There’s nothing particularly special about the New Year… it’s just a nice break in time for us to refocus and re-prioritize.
When I’m coming down off the holiday season high, and the fog of joy + cheer starts to wane, that’s when I start to notice when I’ve let my self-care routine fall off the plate. It’s so easy to do in all the end-of-year craze.
But then I remember, I must put my mask on before helping others {yes, the most overused self-care analogy ever… but so effective in making the point}. I’m NO GOOD to anyone if I’m run down. And neither are you.
If you’re feeling me, and have also allowed your self-care train to derail, don’t fret. I’m here to help you {and me} rediscover me time in 3 simple steps.
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Know Your Priorities:
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Start Small:
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Pen Yourself In:
Everything you choose to do begins with knowing your priorities. To commit to a self-care routine, you truly need to evaluate what’s important to you, and what things you’re willing to rearrange in order to fit yourself in. When what you do aligns with what you value, you really cannot lose. So, make sure that when planning self-care, you remain in alignment with your core desires and values. This also helps to prevent guilt and can help you to better appreciate the time you take away from it all since you know that your other priorities aren’t suffering in order to make this happen.
I had a conversation with a mom of four who said she can’t take time out for herself because she doesn’t have a day, or even a few hours, to devote only to herself. I told her the trick I used to get into my self-care routine which was to start small. First it was a mani at the salon {30 mins}. Then I added a pedi {60 mins total}. Before long I was stepping away for a couple of hours to include a facial or massage. Sometimes I just go to the local coffee shop for a couple of hours and read a book while sipping my favorite latte. Don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking that the only way to recharge is by taking large chunks of time off. There’s a lot of self-love and energy replenishing that can happen in just 30 minutes. So start small, and work your way up.
You know the phrase “pencil it in” – which basically means it could change so don’t use anything permanent in case it has to be erased. Well with self-care, I say pen yourself in. Make this a must-do date that cannot be moved {unless of course there’s an emergency or a truly more pressing need at that time}. The best gift you can give yourself is to remain committed and consistently treat yourself to little getaways. Step into your own bubble and allow yourself to be pampered or indulge in a few of your favorite things. Treat it like you mean it – it’s important, YOU are important!
I’m happy to report that I’ll be getting back to my self-care routines this month and sticking to it. The other day my 7yo son said to me “Mommy, why are you so mean lately? I think you need a time out!” I just laughed and hugged him while apologizing for my snappy behavior lately.
Obviously it’s not solely to blame on my lapsed self-care regimen… but I’m comfortable in saying that’s got a lot to do with why I’ve been a bit grumpy lately.
Of course, everyone else is happy and content as can be because I’ve made sure of it… that’s just what us moms do – and it’s also why we can’t forget to include ourselves on the list of people who need to stay happy. *wink*
I want to hear from you!
Do you have a self-care regimen that you stick to? If not, do you plan on making a pledge to self-care this year? Please leave me a comment below and let’s have a discussion.
Related: PR Newswire- – New Book Shows Moms How to Recover Me Time
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and let’s spread the self-care love! <3
Comments 48
I am so used to waiting on my family and others that I usually don’t make time for myself and I should because I get stressed out easy. I love that tip of yours to just pen it in & just do it! The only time I ever had my hair done & a manicure was when I had an event to go to. I would have loved to have had it done, because I wanted to – for me & to make me happy! You are right! Women should heed this advice and be HAPPY ?
It’s been a while since I’ve pampered myself and went to a salon. I might have to do that again. Now, I have to research the salons in my area. Thanks!
This past year I have totally lost myself. Lots of therapy has helped. I am following your suggestions and feeling a lot better. Thank you
It is so important to take care of yourself so you can help others. I, like alot of other people, do not do this. You are so right, we need to pen this into our schedule. Thank you so much for this great reminder
very interesting
you good at blogging about of life
thank you for sharing inspiring
Carin, you are so dead on. I never take time for me. I rarely even buy myself anything cause I feel guilty if I do. I truly need to do what you suggested and start slow. Take a 10 minute walk and slowly add 10 more minutes. Or better yet get a manicure. But I for sure need to do something for me. I can barely find 10 minutes to shower let alone wash my face the way it should be washed and cared for.
Have to have that “me” time. I try to make an hour for myself to take a nice bath and pamper myself with a pedicure and all th things us women do to feel and look good. Great tips !
i love your sit i love how inspirational it is and how interesting it is to read
Author
Thank you Krystel!
a good reminder for everyone
I really need to make more time for “me time” Everyone needs this in their life!
very great ideas love the ideas
so true!
I love the phrase “Pen In”! Just like we make important appointments with the doctors or the boss, we rearrange our schedules so we don’t miss the important appointment. Well, “I” am an important appointment! That same sense of urgency we give to other appointments, we must give ourselves that same urgency and importance. Also, we must communicate this to our families so that they can help support the “me time”. My family has coined Thursdays as “Mommy Day”. When I get home from work, that’s when my me time starts. When I stray from my me time, they remind me “Mommy, what are you doing? Don’t you know what today is?” We picked Thursdays because by then, my busy week has caught up with me; I’m tired and Grumpy Smurf starts to show up!
