Time for Me!
It’s easy in this world we live in to believe giving of yourself is the most important while forgetting you too have limits. When I was younger taking time away from my family left me feeling so guilty. Even though I knew 100% that my soul needed some time away I would still worry about the “consequences”. In truth it is still my nature to complete everyone’s laundry before I head out for a weekend away and or leaving a homemade dinner on the stove for my man if I’m headed for a girls night out. I’d like to believe it’s out of love but I’m almost positive it’s the guilt that leads me to do it.
The difference today is I know how far having some me time goes to refuel my heart and it makes me a better wife and mom. While I’m always so exited to see my family when I return home, I make sure to leave my wife and mom role at the door when I leave and work on remembering who I really am because, darn it, that still matters so much to my well being as well as theirs.
Now, taking time for yourself doesn’t necessarily just mean being by yourself. There are many hours I may be alone but I have not taken care to be sure it is truly “me time”. It’s easy to get caught up doing laundry or picking up the house during instead of refueling. To really fill myself up it’s necessary to remove the distractions Here are some of my favorite ways to have “me time”.
- Find a special spot to enjoy your quiet time. I love sitting in my big chair in the quiet hours of morning reading. Typically I reserve this reading for something inspirational. Right now this is reserved for the early hours of morning snuggled in bed but when the weather is nice I love to be outside.
- Exercise is like a drug for me. Taking the time to hit the gym or go for a long walk gives me time to clear my head.
- Take a few days off. Being a mom is hard work and sometimes you deserve a few days off! Maybe you head out of town for a weekend of relaxation and girl talk with some friends or maybe you ship off the kids to grandmas when your husband is off hunting. Regardless the purpose is to set aside those daily task that can weigh you down and focus on remembering the things you love and cherish.
- Book a massage or a facial and soak it up.
- Attend a women’s retreat and be inspired by the stories others have to share. I spent the past weekend at the Thrive Creative Conference and was exhausted by the end of the day with a head full of inspiration. So many women with incredible stories! Let their stories influence you and inspire you to be more and dream more in your every day life.
- Make a date with yourself! In 2016 I started the year scheduling a date night with myself. One day a week for two hours I left my house and did whatever I wanted to do. Sometimes it meant browsing the aisles at Target and other times I just sat at Starbucks and enjoyed a coffee while dumping all my thoughts into a notebook. Knowing I had that “me time” scheduled was something to look forward to each week.
- Have a girls night out with your besties when you can truly feel free to “dump” the mess and be yourself.
We all have those different stages in life when this is harder! Sometimes you may have to walk away with laundry overflowing and dishes piled in the sink. Some nights you have to stay up after every one else is in bed and watch This is Us and cry your eyes out because darn it you will be filled back up!! (Seriously though with this show!!)
When I was a young wife and mom I did not take time for myself and in all honesty I think I forgot who I really was. Don’t let that happen! You want to know who you really are; what you love and long for and the dreams you still have. Knowing who you are makes you more capable of showing love to others and being able to be fully present when you are with others.
So what are your favorite ways to have me time?!
Thanks to The Blended Blog for hosting these little Nuggets for the New Year!
I think it's so important that we take time for ourselves so we can serve our families better! Having our own hobbies helps, too. I have a book club that meets once monthly and I always look forward to that night because it's supper with the girls, and my husband respects that loves that I go. Can't wait to hear about your weekend–I loved your IG pictures!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Amen, sista! I have made a point to have at least an hour and a half every Wednesday with a girlfriend. Of course since we decided to start doing this things have came up but I still am persevering that it will fall into place once Ash Wednesday is over! My running days came to a haulting end last week with an injury but I can still get my 45 minutes of peace by sneaking off for a good brisk walk/jog each afternoon that I'm not playing taxi. Your post is fabulous darling! Just like you. I cannot wait to hear about your experience at the workshop! xo
Yes, Yes, and Yes! It is SO important to have "me" time! But as mommas its so hard!!! The guilt is real! But I have quickly learned that it makes me a better "me" if I have just a little bit of time to myself!!
Can't wait to hear about your conference!
Currently exercise is my me time but I am LOVING your date idea. Maybe if I could even start with once or twice a month. I really need to get out and about (alone) a little more often than I do.
I was just saying how much I needed a girls night! They are often the best kinds of nights! You're totally right we all need to learn how to take more time for ourselves. I need to do it more often and I'm single with no kids! haha
Happy Monday!
http://brittscozycorner.blogspot.ca/
I loved reading this post. I shook my head in agreement about when you had younger kids and felt like you lost yourself. I am just coming out the stage of having super young kids and mine are so much more independent than even a year ago. I really feel like I can have some "me time" again without having too much guilt. I also always try to have a meal ready for my family before a girls night or make sure that they have their plans all ready to go. Currently, exercise has been my "me time" but I love the idea of giving yourself 2 hours of scheduled time. Have a great Monday!
Oooooo- a women's retreat- that's a good one! Thanks for linking up with us!
I would like to take you up on this and schedule a girls night – stat!!!!! 🙂
For real…I think we need to start up the whole scheduled date night again. Maybe I'll make that one of my realistic, measurable and attainable goals for the rest of the year! 🙂
Totally refilled Deena!
Haha, Brittany you totally need to make sure to take some me time! I think my oldest daughter is guilty of overbooking her social calendar for sure and sometimes that time alone can be so good for the soul.
Amanda it was so inspiring! I can't wait to share.
Definitely think having some hobbies is huge! I really had zero hobbies when I was married the first time…my hobby was taking care of my kids. So many things I love to do now. The weekend….it was so inspiring Sarah!
Heather even after being a mom for 26 years I still have mom guilt. The difference now is I definitely don't let the family in on it! I do my best to take care of them and make them feel special every day and I deserve the same for myself.
I really need to get back to that Jenna. I love having that "night off" on the schedule. Lately it hasn't worked out quite so well with kids activities.
yes, please do! you know how I love to check off little boxes – or help you to! 😉
It's gotten much easier with older kids to sneak away for me time for sure. I loved having my set date but this year with activities it hasn't been nearly as easy to fit in.
I totally agree about exercise! I wouldn't function if I didn't get my exercise time in. It is so important and it makes me feel SO much better… I have tons more energy!
Me time is so so important. Wish I realized years ago how important it was
Hands down it is my daily workout. Of course I go so early so it doesn't inconvenience anyone else but it works!
I have always cultivated girlfriend time. Even when my babies were babies. Its so important! i also love to curl up in my front den, and watch all my guilty pleasure shows! (any real housewife show!)
I love that you actually schedule 2 hours each week for just you. I love that. I need to do that too when the kids stop napping, tell me they never stop right?!
Such a good list of suggestions for me time. I admit I've never been very good at this, and I don't know why. Going to try some of these asap!
It's hard when the kidos are little and I'm sure you had your hands full friend! But make up for it now.
Haha…right? Mine doesn't interfere most of the time either but it sure does make me happy.
I am not going to lie…I honestly love when Keith takes the kids hunting or fishing for the day and I have the house to myself for a good veg session.
Sarah you will definitely want to do this someday. Keith was pretty skeptical at first…he would text me asking where I was and I was like…sitting at Starbucks a block from the house!! Geez
Oh Lana…you definitely need to get right on some me time girly!
Date night with yourself!? Genius!! And girl I hear you about the exercise being a drug. I'm a different person when I don't workout
OH the guilt of leaving these babies right now. Thank you for sharing this. Definitely hit home for me during this new phase of life.
love the idea of a standing date with yourself, soooo need to do that one!