Parents are some of the busiest people in the world. They’re always working to put someone else’s needs before their own, and as a result, tend to forget about themselves. This isn’t a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination, but if you’re one of these selfless parents you’ve probably thought about how nice it would be to catch up on some “me time”.
Mums and dads need a break from the stressful and difficult task of being a parent every now and then. Luckily, there are ways to work some “me time” into your schedule without jeopardising your role as best parent alive.
She Knows shared a list of ways to help add some personal time to your busy lifestyle, and we figured we’d relay that information to make sure our readers can learn how to gain some much needed “me time”.
Check out these 4 simple ways to sneak in a little “me time” to your hectic life:
1. Get up earlier
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Wakey, wakey parents! One of the easiest ways to guarantee some personal time is to set your alarm clocks to an earlier time. By waking up earlier than usual, you’ll be able to handle more tasks in your day, or just get everything completed with time to spare. Alternatively, you can wake up early and use that time as your personal escape from your busy life. Kick back, do a little reading, drink some coffee or tea, and get mentally prepared for the long day ahead.
2. Organise/analyse your schedule
A lot of the time, parents have schedules that are oversaturated with chores, and needless activities. We’re not saying throw out your responsibilities and duties, but we are saying that you should analyse your schedule and see what you really NEED to do. If there’s anything that doesn’t really need to be done, then remove it from your schedule or push it to another time. Think of it as a healthy form of procrastination. Organise and plan the activities that you can’t do without and use the time left over to relax! Don’t add more tasks to your busy life.
3. Cut back
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It might seem like we’re just reiterating our last entry, and to some extent we are. What we mean here is that instead of having to remove a bunch of duties from your schedule all the time, recognise that you need some “me time” and cut back on your schedule altogether. Don’t commit to things you don’t want to do, don’t commit to things you don’t need to do. Don’t over-schedule, and instead leave some blank spots on your planner. Use that time to recharge and get some personal time.
4. Coordinate with other parents
Once in a blue moon, when you decide to get some precious “me time”, a wise strategy is to coordinate with other parents. You can alternate days and take turns watching each other’s kids. It makes for a fun playdate for your kids and serves as a relaxing (and well-deserved) break for yourself.
If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them with us!