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

Wow, it’s such an important question, because as a mama you’re hardly thinking about yourself. I guess it would have to be when I was back in Australia, my mum had Iyla and I took a 2 hour drive South to my good friend’s house and stayed the night to have a girls dinner! That 2 hour drive was so nice - playing the music I liked and taking all the Australian bush in!! My family were such a great help when I was back home and had lots of me-time!

When Iyla is at Kita (daycare) I’m working, answering emails, meeting clients and then getting the apartment sorted and whatever else Iyla may need! I like to have lunch with friends or take a walk with them. If I don’t have that time for a few days I feel down. I need that time, it’s very important for me.

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

I think taking the time to breathe and have a moment to think about what it is you really need! If you’re constantly on the go and putting your baby first, you can get caught up and loose yourself. And then it’s too late, in a way, to get the balance back you had before. You come first and if you’re happy, baby is happy! If you’re not happy you can bring that negative energy on to your child and they feel it!

I love baths, going to the gym (when I have the energy) and trips in nature. I’m a birth doula so I’m constantly learning self care and to look after myself first, but it’s so hard!!!

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

Well, I think most of the time the problem is that mamas don’t have any help! It really take a village to raise a child and if you live far away or have no family in town then it gets difficult! It’s important to work with your baby daddy and create time for yourself! But also voicing your needs to your partner - they are not mind readers, so don’t expect them to know what you want! Communicate with them and sort something out! I have lived away from my family since Iyla was born. I definitely didn’t take me-time until I stopped breastfeeding and until she was more independent. I had, and still have, great friends who are willing to help and a few baby sitters on the go!

Hiring a close friend or a baby sitter even for 2 hours 2 times a week would help a lot! Or plan if your partner works on the weekdays, to go to a gym class or get your nails done over the weekend! Don’t feel bad, you need to do these things to feel human again! And it will give the dads that confidence needed. Both of my close friends partners work, so in the morning they feed their babies (both breastfed) and they go to the gym for a hour or 2 in the morning. You can make it work, you just have to want to! And yes lack of sleep might stop you, but me-time is a great way to create more energy and clear your mind.