Love the website and I’m super proud of you!!!
Great post- I sure got a lot of inspiration here. I am definitely going to switch the pencil for the pen.
So True! I really liked pen yourself in! It’s so important to have me time!
very great information
So true. A good start for the day . Me time is so important . Thank you.
Excellent ideas! Starting small – we can all find time to do that. And penning youself in. Time for self care isn’t an option, it’s a must. I’ve learned to start my day, whether it’s a work day or a day off, doing something I want to do. It might be reading, knitting, walking, web surfing, but 30 – 60 minutes spent that way is a great launch to the day. Now, I can do that because I’m self employed. When I was an employee, though, I started my day reading something I enjoyed on my train commute. I learned I needed to plan in a similar me-time into my solopreneur routine.
Author
Good point about starting the day right… it makes a world of difference. :).
Sometimes it seems that the only “me” time I get is when I use the bathroom and can legitimately lock the door! I need to take your advice and do a better job – maybe I’ll get out of the house and treat myself to a mani/pedi!
Author
Haha I can definitely relate to that!
I need to do this
Great tips! I always “pen in” time for facial masks and giving myself manis and pedis.
wow thanks for such amazing tips and i love your blog. its a wonderfull place tom read some amazing articles which lift the mood and make me feel happy.
Wow, what a great post…and so true. My “me time” has evolved into “We time” over the years…and by that I mean, it is the precious time every day that I spend with God…recharging my spirit, re-energizing my joy, and allowing Him to restore my soul and renew my strength. Truly, if I do not get THIS time in with Him everyday, the rest of my whole day is out of whack and off-skelter, I am irritable, and I become frustrated trying to do it all in my own strength, instead of relying upon His. I have learned the hard way that my “WE time” with Jesus is the most important part of my “self-care” routine. Thanks for the wonderful words today. So happy to have found your blog. God bless!
Author
I love that Cheryl! And God is certainly an important part of the recharging process… thanks for sharing. :).
I like to do a facial and take a bubble bath when I have alone time.
Great tips! We all deserve a little “me” time! I am horrible with running myself into the ground helping everyone around me, but this past weekend I took time for myself and just relaxed. It was amazing and just what I needed!
Good luck with your blog.
Definitely needed this! I’m a stay at home mom of twin girls and i’m constantly forgetting to take care of myself or have ‘Me Time’! It’s so important!
You are so right every body needs some me time no matter who they are. I have one whole day in my dairy that says “me time”. I go to art galleries or walk across the beach and warm up drinking hot chocolate in the nearest cafe to the beach. I love my me time and would give it up for no body and I don’t feel selfish for say that.
Author
^5 – nothing selfish about it! And by the beach, I’m so jealous. Haha Sounds divine. :).
I <3 that… "pen yourself in". I never realized the energy behind penciling something in was impermanence. That's really a great tip!
I’m ready. I’m doing it. I need it – my son hasn’t asked why I’m grumpy, but I’ve asked myself why I am!
All great tips! I really like the idea of taking even the smallest time possible out for yourself.
Very timely read for me! I’ve been struggling how to get that “Me Time”.
I’ve certainly fallen off the “Mi” wagon but I plan to get back on it. Last year I realized that working out was really good Mi time. Not only was I getting my body right, I would put my music on and run the city, there was something so liberating about that. I have to get back on track.
Great tips! I’m making a commitment to get a mani/pedi/massage/eyebrows session once a month in 2015. Scary hands and feet make for a scary mommy!
Author
I definitely agree with you on that one! Haha – gotta keep the hands and feet on point!
I like the idea of “pen yourself in” because so often we pencil ourselves in or just imagine ourselves in and as a result never take the time for ourselves that we actually need.
Author
Exactly Janeane! We often allow our time to be pushed aside and fail to give us the importance we deserve.
There is no better way to remember yourself then to look at it in a simple way! I just wrote about my plan to get some “Me Time.” I truly feel like I never get anything accomplished or if I do it never feels fulfilling and that has a lot to do with not breaking away for just me. My patience level is also at zero and as a mom of a toddler with another on they way, that is not good.
Thanks for keeping it simple. I’m penning myself in!
Author
So true… I’m totally off when I’m not tending to ME. Yay for penning yourself in! ^5
Taking care of self is essential. I am a believer of the importance of “ME” time. Thank you for giving me the tools to ensure it happens!!!! xoxo
Author
Yea Simone! I’m glad you’ll be taking care of self – it’s so important. xo
I love your site and your book offerings! I agree with this post! I was so on self-care hard before I got my present job and I just got tired… Now I have to get on it. #selfcaregrind
Author
Thank you Bernetta! And I’m glad to hear that you make self-care a priority. Good stuff!