Just as a dedicated work-from-home zone helps you stay focused and productive, having a sacred spot to escape the day’s demands helps you restore for what’s ahead.
As mamas, we are so good at not doing this for ourselves and all too often vent about never having time to do it! You cannot run on empty. Even a 5-minute breather helps your mind turn down the noise and welcome in the quiet.
Ready to make space for YOU? Let's explore these prompts:
1. what calms you
Think about what helps you turn off or feel calm. Maybe it’s stretching or meditation. A catchy tune that moves your body. Reading. Journaling. Painting your nails. Or perhaps simply sitting still and breathing in the silence brings you back to your center. Choose what works for you, then decide...
2. where to be
If possible, your self space will give you a sense of separation. Having a spare room is golden, but you can retreat just as well in a corner of your bedroom, living room, or even a closet.
Once you’ve designated a nook, add what you need for your calm activity or to feel comfy and relaxed. Blankets and cushions are probably available and plentiful around your house. Drape a sheet over a tension rod to create privacy. Want to elevate your experience? Consider noise-canceling earbuds to truly tune out the background.
Whatever you bring in, be it something you love or deem essential to enjoying your self-time. Once you've settled on the setting, decide...
3. when to escape
While your activity and location are important, the key to making your self-time practice stick and be effective is consistency.
Pick a specific time and schedule it in your calendar to repeat daily. Yup. Every. Day. You need a regular period of peace to look forward to and if you cement this practice during a good-to-okay time in your life, it will be there to lean into habitually when times get busy, stressful, or just plain tough.
While my mission is to help you build a home you love, my experience as a working mama has shown me time and again that the space in your schedule is what matters most. You go to appointments because they're scheduled. So make space for YOU...to do what you need to be who you want.
Wondering what my self-time looks like?
I'm still working on it!
In 2019, I started waking up at 5am and it didn't take long for me to be hooked. Quiet house. Sun rising. Pure peace. And on the days when I chose sleep (usually due to one or both children waking up at 3am), I felt off. My mood and energy were lower and I missed the rush from my early morning wake. Now my quiet self-time happens M-F and it's a non-negotiable 90-minute date with myself in my family room.
My weekday AM ritual alternates between a 20-minute workout or thought writing, and always a guided meditation.
But after last year, I've learned that the morning isn't enough. Because I work from home and school gets out before 3pm, I need a transition period to wind down from work and become fully present for my family. And it's super hard. I love to create and work! But I'm trying to make my PM practice a fun learning time (bless you podcast creators), so I feel like I’m using my last solo half-hour effectively.
what self-care practice lifts you up?
I'd love to read about it in the Comments, and I hope you take time to make time for YOU.
Always,
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