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Working moms are always busy, and busy moms are always short on time! There’s always something in the schedule we have to do, either at home or at work. We can hardly find a work-life balance, let alone squeezing in some ‘alone time’.
To be honest, it would be a task in itself.
Week after week we just postpone it and make excuses. But if in the past week or month you didn’t spend an hour by yourself doing something that made YOU feel good (not your kids or spouse) then your situation is critical.
Whether it is doing something relaxing or simply doing nothing, the right time to do it is NOW!
After all, a happy, relaxed mom means a happy household!
Be creative with your short breaks
Use short times-off for shorter activities
Whether you work full-time or have a flexible job, utilize the time you’re away from home because you know other work awaits you when you go.
Meet up with a friend whose lunch break syncs with yours and is near your workplace. Coffee with friends after work is relaxing, too.
Use when-kids-are-napping breaks
…or when they’re playing, whenever they do not need constant observing and care.
If you have a baby, the general rule would be to nap when they nap, but it’s up to you, really.
You can also read, write on your blog, or lose yourself in your favorite Pinterest boards.
Use driving-home-from-work time
Drives to and from work don’t have to be a mundane process you do twice a day, every day. You can have a relaxing time listening to a story instead. Audiobooks might just be the thing that you didn’t know you loved.
If you don’t like to commute, though, there’s always telecommuting which gives you the advantage to regulate your own schedule. This way you’re more flexible in setting your ‘me time’.
While having your morning coffee
If you have kids, chances are you are the first one of the family that gets up.
Start your day right with a nice cup of coffee (or tea), and enjoy those 10-15 minutes by yourself for refueling before the storm of the day comes.
Set it as a task to yourself
Yes, even put it on your schedule.
It will be the finished task that will motivate you to do the rest!
Ask your spouse to have the kids for a day
While they have their Daddy Saturdays, you spend your much-needed Alone Time Saturday once in a while. It’s not like you wouldn’t want to hang out with them, but sometimes one’s own company is more than enough.
Learn what works for you
It can be a hobby, such as photography, scrapbooking, crafting, gardening, or yoga. Even just taking a walk might work for you.
Take Yourself Out To Lunch
Once a while, indulge yourself in a meal alone at a nice restaurant or your favorite cafe. Anything involving food is a perfectly fine way to spend your alone time.
Have dates
Whether with your spouse, or friends, or siblings, spending quality time with loved ones is very important in times of stress at work. It reminds you of what really matters.
If you can convince a fellow mom to join the gym and go together, that’d be great because you’ll be more consistent in going regularly. You’d help each other out and have your ‘alone time' together.
Junk food & TV
After the kids go to bed or on the weekend, dedicate a couple hours to just lay down, grab a blanket, some ice cream and/or junk food and simply watch your favorite TV series or movies.
You can do it by yourself, or ask your beloved so you can snuggle together. You might fall asleep on the couch – but it’s okay – parents can have their lazy times too.
Don’t feel bad to say No
Learn to say ‘no’ to an extra assignment at work or extra any activities that eat away at your personal time. Sanity is more important than people-pleasing.
Taking a little time only for yourself during the week refreshes and re-energizes you. It enables you to think more clearly and make healthier decisions. As busy as you might be, always put your physical, mental, and emotional health first.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
I have been begging for some alone ME time lately. My husband recently went back to work and he’s rarely home with very busy hours leaving me watching the kids basically 24/7. I try and read some before bedtime, but by the end of the day I’m exhausted. Being 8 weeks pregnant isn’t helping with that, but I definitely crave some ME time.
Sounds like you have a lot on your plate sweetie! You NEED me time. Pregnancy is exhausting on its own let alone with everything else you have to deal with.
Since my husband has been home since March because of the pandemic has made things challenging. I am still working 3 days a week which really helps. We both need our space!!! I hope everyone stays safe and well!
I have a hard time fitting in time for myself or my hobbies with 3 kids at home (and as a homeschool mom). I usually end up staying up too late to watch something on tv or read and then I am tired the next day. I try to make the best of my toddler’s nap time though! I love it when my hubby can watch the kids for a bit too!
Thank you for this post. Alone time is so important for busy moms. I can’t properly care for others- and completely be there for them- if I don’t recharge myself on a daily basis.
For years, I put myself on the backburner — thus, causing a major burnout! Now, I’ve learned to savor those few moments such as having a cup of coffee alone before everyone else wakes up, taking an extra 5 minutes in the shower, the commute to the office. Infants are quite needy as they can’t do things for themselves, but honestly, finding time to myself has been even more difficult now that my boys are teenagers!
Practical tips that save time, energy and sanity. It helps to have a way to refuel, so you can take care of your family. Looking forward to something fun for yourself or to do with your friends helps the week go smoother and it also helps recenter yourself.
Great tips! I would get up early in the mornings before everyone else to get a start on the day. I got a lot more done without kids underfoot. I also did any errands I had to do on the weekends so my husband could be with the kids.
These are all such great suggestions. We all get so busy with life and put our health and well being on the sideline. Thank you so much for sharing this. God Bless
Lots of ideas there but some might not work if you have small children . But you have to take a break when ever you get a chance to. Dad don’t usually want to have the kids for the day either but maybe you can get lucky.
