"Me Time" for the Healthy Mama

Hello All!!!!

Yes, I haven’t been around lately. I’ve had a mean case of writer’s block, or maybe some lacking of inspiration during these times, or maybe I’m still trying to survive homeschooling and quarantine.

For the first couple months of quarantine, L was working from home, which was really nice. I got a lot and I mean A LOT of help from him with the kids, cleaning, and laundry. We all got into a really functional routine. However, now he has to go into work every other week. The new work schedule really shifted our routine and it has limited my “me time.”

Now, I don’t require much “me time,” as I am an extrovert and can ‘recharge’ my battery by interacting with others. Nevertheless, I do enjoy some time to myself for listening to a pod cast, putting on a fresh set of nails, or making up some recipes, etc.

Ok, why am I telling you all of this?

Because…between cleaning, cooking, taking care of a 1 year old (who now only has one nap a day), homeschooling my “way too smart” 5 year old, and exercising, I’ve had to get really creative on finding “me time”.

I have found out that it’s ok if I don’t get any “me time” for a few days, because even with my boys all around asking me questions and hanging on me; I make sure to find a way to burn a few hundred calories during a work out so that I feel some extra energy to take on the rest of the day (whether its a good day or not).

Before the world shut down, L was working everyday and Owen was going to school everyday, so I had a lot of alone time. Evan was taking 2 naps a day and when he was awake it was just him and me. I was able to fit in all my “me time” things during Evan’s naps, that included whatever type of exercise I was doing that day. (#PopsugarFitness on youtube is amazing, as well as Pamela Raif I linked her instagram but she is also on youtube.) We will talk more about exercise soon though.

Things are looking a lot different these days. Here are some tricks I do to get some “me time,” and yes I realize a lot of the things I consider “me time” might be a bit different than yours.

Here’s number one, I love when my nails are done, but as you know I’m cheap… haha. Plus the world is shut down, so for about 6 months I have fallen in love with at home glue-on nails. They last me almost 2 weeks and I’m paying way less than going to a nail salon and I don’t have to give up time with my kids or L during the evening or weekend to go do it. If it’s a nail day, I spend that day’s nap time doing that.

Number two includes chores getting done with the family together while fitting in some “alone” time for me. We all get ready and do some kind of cleaning. I really, really love taking advantage of that time to squeeze in listening to some of a podcast. No, I don’t make it through the whole podcast most days. Yes, I’m also only 3/4 listening to it as well. You know what though? It changes that menial task into some team building and respectful “me time.”Its easy to squeeze in by buying ear buds (mine are cheap off brand ones) and only wearing one bud at a time. Now, if you want a podcast suggestion you NEED to listen to American Scandal… (I’m sorry all that like… self improvement podcast stuff is Not my jam I love stories way too much. Also, maybe it’s just me but I don’t want my “me time” to be spent telling me what’s wrong with me and what I need to fix.)

Thirdly, READING…Oh how reading can take you away from the hum drum and worry. Again, I LOVE stories! I make sure to spend a couple hours a day reading. I usually read right before bed but whenever, it’s my way to wind down, shut my brain down and get rid of the day’s worries.

On a fourth note, the kitchen is also my happy place. I really, really love food. I love to cook it. I love to eat it. I love having L or the boys help me, and I love turning on some good singing and dancing music to groove to while I’m in there. Actually the kitchen is a bit weird for me, if I have helpers or I’m in there alone, it always counts as “me time” because of the way it makes me feel.

Oh YES…I can’t forget the fifth one…WRITING!! Now sometimes nap time doesn’t happen of course, and that’s ok. But usually, naps and/or quiet time goes just as planned and I get to do all these things during it. If I don’t, thats ok. You know why? Because I have already gotten in some “me time” with either cooking, listening to a bit of a pod cast, and sometimes… like now… it’s “me time” with Evan sitting on my lap as I type and Owen wanting to show me all his lego creations every 3 minutes. Writing is such a great escape. It doesn’t matter what kind you do. You can write in a journal, you can write short stories, you can even try to write a novel. I’ve done all these things. No matter where you are or what is going on around you, if you write it down it is alone time with you and your brain.

Please don’t think that everyday is amazing and perfect, because trust me that isn’t true. We all get frustrated, kids act out, kids don’t nap, we don’t get a few minutes of quiet. Trust me, I GET IT.

I’ve learned to step outside with a cup of tea and just be outside in the silence for a couple minutes, take a few deep breaths. Just a couple minutes away to make it all stop every once in a while is a must.

You don’t have to be selfish with your “me time” and ignore everyone in your family for hours or your house just to get a dose of “alone time.” You just need to find a way to fit “you” into the craziness of your world.

Well…..Now that I have rambled on and on about this I should probably put the baby down, clean up the 37 billion blocks off the floor and burn some calories so I can stay sane.

Until the next mess,

Dana