When was the last time you had “me-time” and how did you spend that time?

Yesterday morning actually - I went to a yoga class. I’ve found a new studio close to home so it’s very easy to get up there for classes and all my fellow yogis are just absolutely gorgeous, so it feels like just stepping into another ‘home’.

What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care? 

Exercise is my most favourite - running and yoga. We have some gorgeous trails along the river where I live that is just so grounding to run through. 

Every few months I treat myself to a massage. Every couple of months I get my hair done and on a weekly basis I make time aside from the family where I can be still to read. 

On a daily basis I make sure that I really care for my skin with dry brushing before a shower and always applying really delicious creams to my body and face that are all natural. This daily practice is so simple but really fills me up spiritually - I change my natural fragrances depending on the seasons too.

What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself? 

Just start small, but start somewhere - anywhere, even if it’s just to enjoy a hot cup of tea from start to finish. When we had our first newborn my only goal was to make sure I had a lovely long shower everyday and took a walk outside. Over time and as the family grew older I have been able to increase the time “away” without feeling guilty or the children having separation anxiety. I also love the fact that the children see that mummy going out to exercise daily is a positive thing - they both love to stretch along with me now when I return from a run which is very cute. 

Just last month I actually went away by myself for 12 days to NYC to promote my recently self-published cookbook - and although I found it hard being away, the time away to just be “me” and have the mental space to just think freely really opened up all of my natural creative thought processes, so I came back with a new vigorous outlook towards my business and daily life.  This made me realise even more the important need to make more “timeout” so I have started to schedule another couple of fun events into my me-time ritual - one of them now is going to a movie once a fortnight (regardless of what is playing).