The Best Me Time for Moms
Being a mom means you are in charge of everything. Yes? You landed here so I presume you are a mom and so you do agree with me. (Wink!)
The idea of motherhood can be overwhelming. You as a mom should take care of everyone in the family – your husband, your firstborn, second, and third, or just imagine those who have more, you absolutely rock being a mom!
As a first-time mom, you have been brought to this new environment where you have a pretty little darling who always cling on you 24 hours a day while you have loads of other house chores to do plus a husband who needs to eat before he goes to work and his clothes and shoes that needs some ironing and cleaning.
Not everyone can afford a house helper these days.
Who else would do those if not you?
Okay, I might be speaking for myself but it’s really tiring being a mom.
What? It’s okay to admit it! It’s not like you’re cursing yourself why you have to enter this phase of your life! You are just accepting it to yourself that what you do everyday is not easy.
It is okay to feel tired.
And you know what?
It’s even better to know that you can take a rest even for a short while.
Let me ask you.
For those times that you actually become tired of all the chaos in the house and your child just doesn’t stop crying, and you have to change his diaper but realized they were all in the laundry basket, what comes first to your mind?
You blame yourself for not doing the laundry.
Then you blame yourself for being forgetful.
And then you blame yourself for not being a responsible mom.
And the story goes how bad you are all because you forgot to do the laundry. Sounds familiar?
It can drive you mad.
And it’s not healthy blaming yourself for all the times that you find yourself short of all your responsibilities as a mother.
It is why ‘me time’ for moms are essential.
‘Me Time’ is the time spent for yourself, either to rest or to make creative moments with peace and tranquility. It may be a short or long period of time depending on what suits your lifestyle, and yes, your family needs.
Since you are a mom, a lot of people depend on you so you know you can’t spend a full week away if you have a little child waiting for you, especially if you are a breastfeeding mom.
So you ask, how could I get that ‘me time’ then?
What if I tell you that you can actually spend at least 10 to 120 minutes to have your ‘me time?’
Sounds interesting? So follow along and it’s the perfect time to ask your husband to spend some quality time with your baby while you are pampering yourself in a short while.
You might be asking, ‘What can I do for that short moment to give myself what you call ‘me time?’ Oh I, tell you, there’s plenty!
And here are ten things you could enjoy for 10 to 120 minutes “me time.”
10 Easy Ways to Spend Me Time Alone as a Mom
1. Take a bath.
Yes! It’s number 1 because admit it or not, you often skip bath because your baby just won’t let you get out of his sight. And when he’s asleep at night, you’re just too tired to stand in the shower that you just wanted to sleep it away. Don’t worry, I definitely feel you! And there’s nothing wrong skipping a bath a day or two! (or three)
If you don’t feel it, just don’t do it! But when you do, make sure to give yourself a relaxing one. I recommend diffusing your favorite essential oils which you can check in this post to give you that most relaxing aroma you need.
Use warm water once a week, don’t overdo it as it makes your skin dry. Shampoo and condition your hair and make sure to use tap water to avoid drying your hair too. It’s also best to use body scrub once in a while. The aroma of the scrub is completely invigorating and just makes you feel renewed again. It may also be the right time to shave those unwanted hair. Pat dry your skin with towel and moisturize using lotion or body oil.
However you want to do it, a good bath sometimes change our mood 360 degrees.
2. Read your favorite book.
Has reading been your hobby when you were single? You actually do it everyday when you turn to your social media account and see a lot of news and quotes and chat boxes filling in.
But reading an actual book is way better than reading online. Oh, I always love the scent of a fresh new book. Not that I always finish them but I love collecting books that usually teach about business ideas, money matters, family issues, and of course, romance. I remember I used to exchange pocket books with my sister-in-law and finish them all within the day. I just love imagining things while reading, as if I was the one being on that situation going somewhere described in the stories.
If you’re not a fan of reading books, you might start getting one today and see if something will spark from within. There really are other people who started to love reading when they shifted from being single to being a mother.
3. Drink you favorite hot chocolate drink.
Mocha drink at home
Chocolate is good for your heart. It can improve blood flow and reduce cholesterol. I rarely see people who don’t like the smell and taste of hot chocolate drink. (Hang on, I’ll just make one for myself now, be right back!)
Moms usually have their time to make their own hot coffee or hot chocolate drink but more often than not, they tend to forget it until it’s freaking cold. I bet you’d be laughing by now because you’re definitely one of those! It’s too hot from the time you made it so being a mom, you did what you know is best to do, and that is to check other mom-ly things to take care of and voila! Cold chocolate drink just for you, mom. Gulp!
