|
Finding
“Me” Time
Ah, to find a couple of spare moments in the
life of a busy working mom. A moment or
two to something that I want to do, like reading or crocheting while watching
TV. But how do you find that precious
time? How can you squeeze out free time
that is just for you?
I work full time at home as a writer,
referee kids during lunch and after school, manage to throw in a few loads of
laundry, vacuum or whatever (my husband doesn’t help around the house). After the girls go to bed, I usually try to
finish the odd jobs or just pick up ‘litter’ (clothes etc) from around the
house. I try and relax for a few
minutes either by reading or crocheting and watching TV and of course my spouse
wants me to spend time with him. Well,
there just aren’t enough hours in the day to find time for yourself anymore.
I think there is a new disease among
working women (ok, maybe it’s not new at all – its just that we are a new
generation with new challenges). But I
have noticed in ladies that I talk to and read about seem to be all suffering
from this problem as well. You have
probably guessed already what I am going to say. The epidemic is that a) we need to take care of everyone else
first; b) no one else can do as good of job as us and c) and we feel guilty
when we do manage to squeeze in time for ourselves.
Most of us spent our early girlhood years
watching our mothers do the very same thing, yet less of them had full time
careers and kids were less busy than they are now. Times have changed; shouldn’t our way of viewing our life change
too?
If you are in a relationship or have kids,
you make time to spend time with the people that you care about – what about
making time or a date to spend with yourself? Set boundaries, learn how to say ‘no’. Don’t worry about how neat and tidy your
house is. What you really need to worry
about is getting burnt out and what good will you be to your work or loved ones
then?
I guess what I am saying is in the course
of a busy day, it’s ok to look out for number one, then take care of everyone
else after. You will not only be healthier
and happier, but your co-workers and loved ones will thank you as well!
|
