very tempted to devote all my hours to either childcare or my business. But I am very mindful of not letting myself get too carried away at the computer and make sure I have a break every day to exercise, take the dog for a walk, attend networking events with other working mums, and eat something healthy.
by Prue Henschke | Jun 10, 2018 | Two minutes with interview series
When was the last time you had “me-time” and how did you spend that time?
I have ‘me-time’ anytime I put my own needs or desires ahead of others, including my kids! For me, the last time that happened was when I had a live sports event that I REALLY wanted to watch in real-time, not in replay. I decided that the kids weren’t getting bathed that night and dinner was PB&Js so it made for an easy evening routine so I could be ready and relaxed to view my program.
Sounds silly, but it’s those tiny times of putting yourself first that makes a difference overall.
What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care?
I am constantly pulled in a million different directions as a mom, wife, employer, friend, daughter, and sister. So I try to make sure that there is space for me to just be me for a bit. That might be me spending time trying to develop my website<http://www.selfiestoselfless.com> or reconnecting with friends that I haven’t seen as much since having kids.
I do some of the more typical things like getting my hair done or making a Target run (sans kids). And those are important too but don’t seem to have a lasting impact as much as having a more long-term object to focus on.
What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself?
If you are struggling to find that time organically, then schedule it. For real, get your calendar out on your phone and put in some time that just says ‘ME’ in it. Seeing that on your calendar will give you something to look forward to and will help get you in the right mindset to accept ‘me-time’ as normal and necessary. Even if you don’t have something lined up to do yet, just schedule it. Being alone with your thoughts can be super helpful as well because often we don’t have enough time to even let our brain wander to the parts that have been shoved to the side because of higher priorities. You would be surprised at what you will come up with if you just sit alone with your thoughts.
by Prue Henschke | Jun 7, 2018 | Two minutes with interview series
When was the last time you had “me-time” and how did you spend that time?
Ok, so me time to me, is time when I can relax and be myself without anyone asking something of me.. so I like to catch up on shows at night when the kids are all in bed and lunches are made. I put my ear pods in and catch up on the 7plus, nine now and tenplay apps. I don’t ever get a chance to watch these shows when they actually play on tv. Also when the older two are at kinder and school I’ll just have my baby and usually she’ll have her nap during the day, so I can either squeeze in some uninterrupted shopping or a coffee. To me this is enough.
What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care?
I love getting my nails done and I’m a hairdresser so I do my own hair these days as I don’t have that much time to go out and waste. But my morning routine consists of putting on my full make up and styling my hair. This makes me feel ready for the day. Also I love wearing something new and colour coordinated. If I’m happy about the way I look I’ll feel better about myself, I think.
What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself?
You need to set your priorities. You need to make time for yourself, let it be 5mins in the morning to put some makeup on or catch up with friends for a coffee or even catch up on your favourite shows. A woman’s job is never done so it will always be there, it can wait. We need to enjoy our selves a little and not only focus on cleaning and washing. It needs to be done and will get done eventually, but we need down time too to unwind and reenergise. It’s good for you, good for your kids and good for the family. If you’re happy, then everyone will be happy.. I think..
