This post is for girlfriends only! It’s directed to all of you multi-tasking, hard working, never a dull moment, frazzled mommies out there! You know who you are. I happen to be one of you, too! We rarely take time for ourselves, because there just seems to be more important things to do…but guess what? That isn’t healthy, and it isn’t even Biblical.
We are told throughout Scripture “to love… like we love ourselves”. By not making ourselves a priority, we are definitely not loving ourselves. What ends up happening is that we tend to get burned out from our daily grind, easily frustrated, and ultimately unable to function in the manner our daily mommy-jobs require.
These thoughts hit me today, when I was at the grocery store, realizing that I was at one of my favorite weekly, alone-time outings! Seriously, grocery shopping should not be the one and only outing during the week which I look forward to. Even IF they have a Starbucks inside and I get to have a yummy skinny vanilla latte. No. There should be a little more to life, don’t you think?
Girlfriends, how do you make time for– YOU? How do we mommies fit in some time for ourselves during the busy schedules we keep? In between school, housework, church, errands, naps, feedings and kid’s activities, is there even enough hours in the day to fit in anything else?
If you’re like me that whole thought process almost (I said almost…) brings on feelings of guilt. I desire some “me” time, but then feel like the world, (aka: house; kids; hubby; meal plans; homework; laundry; and the family’s very ability to breathe and function) just might come crumbling down, should I leave my post for longer than that hour-long trip to the store. I like to refer to this as “Stinkin’ Thinkin’”. — And personally, I have a chronic case!
So through this blog, I am hoping to encourage you, my sisters, to take some time for yourselves during the coming weeks! Consider it a challenge. One in which I will also take part!
A few areas where we can start are: (1) Making time for friends to assist us in our emotional health. (2) Making time for exercise, to assist us in our physical health. (3) Making time for God /devotion, to assist us in our spiritual health. (4) Making time for some easy beauty treatments, because when life gets busy we sometimes neglect ourselves in this area. You will be surprised how good you will feel when you do just a couple of the suggestions. Because, really–we are all still girls, first!
The following bullet points are some suggestions I have come up with, which I am going to put into play myself!
How to Make Time for Friends:
- Plan a movie night once a month. Take turns hosting.
- Meet friends at Starbucks for a latte and little light girl-talk.
- Start a book club.
- Plan a breakfast date. If kids are in school, this may be easier than a dinner date.
- Plan a monthly game night (Bunko). Take turns hosting.
- Find a scrap-book event at your local craft store.
- Go wine tasting.
How to Make Time for Exercise:
- Turn on some fun music and dance around the room with (or without) your kids.
- Get up a half hour earlier and go for a walk or hit the treadmill.
- Make an exercise date with a girlfriend. The accountability will help!
- Make sure you add exercise to your daily calendar / schedule.
- Call it a family-event, and after dinner have the whole family go for a brisk walk.
How to Make Time for God / Devotion:
- Start your day with your favorite praise music!–turn it up and sing out loud.
- Find a great devotional that is written with mommy’s in mind. I’m a fan of Lisa Welchel.
- Before you start your school day or send the kids off to theirs, have prayer time. Pray over them and have them pray for you!
- Find a women’s daily devotional blog that speaks to your heart, and follow it. It will bless you!
How to Make Time for Some Easy Beauty Treatments:
- Give yourself a quick manicure once a week.
- Take a hot bubble bath.
- Buy a reasonably priced facial mask, and give yourself a great cleanse, exfoliation and mask once a week. Come on, it’s only 10-15 minutes!
- Remember to use hand lotion throughout the day, each time you wash your hands.
- Try to apply lipstick, lip gloss, a little mascara and some eye brow pencil.
These are just a few suggestions. I’m sure you can come up with an even better list for yourself! The goal is to get healthier…physically, emotionally and spiritually. We do it for ourselves, but in the end it will enable us to continue to bless our families in the roles that God has bestowed on us; the roles of wife and mother. We needn’t lose ourselves in those demanding roles, but rather tune into that part of us that needs a little boost.
Let me know if this describes you, as well. Maybe you have some ideas to share with the ladies who follow this blog? Please feel free to share with us any comments!