Great tips, these will be helpful as I attempt to take more time for myself. I know it will make a better me. Its just times flies by so quickly when I get involved in tasks I end up skipping my time and going to another project.
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Working moms are always busy, and busy moms are always short on time! There’s always something in the schedule we have to do, either at home or at work. We can hardly find a work-life balance, let alone squeezing in some ‘alone time’.
I have been begging for some alone ME time lately. My husband recently went back to work and he’s rarely home with very busy hours leaving me watching the kids basically 24/7. I try and read some before bedtime, but by the end of the day I’m exhausted. Being 8 weeks pregnant isn’t helping with that, but I definitely crave some ME time.
Sounds like you have a lot on your plate sweetie! You NEED me time. Pregnancy is exhausting on its own let alone with everything else you have to deal with.
These are really excellent ideas. It’s so easy to forget about self-care when you get busy. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, for some reason self-care ends up last on the list for a lot of people
Since my husband has been home since March because of the pandemic has made things challenging. I am still working 3 days a week which really helps. We both need our space!!! I hope everyone stays safe and well!
Yes, with everyone home more now alone time is even harder to find. Just lock yourself in the bath tub every now and then lol.
I have a hard time fitting in time for myself or my hobbies with 3 kids at home (and as a homeschool mom). I usually end up staying up too late to watch something on tv or read and then I am tired the next day. I try to make the best of my toddler’s nap time though! I love it when my hubby can watch the kids for a bit too!
It can be very hard for a mom to find alone time. Maybe set up a schedule with the hubby so you can get a hobby in.
Thank you for this post. Alone time is so important for busy moms. I can’t properly care for others- and completely be there for them- if I don’t recharge myself on a daily basis.
So very true! Self-care is a must for sanity!!
Mom’s truly are the best! I will be sharing this post with my momma <3
I’m sure your mom could use some me time!
Any. haha. We recently discovered Ben & Jerry’s strawberry cheesecake ice cream and it’s the current favorite around here!
That sounds like something my mother in law would love!
Finding alone time is so difficult especially during lock down. I’ve found myself up later just to get some quiet and alone time.
Staying up later is a good way to get some me time in!
Glad you mentioned ice cream. Just yesterday I added 3 different flavors of Ben & Jerry’s to our grocery pick up order! Ha!
Sounds like a great way to spend alone time. What is your favorite kind of ice cream?
Great ideas if you get so busy you forget to make time for yourself. We all need to engage in self-care! Thanks for sharing!
Self-care is so important. You have take of yourself before you can take care of others.
These are some good ideas. I try to use the time when my daughter naps to just relax for at least a few minutes.
Naptime is a great time to get in some me time! I just wish my kids still napped lol.
For years, I put myself on the backburner — thus, causing a major burnout! Now, I’ve learned to savor those few moments such as having a cup of coffee alone before everyone else wakes up, taking an extra 5 minutes in the shower, the commute to the office. Infants are quite needy as they can’t do things for themselves, but honestly, finding time to myself has been even more difficult now that my boys are teenagers!
I know what you mean. It’s about the little things. My kids are 10 and 14 and they are always there especially if something isn’t going their way.
These are some great ideas for Moms. Everyone can use some more “me” time!
You’re telling me. We all could use some me time to relax!
there is a lot of busy moms i think this is some good advice. i think i could have kept my sanity better with this advice
Haha, kids can some times make moms go crazy, huh? lol
Practical tips that save time, energy and sanity. It helps to have a way to refuel, so you can take care of your family. Looking forward to something fun for yourself or to do with your friends helps the week go smoother and it also helps recenter yourself.
So very true! Just a little bit of time for yourself can make all the difference in how your week goes.
All the busy moms I know could use some alone time. Thanks for the great list of tips.
Yes, and they deserve it too! Me time is so important for sanity.
Great tips. I usually read at night once the kids are in bed, but I find myself getting sleepy very fast.
Reading is a great me time activity!
Great tips! I would get up early in the mornings before everyone else to get a start on the day. I got a lot more done without kids underfoot. I also did any errands I had to do on the weekends so my husband could be with the kids.
Getting up early is the perfect chance to get some me time in!
These are all such great suggestions. We all get so busy with life and put our health and well being on the sideline. Thank you so much for sharing this. God Bless
Yes, moms get so wrapped up in everyone else we often put ourselves on the back burner. We need to change that!
This is great info. I am not a mother myself, but it’s great to share with others.
I would be very grateful if you shared this article with some of your busy mom friends!
Lots of ideas there but some might not work if you have small children . But you have to take a break when ever you get a chance to. Dad don’t usually want to have the kids for the day either but maybe you can get lucky.
Yeah, if you have an infant you’re out of luck for a while!
Great tips, these will be helpful as I attempt to take more time for myself. I know it will make a better me. Its just times flies by so quickly when I get involved in tasks I end up skipping my time and going to another project.
That’s exactly what I do. It’s hard to focus on yourself when you have some many other things you could be doing.