The “Me Time” Debate
Posted: November 9, 2011 at 9:38 am**Did you enter the SHAPE Magazine and Fiber One fitness pack giveaway? You don’t want to miss this one before it ends tomorrow!**
Ever since I got home from Savannah on Sunday, I have had little motivation for doing too much productive. I have just wanted to keep the fun going! Good thing this week somehow turned up with little on our schedules. No school functions. No church meetings. No deadlines. No pressure.
In other words, I have done fun activities with the kids and squeezed in a lot of “me time” in between. Lately I have tried really hard to prioritize my time in as non-stressful a way as possible. Instead of cramming *more more more more* into my days, I hope to focus on the things that must get done. The things that have the biggest lasting impact. And the things that fulfill me most.
Such as library and park play dates with the kiddos.
Taking time for my passions, but also taking time for things like reading books.
And getting in my favorite form of “me time” of all – killer workouts!
I did four miles on the treadmill yesterday and it felt so good. I love running so much! I also did Level 3 of Jillian Michaels’ The Shred in the afternoon.
That 20 minutes will get you where it hurts.
Sure, sometimes life gets crazy mad hectic and I have little time for these types of things. BUT - I’m a lot happier these past few weeks than I have been in awhile. All because I have taken some of the pressure off myself and put more of a focus on enjoying life – doing the things I enjoy – having more “me” and “family” time.
Interestingly enough, this topic got a lot of attention when I was listening to my favorite radio show the other morning. The hosts talked about a post they came across about how working moms get just 30 minutes to themselves every day.
I can believe it! I know I’ve been in those shoes and I’m not even a working mom!
I checked it out and, at first, it simply solidified my recent desires to find more balance. Then, I read the comments and found myself slightly appalled. A few of them boiled down to “if you want ‘me time’ either don’t work or don’t have kids, otherwise shut up”. Really?
Kids undoubtedly take a lot of time and commitment. As does work. However, I fully believe women (and men, for that matter) can be exceptional parents, remain committed to their goals, and enjoy some fun. Sometimes certain things have to slide and it’s a constant shuffling of priorities, but it is possible. It’s important to keep perspective, but it’s also understandable to feel overwhelmed at times. And in keeping perspective, I love what a lady who inspires me says:
Awesome, huh? We can all make the most of life. We can all find some time for ourselves to actually love life. It doesn’t have to be one way or the other.
- What are your thoughts on “me time” with work and/or kids?
- What’s the last thing you did just for you and/or just for fun?
Tags: positive attitude
Everyone needs “me time” for overall well being. My time is spent in the gym, but sometimes that feels too much like work and not enough like self-bonding. I think a book and wine night is in my future, or at least I hope it is!
BTW – 4 miles and a workout DVD – daaang girl! You’re torching some calories!
I think me time is incredibly important, even though sometimes I have a hard time justifying it.
My me time makes me sane and a better mom. I am sure of it. I went running this morning before anyone was awake, and I’ll get a mani-pedi later. It’s going to be heavenly.
First time reading your blog. A friend of mine found it and knew I’d be interested because I am “the mother of me time” (after being queen of “me last”). I created the blog http://www.mefirstblog.com and #mefirst on Twitter with the purpose of providing a place for women to support each other as they work through the challenges of self-care. There are so many positive posts in the comments it really makes me grin! Cat & Anne, you are right your ‘me time’ is necessary in order for you to be the best _______ you can (fill in that blank with all the roles you play)! Certainly doing less of other things AND having realistic expectations of what is “enough” exercise time and balanced eating play a big role. Food, movement, and fun… that’s the three focus areas of #MeFirst!
I love those words from Heather! I am very bad at making “me time” ~ I think it’s a holdover from living in Manhattan that I feel guilty every time I relax, even if only for a few minutes!
Now that the holidays are upon us, I’ll probably steal some productive AND relaxing me-time by baking cookies to fatten up my friends and relatives 😉
When I first turned stay at home mom from full time working mom, I was shocked at how little “me time.” I had. I had visions of lazy, kicked back days which were quickly replaced by 2 kids who were so excited I was home all day, a newborn, healing from a c-section, and no idea what I was doing. In the past 3.5 years I have been staying home full time, I realize how important it is to take care of ME in order to really take care of my family.
So true! I think me time is important, but at the same time, I think sometimes the media puts too high a focus on so called “self love” ( just posted about this on Monday: http://hungryhealthyhilary.com/2011/11/07/self-love-and-thai-food/) . Last thing I did for myself was a delightful homemade facial steam/scrub (recipe in link)…so nice!
Hmmmm, me time is great but I will tell you this – Love those kids with all your might and spend as much time with them as possible. You will get plenty of me time when they grow up.
I needed to read this and couldn’t agree with you more – thank you for posting. I’m currently taking some time off work, some me time, some family time, some time to relax and read and just get more things in order so that when I go back i’m hopefully not as overwhelmed. Thank you again for posting!