As home business owners we tend to work all sorts of hours. Our business is often in the back of our minds, it is not like we go into work from 9-5 and then come home and leave work at work. If we are also a mum, then we are most probably super busy trying to run our buisness and also having to work around the kids. On their daycare day we are trying to get as much done as possible, or during their sleep time and quite often even workng late nights. It is a lot easier to work when the kids are asleep. There are no toddlers throwing themselves on the ground and having tantrums with blood curdlng screams and baby is most likely to be having less feeds at night.
Amidst all this chaos, it can be difficult to find time for ourselves. It is hard enough to go to the bathroom or have a shower in peace let alone have time to ourselves. We well and truly deserve some me time, however despite all that we do, we sometimes even feel a bit guilty when we do try and have time to ourselves.
How can we have some of that very important me time?? Here are a few points on how to make time ofr me;
- Remember it is quality time and not quantity. Taking a couple of minutes to have some genuine relaxation can do the world of good.
- Tell yourself 'I deserve it'! By making the time to have me time you are not only looking after your wellbeing by reducing stress levels, but it will also help you to be a better business owner, mother, wife etc etc. When you are more refreshed then you are more able to do quality work and give to others.
- Write down some ideas on how you would like to have so me time and then set some goals and stick to them. It doesn't have to be complicated, it can be as simple as a relaxing bath once a week or "I'm going for a walk around the block once a week ."
- Keep a journal, book or pen and paper next to the bed and spend 10-15 mintues before going to sleep drawing, writing or reading.
- Join a gym. Many gyms have creche's, reasonable prices and a range of good classes such as pilates, yoga & zumba. They are open day, night, weekends and some are open 24 hours.
- Get a babysitter and regularly and have a date night with your partner. Even if it is once a month, bi-monthly or quaterly.
- Do the same with regularly organising time with friends.
- Book in a massage, facial or some type of pampering.
- If you are working on the business while the kids are asleep, then allow yourself to have atleast 1-2 early nights a week. If you work during day sleeps, set aside some of the sleep time to relax. For example if your child sleeps for 2 hours, then do your work and house duties for 1 1/2 hours and have a break for atleast half an hour. Even better, allow yourself atleast 1 day a week to have a rest during sleep time and not do any house work or business work.
- Organise a holiday each year. It doesn't matter if it is only a weekend. Plan ahead and put a little bit of money aside each week for it, even if it is only $5. If you save $5 a week for a year you have $260, if you save $10 you have $520. Which would contribute to alteast 1-2 nights away.
You don't have to imagine, you can experience it. I am mum of 6 month and 21 month old girls, study and have home business. I can say that I have made a real effort to go to the gym three times a week (pilates twice and zumba once), sometime I go four times a week. I regularly write, read, take baths , occassionally do craft (felting) and even sometimes meditate. I am a much better person for it and can really notice the difference when I don't do these things.
Kym Presdee
Owner - Work at Home Hub
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