17 Me Time Activities That are Perfect for Busy Moms

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of PEOPLE®, Real Simple®, and Southern Living®. The opinions and text are all mine.

Moms, I know you can relate. It is so hard to find “me time” isn’t it? I don’t know if you’re like me, but even when I do get alone time, I often feel guilty about it. Can you relate?

Well, I’m here to tell you that we DO deserve me time and we shouldn’t feel guilty about it! I know it’s hard to make the time for ourselves, but I’ve realized it actually makes me a better mom. When I feel overwhelmed, I’m not a great mom. I get easily upset with my kids (and husband) and then I feel bad for that too. It can feel like such an endless cycle of failure. The solution is “me time”.

Here are 17 me time activities that will help you regenerate and be ready for all the challenges that motherhood throws at us.

1. Read a Magazine

One of my absolute favorite ways to enjoy “me time” is to read magazines. Some of my favorites are PEOPLE, Real Simple, and Southern Living. This week when I was at Fry’s Food and Drug, I picked up PEOPLE Princess Diana: Twenty Years Later. I love England (my trip in May) and it intrigues me just how seriously they take the Royal family. I wanted to read more about Diana, so I opted for this magazine for some special “me time” this week to read on our road trip to California. Right now, you can save at Kroger and their banner stores by using this coupon. Make sure to check out the August issues of Real Simple and Southern Living right now.

2. Go to the movies alone

I’m not sure I’ve ever gone to the movies alone, but I think it’s about time I do! First of all, my hubby isn’t much for the movies, but I love them. Second, I haven’t seen a newly released movie in, I would say, at least 5 years. I’m adding this to my list of “me time” activities for the fall!

3. Free-Write in a Journal

When I’m stressed out, I tend to flop on the couch and zone out to a show. I miss the days of writing in a journal. I think I should learn something from my childhood. Whenever I was upset, I’d write about it. There is something just so therapeutic about writing. It doesn’t matter what you write, but it’s a great way to get things off your mind.

4. Treat Yourself to Lunch

Do you remember that Sex and the City episode where Carrie goes to a restaurant alone? Without any distractions? That takes guts I think. Don’t take your phone, don’t take a friend, just go, and enjoy yourself. I know it might be hard, but find a cute café and sit outside and enjoy the breeze and the people watching, and just breathe.

5. Take a Nap

I can’t think of something quite as relaxing as taking a nap. Recently, my husband and I were on a trip and we both just decided one afternoon to take a nap. I can’t even tell you how refreshed I felt after a short nap.

6. Buy Some Pretty Underwear

It might be a little thing, but having new undies just makes me feel special. The next time you’re at a department store, just swing by the intimates section and grab a cute pair.

7. Reconnect with a Friend

I know it might seem counterintuitive that “me time” would include someone else. But hear me out. If you haven’t talked to this person in a really long time, how special is it going to feel to reconnect? Just the other night, I saw some girlfriends I hadn’t seen in at least 2-3 years. We weren’t tight friends, more like acquaintances. However, I felt so invigorated after our conversation. It was just so nice to reconnect.

8. Make a Craft

If you’re at all into crafty things, spend a couple hours working on a craft, or break it up into a few special “me time” moments for yourself. I personally love going to Pinterest and searching for craft ideas. I also like to plan ahead and work that into some “me time”. I hope I can make my kids’ Halloween costumes this year, so I need to get started now (here’s the last time I made their costumes).

9. Go for a Drive

Whenever I need to clear my head, going for a drive is one way I can get clarity pretty quickly. Every now and then, I’ll just tell my husband I need some time, so I’ll head out for a drive. I like to go past the mountains in Phoenix. Somehow, visiting the mountains gives me a sense of calm, much like staring at the ocean.

10. Give yourself a Manicure or Pedicure

If I’ve had a tense day, I love to sit up in my bathroom, all alone, and give myself a manicure or pedicure. I’ve come up with a salon-quality manicure at home.

11. Try a New Recipe

If you like to bake or cook, trying a new recipe is a great “me time” activity. I personally love to bake, so trying out a new recipe is rejuvenating. If you don’t like to cook or bake, then try a new restaurant or food item instead!

12. Stretch or Do Yoga

I’ve been going to physical therapy lately for some health issues and I’ve turned stretching into some quality time alone. I know it might seem weird, but doing yoga or stretching is a great way to tune into your body, to take the time to check-in with yourself to see how you’re feeling. Stretching is also a great stress reliever.

13. Take a Long Bath

If you’re a bath person, then this might be at the top of your list. I do like taking baths, but I do find it hard to make the time for a long one. Maybe you can ask your hubby to take your kids to a movie, or wait until everyone is asleep so you can luxuriate for as long as you like.

14. Go for a Walk

Just like going for a drive, going for a walk is another way for me to release stress and clear my head. It doesn’t even need to be a long walk. Sometimes, I’ll just take a walk around the block by myself and I instantly feel more energized.

15. Buy Yourself Fresh Flowers

I know some people find fresh flowers a waste of money, but I don’t. Whenever there are fresh flowers in my house, I instantly feel happy when I see them. It’s a really small thing, but somehow seeing fresh flowers just brings me joy. If it brings you joy too, then you should get some for yourself!

16. Find a New Hobby

Have you tried painting or knitting or gardening? Why not take up a new hobby? It’s never too late to try something new. Think about something you’ve always wanted to do and use your “me time” to research it and get started!

17. Watch your Favorite Show

Probably my favorite way to unwind is still watching a show. Lately, I head up to bed 30 minutes early and watch a Netflix show on my phone. I just finished the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (hilarious) and I just started Friends from College (obsessed).

What’s your favorite “me time” activity? I hope you found these 17 “me time” activities for busy moms useful. What did I miss?

 

 

2 Comments

  1. Inspiring. I have a few more that I am going to write about in my blog soon. Thanks for the idea!!

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