This post is for girlfriends only! It’s directed to all of you multi-tasking, hard-working, never-a-dull-moment, frazzled moms 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 we tend to get burned-out from our daily grind, easily frustrated, and ultimately unable to function in the manner our daily mom-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?
Friends, how do you make time for– YOU? How do we moms 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!
Here 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 with your friends. Take turns hosting or go out to the movies together!
- Meet friends at your favorite coffee shop for a delicious latte and girl-talk.
- Start a book club.
- Plan a breakfast or lunch date. If your kids are in school, this may be easier than a dinner date.
- Plan a monthly game night (Bunko, perhaps?). Take turns hosting or go bowling.
- Find a scrapbook event at your local craft store.
- Try out a new local restaurant with friends.
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, or carve in some time for yoga to unwind in the evening after your kids are down.
- Make an exercise date with a girlfriend. The accountability will help, plus you’ll get to spend time with them!
- Make sure you add exercise to your daily calendar / schedule, so you don’t have any excuses.
- Call it a family-event, and after dinner have the whole family go for a brisk walk.
- Take a bike ride, and enjoy the sunshine.
- Sign up for a group exercise class with friends.
How to Make Time for God / Devotion:
- Start your day with your favorite worship music – turn it up and sing out loud!
- Find a great devotional that is written with moms 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!
- Spend time journaling. Pour your thoughts, your stress, your joys, your frustrations out to God, and ask Him to meet you in them.
- Connect with other women who can encourage you, pray with you, and you can do the same for. Remember, you don’t have to go it alone!
How to Make Time for Some Easy Beauty Treatments:
- Give yourself a quick manicure once a week.
- Take a hot bubble bath.
- Buy a facial mask, and give yourself a great cleanse, exfoliation and mask once a week. Come on, it’s only 10-15 minutes and you can find some affordable options!
- Remember to use hand lotion throughout the day, especially after you wash your hands. Treat yourself with a scent you love.
- Enjoy a relaxing foot soak.
- Get a massage – even if it’s only 30 minutes, it will help relax you from all of the tension you’ve been dealing with!
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.
How do you take time for yourself? We’d love to hear your ideas!
