When was the last time you had “me-time” and how did you spend that time?
With our precious little daughter arriving only 4 weeks ago I haven’t had much “me time”. So it was probably when I was pregnant waiting impatiently for her arrival. The boys were at daycare, I ignored the messy house, my to dos and laundry and I sat on the lounge and enjoyed a girly movie. I couldn’t remember the last time I had done something like that… and it felt indulgent but so good!
What are some of your favourite ways to practice self care?
Self care is so crucial for mums and yet it’s usually the last thing on our list. Like every other mum I’ve learnt the hard way when forgetting to take care of me. So now self care for me is about treating myself with kindness. Being accepting of those days when things are hard and I buy in to the ‘mum guilt’ or judgement. The best way to take care of me is to acknowledge this is a tough job and at the end of each day I know I have done the best I can that day. And if I can squeeze in 20 minutes with my book that’s a bonus!!
What advice would you give to mamas struggling to create “me-time”? How do you make time in your schedule for yourself?
Don’t make excuses. That’s hard to hear I know, but at times we can be our own worst enemy because we always put everyone before ourselves. It’s such an admirable quality but it doesn’t serve us or our loved ones. So be okay with making YOU number one sometimes, when you stop feeling guilty that’s half the battle won. I have three goals: 10 minutes each day, 1 solid hour a week and 1 full day a month. It may be 10 minutes of stretching or a massage/walk or a date day with hubby. And I remind myself when it seems all too hard that there are 96 ten minute slots in my waking day… when I frame it that way I feel like my perception of my time constrained day isn’t daunting at all. I’m more likely to make my 10 minutes work if I’m not stressed about finding that time.