by Prue Henschke | Aug 30, 2018 | Two minutes with interview series
When was the last time you had “me-time” and how did you spend that time?
I try to carve out even tiny bits of me-time daily. Even if it’s 20 minutes before my son wakes so I can have a quiet cup of coffee. I find I can be so much more present for him if I can start the day quiet and slow—even for a few minutes. Yesterday, I was blessed with a couple hours of me-time and I went to lunch by myself. Before I became a mother, I used to have loads of alone time built into every day. Not having that has been one of the biggest adjustments for me in my new mom life. I’m 8m pregnant now, so most of my me-time is spent eating in restaurants alone:) These days that feels like the ultimate luxury—even if it’s Chipotle!
What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care?
My go-to self-care methods vary. I try to check in to see what would serve me the most when I have an opportunity to indulge. Sometimes it’s acupuncture, often it’s lunch or coffee with a nourishing girlfriend. Lately (and especially with a new baby on the way), I’ve been setting up a lot of organizational systems in my home. I know that doesn’t seem like your typical self-care, but it feels like a gift I’ve given my future self every time I walk in my tidy pantry or open an organized closet drawer. I recently set up my online banking software to do automatic downloads, and every month I feel a wave of supreme joy. (I’m such a nerd.). The point is: self-care takes many forms. Sometimes a trashy magazine is what you need, sometimes it’s a glass of wine with your best friend, sometimes it’s setting up your financial software:) The trick is to be able to discern what you need when you need it.
What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself?
Ask for help! I’m still learning how to do this. When I’m working and can afford to, I will tack on an extra hour for my son’s nanny to stay so I can go for a walk before or after work. I struggle with the ubiquitous mom-guilt, but I also know from experience that I am a better self and a better mom for taking an extra 45 minutes for my own mental and physical health, even if I have to pay for it. A tip for working moms out there: take your lunch break (or part of it) and if you have the type of work life that can support it, do something for yourself like meditate, nap, go for a walk. I learned to love lunchtime online workouts in my dressing room and always feel better physically and mentally after carving out 30 minutes to sweat. Another thing that has been wonderful for our family has been to make sure the weekends are spent with some family time all together, and some times where my husband and I tag-team. It’s great for my son to have each of us one-on-one, and it gives us adults a few solo hours to work out or do whatever we want to do.
by Prue Henschke | Aug 26, 2018 | Two minutes with interview series
When was the last time you had “me-time” and how did you spend that time?
When I was on maternity leave with Mila, Fridays were my ‘me and Mila’ days. My husband James would take Bowie to childcare first thing in the morning whilst Mila and I slept in, and then he would bring me home breakfast. Mila and I would then set off to meet my girlfriend who has a baby the same age as Mila and we would see a ‘Mum’s and Bubs’ movie session. We would have an 11 am glass of champagne and box of popcorn whilst watching a film and then go out for lunch afterwards. The films were random old films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s which I would never sit down to watch unless I had the time scheduled in weekly. I would leave each Friday afternoon feeling really rejuvenated.
If we are talking about pure “me” time, as in no baby either, I like to get into the car by myself at night time once a month and drive out to 24 hour Kmart to shop for all things Kindie Mumma. I find it really strange to be in a car without kids these days and catch myself looking in the rear view mirror to make sure they are okay, only to remember that they aren’t even there. This is time when I can really clear my mind and take a deep breath.
What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care?
I make sure I eat three healthy meals a day, and to help me achieve this I prep food the night before. I boil eggs, chop vegetable sticks and steam brown rice so that when I’m hungry the following day I have everything set to go in separate containers for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Another little trick I learned along the way is that every time Mila goes down for a nap, I immediately make myself a cup of tea and sit down to drink it hot. This is regardless of how many other chores need doing or what the state of the house is. Once I’ve finished my tea I then keep working on my to-do-list. If I don’t allow myself time to sit down as soon as Mila is asleep then I end up getting distracted by other things and then she has woken up again before I have that time to myself.
What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself?
It took me far too long to discover this, but it is so important to learn to say “yes” when people offer you help. I have learned to say a great big “YES” to the mum who has offered to drop a coffee over to my house because I’m sleep deprived, “Yes” to the friend who has offered to look after Bowie whilst I go to a doctors appointment and “Yes” to the lady at the supermarket who can see that I’ve got my hands full and offers me a place in front of her in the queue.
