Listen, it’s easier said than done. I’m well aware of that, but as mama’s, you’ve got to make time for yourself every now and then.
I’m not saying we need to have an all-out luxury spa vacation (although that sounds pretty incredible, too). I’m just saying that we need to streamline the mundane and make some time to sit back and smell the roses, or whatever you’re into.
Change Up Your Sleep Routine
Ok…hear me loud and clear on this one: DO NOT NEGLECT SLEEP! Sleep is absolutely vital to our wellbeing, so don’t skimp on it! We can, however, change up the times we go to bed and wake up to accommodate some me time. Changing up your sleep routine is a great way to make time for yourself.
I used to stay up later at night, which would cause me to sleep until my daughter would wake up in the morning. Recently, I’ve made a shift in my sleep routine. I don’t sacrifice the hours of sleep that I get, but I go to bed a little earlier and wake up an hour earlier than my daughter does. This gives me 1 full hour of me-time before she wakes up in the morning. And, it is incredible!
Simplify Meal Time
We can waste so much time planning, prepping, and cooking our meals. And let’s face it, some days it’s just not worth it. Hell, some days, my toddler would rather have beef jerky and a granola bar for dinner anyway (silent screams in my head…ugh).
Mama, I’m letting you off the hook here. It’s OK to make dinner as simple as possible! Try one of those fancy meal kit delivery services. Dust off that crock pot – the crockpot is a lifesaver in our house! By simplifying mealtime, you can find a few minutes here and there to make time for yourself.
Schedule a Playdate for Yourself
If you’ve read my post about Mom friends, you know how I feel about these ladies in my life. Mom friends are seriously the best friends. While playdates with the kiddos are fun for them, try to schedule your own playdate. Have a night out with your other mom friends. Let the dads handle the kids or get a sitter! Do whatever you need to do to refuel your soul!!
Drop Off Early/Pick Up Late
If your children go to daycare, don’t be afraid to take them a little early or pick them up a little later than usual. I’m not saying to do this every single day, but 10 minutes once a week isn’t going to hurt them. I promise. Use that extra time to make time for yourself.
Use those few minutes for a little meditation. Seriously, just sit in your car and BREATHE! It really does help! You can even listen to an audiobook or crank up the jams. Just take a few minutes to focus on yourself. You can even do this in a target parking lot. I promise…no one is going to judge!
Hire or Ask for Help
It really does take a village to raise children, and as moms, we HAVE to get better about asking for help!!! This job is impossible to do by ourselves. And, if you have the means, hire someone. I’m especially talking about housekeeping. Let’s be honest…cleaning is the worst! Having a clean house is great, but it’s even better when you don’t have to do it yourself!
I know it’s not easy, but you have to make time for yourself. I’m guilty of not doing it enough, just like everyone else. We have to work at it. And I’m sure with practice, we will get better! This isn’t exactly self-care, but it’s crucial to our overall wellbeing.
