5 easy ways to enjoy me time at home

5 easy ways to enjoy me time at home

Ahh the elusive ‘me time’, something all us parents crave but rarely get the opportunity to enjoy. Being a mum to an almost 3 year old I am always searching for a spare 5 (or 10) minutes I can grab for myself, away from the toddler chaos and all the other demands of the stay at home parent life.

In reality, I feel like I need more than 10 minutes. I feel like a whole week at a spa retreat, doing yoga and having daily massages would just about give me the energy boost I seriously need after 3 years of parenting. Unfortunately, with a family and house to look after and with barely enough money to fund a weekend of camping in a field, a week at a spa just isn’t feasible right now.

If you are in the same situation as me then fear not, yes a week of relaxing bliss may be out of the question but there are still ways you can grab some precious me time at home. Here are some examples of how you can unwind and relax after a hectic day of changing nappies, chasing toddlers around, washing 50 loads of clothes, cleaning the floor under the high chair, toddler group hell..do I need to go on?Me time

5 easy ways to enjoy me time at home.

READ
I don’t mean read a book about parenting or that latest article about vaccinations your mum friend told you to check out. I certainly don’t mean that pile of school newsletters that have been weighing down your child’s rucksack for the past week or that really boring form that needs filling in. If you really want to unwind, pick up that neglected paper back from your bedside table and immerse yourself in some fiction for a couple of hours. Maybe books aren’t your thing, sit and enjoy your favourite magazine (not one that includes stickers and counting activities!) or catch up with some of your favourite bloggers instead. There is nothing like getting lost in someone else’s words and letting the hardships of the day just slip away.

GO ONLINE
Make the most of your baby napping or those quiet few hours at the end of the day when the kids are in bed and grab the laptop and get online. Trips to the shops may be a nightmare these days but why not relax with some online retail therapy? If you used to spend your pre baby evenings out playing bingo then with websites like Game Village, you can still enjoy it. You could head on over to Twitter and catch up with your online friends or, if like me, you like to blog then you could spend some time writing in the evenings. Or you could just spend 10 minutes playing on Candy Crush or whatever online game everyone is battling an addiction with these days.

While it’s great to get online, you’re just going to want to be careful about how long you’re online while you indulge in “Me Time.” You’re going to have to remember what causes social media addiction. It’s mostly caused by that need to get online, that little dopamine rush that comes from a notification or attention. However, it’s not only going to make you want to be on your phone longer than you should; you may even get to the point where you’re going to be more inclined to compare yourself. In general, just try to be careful and not be online for too long, as it could potentially affect your mental health.

BUBBLE BATH
To have the most relaxing bath and for it to really feel like me time, make sure you do it when the kids are well and truly asleep, or when their other parent is watching them. This will stop any fully clothed bath invaders spoiling your peaceful soak, also remove all kids bath toys from the tub before filling it. After a long day of looking after a little one the last thing you want is a singing boat bursting into life while you are trying to unwind. I find baths are best when full of gorgeous smelling bubbles, complimented with a few scented candles, some good reading material and a little bowl of chocolate on the side – wine also makes a great bath time companion too.

ENJOY A HOBBY
Whether you love to paint, bake, crochet or play an instrument, don’t let being a parent stop you embracing your hobbies. I love knitting, it can be hard to find the time when Leo is awake (unwinding the ball of yarn is a great game, apparently), so in the evenings where I am not blogging I spend a few hours click clicking away. Even if the kids are awake you can get them involved in your hobby without it interrupting with your me time, you just need to relax about it. If you want to bake a cake, let your little one mess around with a separate bowl of dry ingredients and a spoon. If you want to spend some time doing your grown up colouring in, chuck your child some felt tips and some paper and let them create their own masterpiece.

WATCH A FILM
Get cosy on the sofa and watch something you actually want to see. With no toddlers demanding Peppa Pig on repeat or a really awful kids film, once your little one is all snug in bed stick on something you have been dying to see; it could be something new, a film a friend has recommended or one of your old favourites. If your other half is complaining then tell them to entertain themselves doing something else or compromise that they can choose next time, don’t let anyone spoil your me time. Very much like a relaxing bath, a chilled out evening with a film is best enjoyed with snacks and wine (or tea if you’re pregnant like me!).

You see, me time doesn’t have to mean an expensive trip out of the house. Although I wouldn’t say no to a day of shopping, a spa break or getting my hair done at the salon (wouldn’t that be amazing?!) , I am quite happy spending some time at home relaxing. Me time is so important, not just for parents but for everyone, making time for yourself to relax and rejuvenate really is important to boost your energy and make you happy.

