With the new year comes resolutions and a time for fresh starts. Do you feel this way about ringing in each new year? It wasn't until I was in mid twenties that I started to take resolutions seriously and looking for the new year for a new start. I found myself wanting to make a positive in my life, either it being a healthy change or a personal growth change that would ultimately change the direction my life was heading in. But, when I received a cancer diagnosis in Dec. 2008, I found myself for a short time not thinking about a future, like many cancer patients and survivors do. Instead, I found myself planning short-time and living in the moment. It wasn't until I was told I was in remission, five years later, that I began to dream about the future and want to make changes for the better.
And, with the welcoming of my two girls in 2010 and 2011, I learned the importance and need for "me time." I have found that for the past two years, my resolutions have been to try to make "me time" at least once a day, even if it means getting up early in the AM before the girls get up, or late at night after they go to bed. This "me time" is what I and most moms need to recharge their batteries and have a fresh start to each day. If we don't take this much needed "me time" -- even if it is only 10-15 minutes, we find ourselves burning out faster and having a short temper.
While I try hard to make "me time," I have found that when I review this resolution that I continually work on, at the end of each month, I find that I have only taken a handful of "me time" breaks each week. So, for 2015, I want to make this the year that I put myself first, not to be selfish to my family, but to make me a better mom and wife, and not find myself stressing or burning out too quickly.
When you think of "me time" what comes to mind? Pampering or a day at a spa? While most moms don't have the time for a spa day, or the money due to a one-parent income, you have to get creative in the ways you approach your "me time." Here are some enjoyable ways I have spent "me time", and that I have found to help relax, refresh and recharge my batteries ---
- Get up early and have a hot cup of coffee and breakfast in quiet. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day and helps get you going, even on the slowest of days.
- Pour a glass of wine and put your feet up on the couch, as you flip through a magazine, or catch up on a favorite TV show. This is what I find helps clear my head and gets me to relax at the end of a crazy day with the girls.
- Let your spouse take the kids out for breakfast or to the park for a couple of hours on the weekend, so that you can sleep in. I used to be a late riser, before I had kids. And, I find that when I get spoiled and can sleep an extra hour on the weekend, that I wake up in a better mood, and excited to spend time with the family.
- Funny as it sounds, but, lock the door and make sure the kids stay out of the bathroom when you go. I found that potty time became a group gathering once I had children. I couldn't go into the bathroom without a friend tagging along. But, I have since made a point to lock the door, or tell my husband when he is home to keep the girls out of the bathroom, so that I have a few "alone" moments.
- My favorite "me time" activity is being able to take a long, hot shower. By getting up before the girls in the AM, I can take a 10-15 minute shower - instead of rushing into a warm/cold shower when everyone else is done showering in the AM, to go go go.
Many moms I have talked to also find that being able to take a long, hot shower, either at the start of the day or even at the end of a long day really helps them unwind. And, while we don't have the luxury to visit a spa or be pampered, we can get a similar effect by the type of shower head we use during our precious "me time" shower. Now, my husband is not a handy man, but he can follow instructions and change out our shower heads. And, we do this from time to time, to change up our showering experience. Most recently, I ended up picking up a shower head that made you feel like you were standing in a rain shower. Boy, is this so relaxing! And, with a few different massage settings, it helps to ease back and all over body pain, from lugging the girls around.
When the holidays roll around and my husband asks me what I want, I find myself asking for either new shower heads or bathroom faucets. Yes, you read that right! Come on, don't lie or think I am goofy. I know most of you have found that as you got older when it comes to asking for gifts or buying a treat for yourself, you find yourself looking for household items, or paying a visit to your local hardware store to see the latest and greatest in bathroom faucets, appliances, kitchen gadgets and more.
This Valentine's Day will be no different, as I plan to ask my husband for the following bathroom faucet from danze.com.
Not only will I get to enjoy my new Cape Ann Two Handle Lavoratory faucet, but it will add value to the home, as we continue to upgrade fixtures and appliances throughout the house, as the years go by.
And, when it comes to upgrading to another shower head, I already have this one on my wish list...
Maybe I will get lucky and win the lottery one year, and be able to redo my bathroom so it looks something like this....
Doesn't this look like a place you would to retreat and relax in? :-)
So, see, you can make "me time" even though it seems hard to. If you are still looking for resolutions to make and keep this year, why not consider joining me and other busy moms out there is making a point to slow down and take a few extra minutes (at least) for "me time," either to have a hot cup of coffee or tea, or enjoy a hot, relaxing shower or even bath. Your kids and spouse will thank you for it, and you will love how you feel, after finding time to relax and regroup.
Disclosure: In exchange for sharing about www.Danze.com, I will be provided with a complimentary product for my time. However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.
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