What Do You Do Just For Yourself?
In light of Tuesday’s post, I’ve been thinking: part of being a good mom to my kids means that I try to take a few minutes each day to just…be alone. Not working (when I’m also alone, but working, so that doesn’t count). Not straightening up. Not attending to the dog, (though I do love walking him). Just something for me. And I realize this sounds like a luxury – and that not all parents can do this – but I bet that you could find time where you don’t think you have it, maybe it’s once a day, maybe it’s once a week: five minutes to enjoy a few good pages of a novel, fifteen minutes to take a walk with your favorite music. It means, yes, that you have to ask for help, but I find that after I’ve taken this time to myself, I’m always the better for it.
I’ve had chronic back pain/problems for a decade, for as long as I can remember. It’s almost always stress and alignment related, so there aren’t a ton of quick fixes. This year, I’ve resolved to eliminate the pain for good, so my downtime, my ME time is yoga. Now don’t go rolling your eyes! I’m not all the woo-woo, new agey, “let’s go on a cleanse” type. And I’m not suggesting that my downtime should be your downtime. But what I’ve found is that by scheduling this time into my day, my body is slowly but surely feeling a lot better. And thus, so is my mind. Which makes me a better mom.
So my question to you, or my challenge to you, today is: what are you doing for yourself? If it’s nothing, name something that maybe you can incorporate into your day, a goal you’ll aim for: a long shower, ten minutes every night to zone out to a gossip mag. Nothing is too small. Just something that makes you feel good and helps you unwind. So what is it?
Categories: Balance, Health, Must Read, Parenting | Tags:
6 Comments
by Krystyn
On February 2, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Hey Allison…for years I’ve wanted to try/incorporate yoga into my routine…finally THIS year I have done that and like you, it is some much needed ME time. I’m really enjoying it. It’s not as often as I’d like, but I’ll take what I can get.
by Allison Winn Scotch
On February 2, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Krystyn – me too. I had sort of half-heartedly been doing it at home to DVDs/Exercise TV, but I took the bull by the horns and just joined somewhere. I can already tell that my back is going to be the better for it. And surprisingly (bc I often don’t buy into this stuff), my mind will be too. Good luck with your routine!
by Heather Morgan Shott
On February 2, 2012 at 4:20 pm
My me time is yoga, too, Allison!
by Rochelle
On February 6, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Allison,
I can’t begin to tell you how much I LOVE this post. It speaks, no screams to me. I created my business based on the philosophy ~Because Moms Deserve Pampering Too~. We, so often, put everyone’s needs before our own and it is time we put ourselves on the To-Do List. I designed Pampered Mommas to do just that. We offer In-Home pampering services (pre/post natal massage, facials, mani/pedis) as well as helping Mom prepare for the arrival of the baby. We have to take some time to just be “me”. Time to relax and rejuvenate, sometimes that means just going for a quick walk ALONE. Or riding in the car ALONE, but we have to take some “me’ time, in the end we are better mothers. I created Pampered Mommas in an effort to help moms realize that and be ok with doing something for themselves from time to time.
Thank you for this post, I am sure most moms can relate.
by mdpatsprincess
On February 6, 2012 at 7:18 pm
shopping lol..and $4 hot cocoas from starbucks!
by Erin McQueen
On February 6, 2012 at 7:23 pm
A few years ago I joined Passion Parties! I love it still to this day but it stopped being for me and is now back to making money for my family! So last year when I started may leave I joined twitter and started blogging. This year I started a writing course! All for me! Of course my family is what I write about but I’m doing it for me! I try and do it daily but it’s ok if I don’t! And the best part is I don’t know where it’s going and it’s fun! I also want to try and get a pedicure more then once a year and I’m also working out two to four times a week! Yeah me time!