What do you like to do to unwind after a busy day? Do you get to enjoy me time often or are you regularly found desperately trying to grab 5 minutes you can have all to yourself? I would love to know.

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20 Comments

  1. July 29, 2016 / 11:57 pm

    I love so many of these past times for me time, I love a good movie especially at Xmas with all the really bad Xmas movies. I love a contemporary romance book and have many book boyfriends. I also have a few hobbies that I turn to writing, crafting, baking and me new favourite blogging #picknmix
    Charlotte recently posted…Cinema daysMy Profile

  2. July 31, 2016 / 3:32 am

    Reading a book during my free time is definitely one of my favorite things to do! I recently went on vacation and read three whole books in a week. I got really lucky that we went with a big group of family and had lots of help with my little bear. Catching up with a TV show on Netflix is also pretty high on my list as well. These are some great ideas thanks for sharing. #PicknMix
    Sarah@teammomlife recently posted…A trip to the ArboretumMy Profile

  3. July 31, 2016 / 8:49 am

    I like to pick up a real book – I have a kindle app on my phone and often read on itnfoemconvenience but it’s more of a treat to pick up an actual book. #kcacols

  4. Claire
    July 31, 2016 / 11:00 am

    Great post! I feel torn between needing a week to recover and the thought of being without my baby for a week filling me with dread! Baby wins though. I’d miss him far too much 🙂

  5. July 31, 2016 / 12:27 pm

    Perfect free ideas for me time. I enjoy a bubble bath, reading and blogging as my me time. Hope you get to enjoy some me time this weekend.
    Amanda. #kcacols

  6. July 31, 2016 / 8:28 pm

    I love having me time. I have quite an independent little one so I get the opportunity to sit and read a magazine whilst she’s engrossed in her play, and she will watch a good old Disney film from time to time too. But you simply can’t beat a nice hot bath with Netflix on the iPad after the house is clean and the toddler is in bed #kcacol
    Lex recently posted…B’s 18 month update.My Profile

  7. Bronwyn Marcus
    August 1, 2016 / 10:53 am

    I just wrote a blog post, “motherhood without guilt” I also touched on having me time…it is so important to sometimes put yourself first.

  8. August 1, 2016 / 2:11 pm

    Me time is so important! I always try (though don’t always succeed) to make time to read and run, as it makes such a difference when I do. Thanks for this list. #KCACOLS

  9. August 1, 2016 / 11:02 pm

    It’s so important to find time for yourself! I love all of these but I so rarely find time to do them these days. Thanks so much for linking with #KCACOLS. We do hope you come back next week.

  10. Rebecca Taylor
    August 2, 2016 / 1:28 pm

    Thank you for sharing. Me time is SO important. These are great ideas. I have to say, blogging and reading blogs is my me time! #KCACOLS

  11. August 3, 2016 / 11:07 pm

    I love me time. Blogging Netflix and wasting time on the internet is how I relax #KCACOLS

  12. August 4, 2016 / 10:59 pm

    I used to love reading but find it hard to find the time now. I enjoy watching to series on Netflix and Amazon or a film as a way of having some time, Thanks for linking to #picknmix
    Mummy and monkeys recently posted…My Silent Sunday PhotoMy Profile

  13. Coral
    August 4, 2016 / 11:07 pm

    I love all of these! I read a book on holiday for the first time in approx 4 years and absolutely loved it. Definitely want to try and keep reading now I’m back! #thelist

  14. Janet
    August 6, 2016 / 12:20 am

    ME time is so important. I love a bubble bath and a good read of a book. I like watching films though. For the past week, we have watched a Harry Potter movie per night, once the little one is in bed. It’s not ME time exactly but everyone stays quiet and watches. I also sometimes give myself a home-made facial and generally pamper myself – a bubble bath with my Yankee candle burning away. I love to read other people’s blogs and also note down ideas for my own. I also find writing creatively – a short story or poem, helps me to unwind too!
    Janet recently posted…Craft ideas: Making a hobby-horseMy Profile

  15. Janet
    August 6, 2016 / 12:20 am

    ME time is so important. I love a bubble bath and a good read of a book. I like watching films though. For the past week, we have watched a Harry Potter movie per night, once the little one is in bed. It’s not ME time exactly but everyone stays quiet and watches. I also sometimes give myself a home-made facial and generally pamper myself – a bubble bath with my Yankee candle burning away. I love to read other people’s blogs and also note down ideas for my own. I also find writing creatively – a short story or poem, helps me to unwind too! Great post! #AnythingGoes Janet
    Janet recently posted…Craft ideas: Making a hobby-horseMy Profile