On Thursday, I wrote about how I was going away for a weekend, and that it was okay for me to allow myself that time. This past weekend was nice – the ladies I spent time with are ladies I treasure.
However nice it was to get away, I started thinking about the mamas that can’t just, “get away,” whether it has to do with finances, schedules, or lack of desire to be away from their children. I started wondering, “If I weren’t blessed enough to be able to get away from the day-to-day routine once a year, what would I do to allow myself a slight reprieve?”
Other blogging moms have blogged about spending time in prayer first thing in the morning, usually with Scripture open. This usually comes with the advice to, “get up a little earlier than your children.” Sorry, that is not happening at my house. The days I rise before both children are few and far between – not only do I value sleep too much, I also require the extra sleep in order to function. So, that is not practical for me. What, then, can I do to spoil myself?
I could start by finding something small on my day to focus on, that isn’t child, or even husband, related. The focus doesn’t have to be a long one. As I was drafting this post in my head, I had gone through a Starbucks drive-thru, ordered my usual sweet nectar of goodness coffee, and savored that very first sip. That was a mini-retreat in itself. I have also done this with homemade coffee.
Other days, I spend time while E is napping and M is playing quietly, to work on editing and proof-reading, or drafting more blog posts.
Still, other days, I read a book – not a kid’s book, but what I will designate a, “Mommy book.”
Some days, I enjoy a quick shower, and make the water slightly warmer. Or, I use a body scrub that I don’t usually use.
Since I am in charge of most of the cooking done in my house, some days I will make what I want to eat, or make myself a special dessert. It doesn’t matter in the end if I “have,” to share it – what matters is I made something I wanted to make.
The older I get, the more I find recharging my batteries simply by finding the beauty in the nature around me. I take a moment to literally smell the roses (or other flowers around me).
Sometimes, my mini-retreat is simply sitting here, nursing E, and admiring how much I have done to create two wonderful kiddos. It might just be finding an admirable quality about myself, as their mother, and being able to recognize it in the little people I helped create.
I recognize I am blessed in so many ways, with support, finances, and time to go on retreats. I am also not blind that others may not be able to do what I can do once a year. What are some low- or no-cost ways you like to recharge your batteries?
At the end of the day, it is vitally important for moms to give themselves a break from their role as wife, mother, and “everything to everyone,” and focus on themselves. The break doesn’t have to be physical – it can also be merely a mental break.
And, it is okay to take that brief respite!
i like yarn. yarn helps me …wait for it… *unwind* after a long day. 😉
Haha!! Yes! For you, yarn is your “retreat”!
In GA we used to have a rule. 8pm mom takes a bath and NO ONE is allowed to bother her….for the next hour! Hubby was on board and often “sent me to my bath”. It is a little harder with a nursing infant now….
Having your partner on board is critical!! I like the 8 PM rule, though. Thank you for that idea to file away – when I also no longer have a nursing infant!