Me-time ideas for busy mums

I’ll let you in on a secret, guys. Sometimes, when there’s too much to do and too little time, I let things slide.

You know, instead of cooking a nutritious meal I’ll boil some pasta and throw on pasta sauce straight from the jar instead of making one using fresh tomatoes that happily grew on the vines of sunny Italy. I use more dry shampoo than I care to admit and when friends pop around unexpectedly, I open the empty side of my wardrobe and shove in all the laundry that I haven’t yet folded after emptying the tumble dryer five days ago. To keep up appearances. Because as mums we are expected to have it all under control, aren’t we?

The importance of me-time

Traditional and social media will us to fit into the mould of the Stepford wive and perfect mum when let’s face it, we’re all just human. We all make mistakes, we all get stressed and overwhelmed and we need the easy way out every now and again because being a mum is bloody hard work. That’s why it’s all the more important that we get some me-time from time to time.

I know that after having some time off from my mum duties, I feel more positive and motivated about everything that life and motherhood throw at me, so if it’s at all possible for you, try to make some time just for yourself and do something that helps you to relax and recharge your batteries.

While we’d all love to pop onto our laptop to book one of the many fancy spa day packages that we longingly look at when they pop up in our Facebook sidebar, taking a whole day out to get pampered at our favourite spa is often not possible and a rare treat. So to give you some inspiration for more regular me-time activities, I have asked some of my blogging friends for their me-time secrets and here’s what they said:

Me-time  – how do mums really relax?

Go to the gym! It might not sound so relaxing, but I get one hour usually to myself with my music without being hassled by hubby or kids! I find it relaxing in a way! Victoria from Lylia Rose

I go into my little office space with some chocolate and an ice cold glass of coke and muck about on Facebook/YouTube/online shopping. Clare from Mumsy Midwife

Take a bubble bath with a glass of wine and a good book. You can’t beat it. Terry from The Strawberry Fountain

Mine is lying on my bed & reading a good book, it’s the only thing that relaxes me to escape into it. Susan from Susan K Mann

I like to sit in the garden and just breathe it all in. I have planted mint and lavender next to each other and I run my fingers through them as I sit as I find the scents so relaxing. Preferably when the kids are at school so I am not being constantly interrupted! Nikki from Yorkshire Wonders

I love to go to the theatre or opera and lose myself for a couple of hours. It’s amazing! Clare from Freddie’s Mummy

I have 3 favourite ways to get “me time” – working (!), putting in my headphones and listening to an audiobook, or adult colouring! Kate from Freddie’s Mummy

I take the dogs for a long walk. Clears the head! Tracey from Pack the PJs

I cross stitch! I take myself off to my stitching corner in our bedroom and relax. No phone, no distractions – just bliss. Nicola from A Blog’s Life

Go for a run…..no one with me and time for a think about anything in the fresh air. Jen from Just Average Jen

I like to sit in my tree hammock and read or create a little reading nook indoors. Karina from Mum’s the Nerd

I go to choir once a week. It’s me-time, it’s fun, it’s sociable and it really de-stresses me. Emma from Emma Reed

Watch a girly movie whilst having a nice glass of wine and box of chocolates. Anita from Suitcase and Adventures

I go down to the beach and just listen to the waves crashing against the shore. We are fortunate to be only around five minutes away from the beach by car, it’s my happy place. Emma from Even Angels Fall

I meditate and I find it genuinely helps. I do a lot of things that tax me mentally so it’s really hard not to think about them all. Clearing my head, taking a mental break and focusing on myself, even for a few minutes really helps me relax and avoid burnout. Charlotte from The Mummy Toolbox

I like to go out for a walk on my own. I love walking on a beach or somewhere with stunning scenery. It de-stresses me and relaxes me so much as well as helps me appreciate life and where I live. Emma from Life as Mum

What to do you do if you’ve got some me time? DO you like to let off energy exercising? Do you have a creative outlet or do you simply prefer a rare moment of peace and quiet?

Collaborative post