To get out of the cycle of always putting others first, you first need to start making yourself the priority. I don’t mean you should stop caring for your kids and helping other people. What I do mean is that you should set aside time every day for things that help YOU. This could for example be:
- Meditating
- Relaxing in a hot bath
- Reading a good book
- Exercising
- Doing something creative
- Giving yourself a home spa treatment
- Giving yourself a footbath
- Getting a manicure or other form of pampering
- Writing in your journal
Or anything else that means loving yourself a little each day. So many people skip this because they feel that they don’t have the time, or that it would be selfish. Well, it’s actually good for you to be selfish sometimes. To be able to help and take care of others, your needs have to be met. You have to make yourself the priority and treat yourself right. If you only think of the demands set on you by society and people close to you, you’ll burn out quicker than a cheap candle.
So go and do something for yourself today! If you have more suggestions for what you can do with me-time, leave me a comment below.
Wonderful suggestions. Love doing creative things – painting pottery is relaxing. Actually, just getting out of the house and away from the family is the best … taking a walk or going to the gym. I need to do more of the “me” time! Thanks for sharing!
Me too, I don’t do well if I’m not creating something for any length of time. My pleasure 🙂
I always stay up after all have gone to bed. I then spent time doing things that I didn’t have time to do that day. I mostly read and pray. Sometimes I bake…
That’s the only time I used to have as well. Now I have the day part to myself, and the part after the other two have gone to sleep. It’s done w wonders for me 🙂 Mainly because my energy is drained by the pain. Working full time is no longer a realistic option.
This is a great post!
We as women need to remember this.
Alot of the time, I have to shut my phones off, and pretend I am not home(I’ve even had to lie to some friends and said I needed a nap), certain people just don’t seem to get, that alone time is important. And most of the rest just look at you like your from another planet.
I definitely understand the need for shutting it off and taking time to yourself. It’s strange that some people have no understanding at all for this.
Great post! I’ve found that when I think I don’t have the time for self-care, I’ve got it backwards, because when I do it regardless, suddenly time seems to expand and I’ll have enough time to accomplish everything I meant to do.
Time is very relative, it’s energy really just like money 🙂
Same here, and when I don’t have time is when I need it the most. Could do with a bit more energy flowing in at the moment, so painting my nails last night might have been a good idea 😀 I haven’t done that in I don’t know how many years 🙂
Such an important message for all, but especially women! Sometimes it just feels that there is not enough time in the day to do it all and have quality time with the kids.
Thanks for posting =)
Have you tried doing it after they’re asleep? It doesn’t have to be anyting elaborate.
Today my thing was going to yoga. I SOOOOO love doing yoga!
I love doing Yoga too, but I’m on a forced break because of impingement syndrome and hypermobility requiring shoulder surgery on both shoulders.