With the holiday season upon us life can get crazy. As moms we can feel pulled in a million directions and our to-do lists can look as long as The Garden State Parkway. There is cooking, baking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, family get-togethers, entertaining….. you get it, the list goes on and on. Something typically absent from this list for moms is a little time for self. I know what you’re thinking, “There is no time for me.I barely have time to sleep during this time of year”. Well, I am about to let you in on a little secret that is a game-changer for moms.
A couple of years ago, I too felt taking time for myself was impossible. Honestly it felt a little selfish. So I constantly put it in the “No” pile. I would tell myself things like;
“There isn’t enough time”
“I should be spending that time with my son”
“I could fit in 2 more hours of work”
Growing up in an Italian-American Catholic family, guilt was consistently served as a side dish when it came to making myself a priority. I was taught to put myself last. So, that’s exactly what I did. One day I was having lunch with my friend and business partner, Allie, at The Farmhouse Café in Creskill. She noticed that I seemed stressed and suggested I take some time for myself. I looked at her like she was nuts. “Allie, you know I don’t have any time for that”, I said sternly. She could see I was annoyed at her well-intentioned suggestion. Allie began gently probing about why I was so hesitant to take time for myself. As I opened up and began sharing, she helped me to see that it was time to let go of some of my guilt. By the time I finished an amazing grilled vegetable salad and some chamomile citrus tea I had realized that when I put everyone’s needs before my own, I was not only hurting myself, but it wasn’t serving my family either.
When I carve out time for myself, I not only feel relaxed and good, but I also show up calmer, more creative and energized for my family. I really do! If I label “me-time” as a gift to myself it gives me something to look forward to, and reminds me that I need to be taken care of too.
Right then and there I pulled out my phone and made an appointment to get my hair colored and cut by Kristen (a hair goddess) at Gloss Salon in Englewood. It was my first step in my journey of self care that felt empowering and important rather than guilty and ugly.
In spite of the busy holiday season, I challenge you to carve out some “Merry Mommy Me Time”. Whether it’s planning a girl’s night out (check out Craving Tapas Bistro in Ridgewood for some yummy eats), getting a mani-pedi at a local spa or visiting a local bookstore to browse and decompress, you deserve some time to yourself!