Now, you have 10 to 120 minutes of your time, while husband is taking care and lovingly spending his time with your baby, and while you, getting that cup of hot chocolate drink, going to your favorite spot of the house, not cleaning! Just sitting down quietly while reading your favorite book. Or maybe you’re doing this after your most awaited bath of the week.
However you want to do it, just make yourself comfortable.
4. Get your nails done.
When was the last time you had a manicure? Mine was like a month ago and I definitely need one right now. If you’re someone who’s perfectly fine with cutting your nails yourself, it’s the best time to do it. You can do this while having your hot chocolate drink. Or if you know someone who does home service, call her beforehand and make sure she can finish before husband and child becomes bored with each other.
5. Go for a run.
Running or jogging is the best way to spend your ‘me time.’ You get to see different places, different faces from your neighborhood, say a little hi to that friendly fella. The best part for me is seeing the nature. And while jogging, you can actually see that spot where you’d want to stop by and watch the beautiful sceneries that God has created.
6. Drive.
Sunset in Batulao, Batangas
This is my favorite! Whether it’s a run for an errand, I still enjoy driving alone ‘cause I can talk to myself without people hearing me. Yes, I do that and I’m not crazy! There’s even a good joke about it that goes, “I’m a freelancer, and if you see me talking to myself, I’m not going crazy. I’m just having a staff meeting.” You can also try it sometimes just make sure you don’t do it aloud in public. When driving, it is also a good time to diffuse essential oils to set your mood and keep you alert all the time. Check how you can enroll to Young Living’s website and enjoy unlimited discounts through my link.
Orb diffuser and Lemon Essential Oil of Young Living
Driving, just like running, makes you see different places that you can also stop at a breathtaking view you may find. It’s just less tiring, and you can have your privacy unlike when running that other people see you. I mean, there are times when we want to just be quiet with ourselves and driving alone can give you that.
7. Go shopping.
It can be online or at the mall. Every once in a while, it’s rewarding to buy yourself something for your new facial regimen, or a new scent of perfume, or a nice floral dress, or a cute pair of shoes, or maybe all of them? But I bet, when you’re going out to the mall, the first thing you’ll buy is for your children and for your husband. I know! But it’s really important that you sometimes indulge yourself to the things that you previously enjoy when you weren’t a mom yet.
8. Watch a movie.
Have you ever watched a movie in the movie house alone? Oh I wouldn’t go that far haha! I’m okay watching Netflix at home. There’s a lot of Korean series going actually and you’ll have to schedule them at least one hour a day to enjoy the story. Also some recent movies have been uploaded so far so you’ll never really get behind the blockbuster ones.
9. Call or meet a friend.
There is always that someone who you wanted to talk with other than your husband. And she may even be like you, a mom needing someone to talk to aside from house chores and parenting. But when you two talk, even for just that short moment, you probably have talked about your whole mommy life. And yes, including the house chores and parenting styles. And it’s okay as you both are helping each other build up the self-confidence and self-love.
10. Meditate.
This by far is the most important of all. Find a quiet spot in your house. Sit down comfortably. Shut all your ears and focus to your inner self. Breathe, as if you haven’t breathed all your life. Let go of all your worries. Breathe in positivity. Imagine that light traveling your every part of the body, giving you relaxation and power. Say things that you want to achieve – like calmness, peace, love, passion, patience. You can also start imagining yourself on a vacation you have always wanted. Feel as if you are in the actual situation where you enjoy the beach with your family.
Meditation is so powerful that it attracts you to whatever you think about. This is something you should be doing every day, upon waking up, when everyone’s still asleep and while you’re thanking the Universe how wonderful life is that you are breathing next to your family. There is nothing that can ever replace that feeling.
These are just some of the things you can do for at least 10 to 120 minutes of your ‘me-time.’ It doesn’t matter how long or short you think it is just as you know you have spent a quality time with yourself. Know, too, that when you do this, you are not abandoning your responsibilities as a mother. You are only trying to rest for even a short time to give yourself something that no one can ever give you but yourself.
Time.
Because when you do, it means you appreciate yourself, that you are doing a great job as a mother and wife, and that you deserve all the time you could spare to pamper, to rest, to breathe.
Self-care is self-love.
Remember that you are an amazing, wonderful person, and you are allowed to feel tired. But you are encouraged to pause then keep going again.
Keep going, Mom! You rock!
If you have other ideas how to spend me-time for moms, I encourage you to share in the comment section below for us to consider too when we have done all of these things above. I know there are plenty of things out there waiting to be heard and I’d love to hear from you too! It’s one way to spend that rest hours, huh?
Love and Light