I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that life can be extremely hectic at times. The obligations that work bring, family time and frequent traveling between states can make it difficult to find a little “me time” in the midst of it all. Spending a little time alone to recharge and catch my breath is exactly what I need sometimes. Learning to be alone, and liking it, is something we can all benefit from, for both the mental and physical benefits.
Here are some of the bonuses you may get from squeezing in a little “me time” each week:
- When you’re worn down after a long day of work and come home to cook dinner and help the kids with homework before you’ve even had the chance to sit down, a little alone time can completely recharge you. Whether it’s yoga, meditation or a relaxing bath with some wine, allowing yourself to spend even 15 minutes focusing on your personal needs, will help you to feel more energized to jump back into the game.
- Your health will thank you. Too much stress and constantly being on the go can really take a lasting toll on your body and health. Taking some time out to relax and maybe even get some extra distraction free sleep is the best thing you can do for your immune system, and let’s be honest – your sanity.
- You might not realize it yet, but you’ll learn things about yourself that you wouldn’t have otherwise. Just like how you learn some of the best stuff about your best friend as quality time is spent together! Allowing for more time on your own, trying out some new hobbies and places to eat could possibly open you up to a whole new community of fun and adventure.
- You’ll become more independent. Do you ever notice how the more we’re around people, the more dependent we are on them? Spending more time being alone with ourselves and our thoughts, encourages us to become more independent and that is such an important quality to have – the ability to make ourselves happy.
When was the last time you took some time to be alone?
I can’t even remember. It is so sad. LOL. The stresses of raising family….doesn’t leave a whole lot of time for “me”. I need to do more of that. I give so much to my family…..that I usually forget about myself. 🙁
I feel like I never get down time I am so used to always running I forget about me. That’s why a once a month shopping day retail therapy is essential. Hahaha. Love you
Sometimes days/weeks go by that I have barely had a single moment of down time. With two small kids, and as a hard working entrepreneur it can be a challenge! Overall I have always been a person that needs alone time, and am better for it, so I try hard to maintain that as much as I can, when I can. Whether it’s taking a creative class, going for a hike, a long bath with wine, a night with my girlfriends, or simply reading a book, I NEED that and I think moms need to take care of themselves just to be the best mom and human we can! #TeamJenny
I can’t remember the last time I had actual time for myself and got to be completely alone.I live at home and take care of grandma and my uncle who has Down syndrome,so the only time I have for myself is bedtime.
My “me time” is my exercise time. I used to feel guilty about going out for a run, but now I know it makes me a better mom and wife. Not only am I being a healthy role model, but I am showing my children that I am a person and I am important too. Our children can become so self absorbed if we let them. Now if I get cranky they’ll ask me if I need to go run. ?
wow! This hits home! I don’t remember the last time I had “Me Time” single mom of 2! Life is filled with sports and on the goal non stop! But I’m going to start making me time!
me time? what’s that? even though all my kids are teenagers I still never get any me time its either the phone husband bellowing out something always!!! I can’t remember the last time I had time for me and me only!!!
Jenny, I wish more ladies took time for themselves! I used to be a firm believer that time for me was time wasted! A long journey later, I’ve learned that “me” time benefits not just myself, but everyone around me!
Last night I took an hour…just to read. Nothing fancy. Just quiet time!
It’s good for the mind, body and soul!
Thanks for sharing Jenny!
We definitely need to take me time. It makes us a better person all the way around!! Sometimes I forget to especially while raiding two kids and you can tell!! I hear by swear that I will make sure to take time to be alone and reflect on me!! Love you and thanks for the inspiring post!!
Great article! As I get older, it seems harder to get that all important “private” time as I call it!
Jenny you are a GoGetter…but Reading some of these comments I can’t help feeling that if you have time to read blogs you have” me time”
I’m older and tired of so many self absorbed people that are out there.
That being said I’m going to use some”me time” and focus on not becoming such a HATER
Just be nice and have some fun
Need to do that more,time for myself.Being a twin mom with a job it’s hard sometimes
Amen sister! I am up at 5am, home at 6pm. This leaves me 2.5 hours of an evening to spend with my kiddos, which includes dinner, homework and bath time. I absolutely feel like taking time during those few hours is not a possibility, as I wouldn’t trade that time with them for anything; however, there is no other time. I try to get 30 minutes at the gym in at lunch, and a workout or 2 over the weekend, but its just not enough, I am constantly stressed and deal with this DAILY! I am short tempered and just plain hostile at times and I know its because I need to regroup, but as the woman once said, I ain’t got time for that.
For some reason Jenny, I am thinking that at that exact time you snapped that picture, you were wishing you weren’t exactly alone!!!
I have just recently started the ME time in my weekly schedule. Although, I still feel guilty for not being productive during this scheduled time, I have to remind myself that if I’m not healthy, in a good mind space and overall happy.. then my family will not get the best ME that they can get. So FOR MY FAMILY, I have instituted a 1hr ME time every week. At first, it was just 10 minutes and I started to really enjoy the way it made me feel, so I’ve increased it. Every moment that a busy mother, wife, employee, volunteer, team mom can give herself some pampering time, the happier you will be. Don’t feel guilty.. you are a hard worker and you deserve to not have to be on the go-go-go all the time. Give yourself some ME time to not have to punch a clock or race against the clock. You’ve earned it MOMS! Rock it out!
Isn’t that what a partnership is for 50 50 I grew up in a big family so I have experience from school work and watching 4 sisters to brothers growing up so I’m looking for an equal partner imsingle.And the bubble bath picture very enticing Jenny for Donny to look at and maybe jump in?
Robert NY
Thank you Jenny. For the past year I have been by my self and I still find it difficult to fine “me time”. I am going to do it.
I am a single mom with a son who has autism. I live in poverty after selling my home and using that money to stay at home with my son and to educate myself about autism and how I can help him. I have met with other mothers who have autistic children. I want so much to help these families. I have read your book and was hoping you could help me help other families who might need some help. I try my best to educate people but I find that people turn their back on me….when they would listen and respect me when I had money….my voice falls now on deaf ears now that I am poor. Don’t get me wrong….I am not asking for any kind of financial support…..just maybe the assistance of someone like you that people would listen to… to help educate people about autism.
You are 100% correct and I wish more people would practice alone time. I have a very blessed life, I have chosen a childfree life but my fiends, husband, pets and family demand a lot of my time. I have spent the past 2 weekends, husband away, spending time alone just catching up on the DVR, taking my dog for long walks, sitting outside and having a beer and going to bed early and getting up early naturally, no alarm. I’ve had to send friends away, tell them I am spending time alone and thankfully, they respected it. It has been so rejuvenating that I’m going to do it again this weekend! Alone time is essential to a balanced life. Thanks for the blog!!!
When my children were babies, I used to feel so guilty if I took some time out for just me. Then after becoming so burned out, I realized that MY Mom was right when she told me how important it was to take some “me time”. Between being a stay at home Mom and an entepreneur, I have learned to carve out some time for ME, as life gets crazy! Last summer and this summer I’ve went to several concerts and didn’t feel guilty at all. And now school has begun, and I have a little more “me time”?