Plenty of people find it difficult to get some time alone. We’re all busy with work, our home life, family, activities, and just life in general. It can be hard to find some time for yourself. But, more and more, I see that women and moms in particular, complain the most about getting some time for themselves – some “me time“.
It seems that men either don’t require “me time” as much as women do or they just don’t admit it. At any rate, it makes sense that parents are often the ones asking how they can get a little time alone and away from the everyday.
I thought about some of the ways that I manage to keep my sanity and balance out my life a little bit. Ok, well, maybe not my life, but my head at least.
7 Ways to Squeeze in “Me Time”
- Take a break to goof around on the Internet. Whether it be a quick tour of your favorite social media networks or visiting your preferred blogs to read or just simply doing a bit of online shopping, you will be amazed how a few minutes online can easily give your brain a much needed break from reality.
- Pretend you have to use the bathroom. I know this sounds crazy. Believe me, I do. However, when you’ve got too much going on and it seems like it’ll be a while before you can break from it, this may be a temporary solution. Just lock the bathroom door and give yourself 10 minutes of quiet. If you have a magazine rack in your bathroom or leave a book in there, you can even catch up on some of that reading you’ve been meaning to do. And sweetie…if you’re reading this…I never do this. Ever.
- Take a shower. Or bath. Make it a LONG one. Don’t rush your shower. Take a few extra minutes to just let the warm water hit your back. Or spend a bit more time working the shampoo into your hair. If you can take a nice relaxing bubble bath, then even better!
- Enforce bedtime. Make sure that your kids stick to their bedtime. I can’t tell you how much I love the 2-3 hours each night after my baby girl goes to sleep. Most of the time, I end up spending this time either working or watching some TV with my husband, but there’s times that I get those hours all to myself if I plan in advance.
- Meditate. Pray. Reflect. Whatever you call it and however you do it, taking some time to think about things can do wonders for clearing your head of all the noise. You can easily do this while driving, cooking, or cleaning.
- Exercise. Go for a 20 minute walk. Do a quick yoga routine. Or dance along to some music.
- Go grocery shopping. It’s something that needs to be done anyway, isn’t it? Leave everyone else at home and go by yourself. You may even get the shopping done faster than normal (but not TOO fast, ok?).
These tips may not be glamorous. They may not include a night out on the town with your girls. But, they’re realistic and can offer some simple yet effective ways for you to feel like you’re getting a little “me time” in for yourself. Also? I hope it’s obvious that if you have kids, you’ll clearly need to have someone supervising them when you’re getting your “me time“. Especially if you’re locking yourself in the bathroom. 😉
How do you find some time for yourself? What do you normally do with your “me time”?
Photo of woman by: erin_m
Photo of water by: Alejandra Mavroski
Great post! Sounds like being busy and not having enough “me” time is the common theme this week. I recently wrote a post on how being “crazy busy” is the new drug of choice. I say “choice” because we do choose to accept ALL that’s on our plate. I’m a work in progress, that’s for sure, but I’m beginning to read a lot on zen living. Today, however, I’m going to enforce an early bedtime for the kids. Great tip!
@Angelica Perez, You’re right. We do choose the work and how we balance it all out. But, sometimes, we don’t choose the chaos that’s around us and not directly related to our work. Hope your early bedtime went well!
I definitely do the ‘I need to goto the bathroom!’ I take my palm pilot with me and sit on the counter or floor and tweet or read blogs! I gives me a few minutes to relax and not think about anything!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing! I passed it on!
@Erin Pyle (@erinjeany), I’m so glad that I’m not the only one that thinks about sneaking away into the bathroom! Isn’t it funny how just those few minutes help?
This had me laughing b/c it is so sad that this is the only way for us to get “me time” most of the time. I have made my bathroom and shower visits longer and longer each time. Hubby is starting to get suspicious! 🙂
@Mami2Mommy, He’ll get used to it! Just tell him you’ve added some new ritual to your routine. 😉
What great suggestions Melanie 🙂
@Toni, Thanks so much!
These are great tips for finding those few minutes of sanity that you need on a busy day with kids. For real balance and me-time though I find the key things are having your spouse (for those who have one) be an equal parent (and not just a babysitter) so that you can have some true down time to yourself without feeling like you are abandoning your kids. Also building a village of trusted relatives or friends who you can trade off with also helps.
@Annie @ PhD in Parenting, I completely agree. Your partner needs to be more than just “involved” for long-term sanity to survive.
As serving as an LDS Sister Missionary you have to be with your companion where ever you go (except at home, bathroom, etc.). This can be quite stressful especially if you have a snobby companion, so everywhere we went I always asked to use the restroom, and to have 5-10 minutes to myself was so joyful and wonderful! I think we all did this, so when I read your article I chuckled because I had mastered the bathroom for time alone. Now with 2 kids I never have the bathroom to myself anymore, oh well.
Reclaim that bathroom as yours! Lock the door (as long as someone else is with the kids) and have your time alone. 😉
I love lists like these. I am always thinking of how much more “me” time I need. I know the whole world needs more me time. It is so important, uplifting and releasing all at once.
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.
Debbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.nDebbie
Thanks for the tips I like to take a long bath.
Debbie
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Hi! i Stumbled by and I love your suggestions.nDo you have any tips for battling the guilt that comes with me-time? i could totally use some of those too.
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow…the guilt. That’s something that’s always there, huh? I try to remindrnmyself that I too am an individual outside of being a mom. So, if I take arnfew moments for myself, or even a night, half a day, etc…then, that’s ok.rnMy daughter will learn to be with others – which she loves to hang out withrnher dad and her abuela – and she’ll appreciate that I’m more patient when Irnreturn. 😉
Wow, I like the part where you pretend you have to go to the bathroom! Haha. me-time is really so precious, more so for us moms!