I had a first time experience this weekend and I need to share it.
I‘ve been preaching about “Me Time” for a while now, and I do fully recognize that it is much easier said than done. I survived my dbl family school break staycation. Add a week of sick kids, which equals no sleep for me. So, I decided to check into a local hotel/spa and take a moment to breathe, rejuvenate, think, and most importantly sleep. Savoring every moment is an understatement, but listening to my body is spot on! Bottom line is I needed to sleep and I needed a moment for me, which ultimately is better for them.
Two of my mommy friends celebrating their birthdays joined me, one of whom is a master at “me time” and she is a better mom and wife for it! My other girlfriend works, travels when necessary and lives her life while being an amazing devoted mother of 2 girls, but she does it all. I, on the other hand, just took my FIRST night off from my children since they were born with the exception of one Napa wedding that David and I traveled to and a FEW work obligations. That reality has been mind blowing to many of my mommy friends, but quite the norm for me.
As I was sharing my play by play on Twitter – yes I did relax without my laptop, (but I am addicted to Twitter); someone replied to me tweeting, “most of us following you are not going on spa getaways…” I thought about that and wondered if I should not be sharing the luxuries of my life while most people cannot enjoy them…then I thought about the reasons I share what I do and the underlining message behind it all. It’s a delicate choice that I make to open up my life and share my personal and family experiences, but I do it when I have something I believe is meaningful…
It’s not about the SPA getaway, it was about me listening to my body, knowing what I need and taking a moment for myself for a change. And more importantly, I didn’t feel guilty about it. I seriously thought I was going to lose it if I did not get one uninterrupted night’s sleep. I slept for 7 hours and 21 minutes last night, (last look at the clock before dosing off) and it was the most valuable gift I have given myself in a LONG time!!! Reality is that when I’m home, the kids find me and they need me. I had to leave the house to get some rest and they were perfectly happy to have the fun night I planned for them while mommy was away.
Ok, so for those who can’t pull that off, create a haven at home. Take an hour hot bath; make a homemade spa in your own bathroom. Light a candle; create a new easy listening playlist on Pandora (it’s free), make your own spa bath out of chamomile tea bags and milk. Drink some green tea alone and breathe… take 10 minutes to stretch, go for a silent walk, take a nap while your kids are napping. Find a moment to pamper yourself in some way. We take care of everyone else all day long, what about “me time”. I love taking care of my family, but I need some TLC too, even if I have to give it to myself!
Someone else tweeted me today, “Isn’t being a mom about finding that same peace at home?”
I answered, “I do”.
I can create that same feeling I enjoyed today in my own home and I have many times. But yesterday, I needed a moment of solitude, I heard it loud and clear and I took it. It was just the right dose of “me time” before I knew it I was back in bed reading fairy tales just where I left off. Honestly, that one night will last me a very long time..
“Serenity isn’t freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm”
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