My default mode is to always say “Thanks but I’ll be fine”, because I always assumed that people were asking just to be polite, and that I should respond with politeness by refusing the help, but then one day (thank goodness) it dawned on me that when people offer to help, they are doing it because they really genuinely want to help. So, I practiced saying “Yes” every time I was offered help and I was quick to see how much more time I ended up with for my self.
When my amazing mum offers to make us dinner and leave it on our stove top (a regular occurrence), I say “Yes” because it means I have an extra hour in my night to take a bath and process my day. When the next door neighbour offers to collect my package from the post office I say “Yes” because it means I save half an hour standing in the queue with both kids in the double pram, and when my friend offers me her appointment time at the hairdressers I say “Yes” because goodness knows when I will get a spare moment to arrange that for myself.
by Prue Henschke | Aug 23, 2018 | Two minutes with interview series
When was the last time you had “me-time” and how did you spend that time?
I took myself off for an hour massage after dropping the kids off at their only day of childcare.. Normally I would feel guilty for using this time for me instead of working but I really needed to fill my cup up and it was a beautiful start to my day! I am going to aim to make this a weekly thing for myself X
What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care?
Walking… it sounds boring and over rated but it is AMAZING!! Fresh air, time to clear your mind & releasing endorphins is the best way to regroup, increase your energy levels all the while achieving some easy fitness for the mind, body and soul
What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself?
Ahhhhh I fell in to this trap for a good 3 years.. then the anxiety hit as a result and it forced me to put myself first. The truth is, you can’t be a good parent unless you look after yourself first & I live by this and you should too!
I promise myself that I need a good few hours a week to myself … this is generally before the kids wake up or once they go down. Ambrose & I both own our own businesses so it is important we meet in the middle. He ensures he is home early twice a week to allow me to have ‘me time’ and vice versa.. it is so essential to feel human again!
by Prue Henschke | Aug 19, 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 also the first “me time” I’d had since Maxwell came along. A friend and I decided to treat ourselves to a day at the spa. The works! I felt guilty not being with the children, I felt guilty about the money but there was no denying I deserved it. The treatment was lovely and I felt completely relaxed! But as most of my followers will remember. I got really, really sick! My 3hrs of me time turned into a whole weekend of vomiting, and being completely useless. Apparently if you don’t get a massage very often it can release a lot of “toxins” from your body and cause you to get very sick.
One good thing that did come from this, was realising I needed to put myself first a little more.
What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care?
I think we need to realise that self care doesn’t have to be something big. For me I love a shower ALONE. Being able to wash and dry my hair and not rushing is pure bliss. The other thing I love to do especially if I’m feeling stressed out is to take my camera, go for a walk and just start taking photos. Doesn’t have to be of anything in particular but just the fresh air, the exercise and concentrating on my camera has me feeling recharged. It allows me to slow down and stop thinking so much.
What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself?
Find what it is that makes you slow down, or feel good. It could be going to the gym, doing something creative, catching up with a friend or even like me a shower alone! Schedule it in. Seek help from family or friends to help mind the kids. Some gyms even have childcare so find one that works for you. But also don’t put pressure on yourself to make it happen, you don’t want your “me time” to stress you out either. Do what works for you. But make sure you do take some time to yourself. Your family will reflect your mood. So the happier you are, the happier the family. It took me a while to realise this but I’m glad I did.
by Prue Henschke | Aug 18, 2018 | Me-time inspiration
Thai has become one of my favourite massage styles - for a few reasons. I like a firm massage which really works into the tension in my back, shoulders and neck - Thai massages always deliver. I sometimes like being able to book in at short notice or even walk in - many Thai massage businesses accommodate my last minute plans. I also find the standard of Thai massage is consistently high no matter where I go.
I’ve been on the look out for some local Thai massage options when I came across Luxsa Therapy - the new kid in town.
Run by Husband and wife team, Tim and Marisa, Luxsa Therapy is located in the shopping strip of bayside Parkdale.
The first thing that struck me about Luxsa is that it’s street presence and interior is noticeable fancier than many “no frills” Thai massage places I’ve visited. Marisa shared they have consciously chosen to position themselves as delivering a little more for customers - like the beautiful peppermint spritz at the end of the massage and a cute traditional Thai biscuit to accompany your tea after your session. I appreciated these little touches.
The massage itself was excellent. My therapist was friendly and professional. In fact all the staff were warm and welcoming.
Luxsa - a great addition to the Parkdale area.
Cost - $65.00 for one hour (introductory special)
