Everyone needs a little me time every once and a while. My favorite me time indulgences have usually included a nap or rage cleaning the baseboards and bathroom, but I promise I enjoy other things too.
As mothers, we have a tendency to forget about ourselves. More importantly, we forget that we deserve a break as well.
One of my biggest issues is not motherhood like martyrdom. Of course parenting consumes so much of my time, although parenting is a 24/7 job, I know that I don’t always balance it the correct way. Which ultimately leads to my being stressed out.
If you are looking for a way to manage life and parenting here are a few tips that can help you out.
Write it out: Plan like there is no tomorrow. I always have something going on; whether it’s work, a doctor’s appointment or a golf lesson. I always make a list of things that need to get accomplished daily. This way I keep track of my activities and I make sure that nothing gets forgotten. It’s not always easy, but I make it a point every week to sit down and plan my week on Sunday afternoons. That way I am not struggling day to day to remember what needs to be done.
Minimize. I am a big believer in the power of decluttering. I’m a work in progress but it’s crazy what a difference it makes! I have a terrible habit of throwing things into my purse and keeping it cluttered. Not only that, this bad habit caused me to go through a phase where I just cluttered everything, everywhere in my home. The only thing this did was add more stress to my life. No mom has time to burn. Especially not digging for keys while she’s trying to get the kids out the door to school or running late for a meeting. I have since opted to carry one bag and I have also downsized on a lot of unwanted accessories in my closet.
Don’t forget about you: Sneaking a little bit of alone time into your day is crucial. Stay at home moms often report significant depression and alienation, more than their working mother counterparts.
Having been a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom for eight years, I can definitely attest to this fact. Burnout affects everyone, but when mom is burned out everyone has a tendency to suffer.
One of my favorite ways to have “me time” is to curl up with a good book and enjoy a hot cup of tea. The best part about tea, is that there are so many flavors you are sure to find one that you will love.
One of my personal favorites is the Twinings of London Berry Fusion. With ingredients selected from Europe, South America, Egypt, and Asia, it’s blended together with rosehips, hibiscus, orange and blackberry leaves, apple pieces, and licorice roots. Plus, it’s topped off with natural berry fruit flavors.
Sounds absolutely delicious, right? It is!
Twinings of London has been providing quality tea for more than 300 years. With the finest ingredients sourced from all over the world, each unique blend expertly crafted by a team of master blenders to provide the perfect balance of taste, flavor, and aroma.
Twinings herbal teas offer a range of 17 blends for you to explore and enhance your relaxing moments, recharging me-time and enriching pursuits. This means that you will be sure to find the perfect tea for every mood!
Whether you decide to put the kids to bed early and enjoy a bubble bath and relaxing music or stay up and enjoy a quiet game of candy crush, taking time out for yourself helps release any stress you may be feeling and will allow you to reset for the next day.
If needed, don’t be afraid to give your kids an earlier bedtime so that you can unwind. I started putting them to bed a little earlier some nights or waking up an hour to two hours earlier in the morning so that I could read and enjoy a cup of hot tea in peace.
When you do get a chance to sneak out of the house, please do! It’s always a great idea to get out of the house every now and then and just be alone. I often found myself driving around the block or sitting alone enjoying a chicken sandwich at Chick-Fil-A. It was a cheap activity that I could do when I really wanted no other interaction.
Remember as a parent that your happiness matters as well. As a mother, we tend to lose ourselves in our children and our marriage and this doesn’t have to be the case! You should never feel guilty for needing time to recharge your batteries. Stay at home mom, working mom, single mom—we all deserve a break (dads too).
What are some of your favorite me time indulgences? How do you ensure you are at your best every day as a mother? If you aren’t taking time for self-care, why not? Sound off in the comments below!!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Mom it Forward Influencer Network and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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Love of impromptu dance parties, 80’s cartoons, and horizontal life pauses (aka naps); Natasha Brown is a stay at home mom of 4 kids, and wife to one lucky guy! In her spare time, she is co-editor of Grits & Grace, as well as editor for The Mother Hustler Blog and Creative Director for the Mother Hustler podcast.
