What Do You Do for Yourself?

I actually like to come to this website, I have learn so many things from here, laugh about some funny things some mom post and I feel good thinking that I may have help or make laugh somebody.
Now, if I could pick something outside home and I could afford it, I will love to go to a Spa.
Is funny, when I was younger the idea of the Spa was so boring, now is my best birthday gift ever!

Yes, get a hobby. And maybe an exercise class. Of course everyone will try and make you feel guilty for leaving them for a whole hour, but ignore them. I scrapbook (well, mostly I drink wine with girlfriends under the guise of scrapbooking). I exercise. When my husband or kids dare comment on any of it, I remind them: Ain't mama happy, ain't NOBODY happy.

.....well when I was younger and cute I slept around, now I'm old I just drink....HAHAHAHA, just kidding....I got into a lot of occupational hazard type things....became a gardening EXPERT, and fantastic COOK....interior designer, etc....it is what you make it honey, not to suggest I never had days like you're having today....on those days I just bitched to whatever sympathetic Mom who would listen.....don't fret TOO much, TOMORROW you'll go for it, do the gym, the job, the class you always wanted to take, to HELL with THEM! Just love the babies, 's all you can do, and have patience with their father, these things will make you the BIG man in the family!!

Here is a few things that I do, even if I have 1 hour to myself...
Pedicure!
Barnes&Noble, sit and read a few chapters of a fantasy love story, or an inspiring mothering book.
Bake! I make cupcakes and decorate them as if I own my own bakery, with details, and the whole nine yards. Then let myself and my husband and kids enjoy them just for no reason at all.
Get an ice cream sundae and sit at a park or in your car and listen to you favorite music.
Call your sister or friend and plan a night out after then kids are in bed. Hubby can stay home while you head to Fridays for an appetizer and a drink. Even if it's at 9pm. They're open and they have drinks!

I garden, but for me, i go get my nails done, and I catalog shop, I would not want to eave my family and go away, it's hard for me when they are away. But what you are feeling, most wife's and mom's feel, we get so busy taking care of everyone else we don't take time for ourselves. I also enjoy sewing and crafts, and doing projects around my home that are just mine. i hope this helps. J.

this might sound odd, but I honestly don't even want a girls night out or anything. I would miss my kids too much!
To get away from the daily grind type stuff... i take my daughters to do something fun! I love being with them, and watching them play, and doing things with them... I take them swimming (even in the winter at the local community college), we go to amusement parks (have a membership at one, and a friend got us into another for free twice!), go to the beach, the playground, etc. I even took the girls (by myself) on a vacation to VA beach back in April... we had SOOO much fun!

I let the housework go! In a few years, I'm not going to remember if there were dustballs under the bed, but I surely will remember all the fun i have with my girls. I usually end up doing a load of dishes and maybe 2 or 3 loads of wash every other day (where does it all come from?!!!), and I vacuum a couple times a week. And I clean the bathroom as often as I can... the rest i let go. :) Besides, if we aren't home to look at a mess, it doesn't bother me as much, plus we aren't there making it worse (because you know you can clean and 5 minutes later it looks like a tornado hit).

Anyway, i hope this helps!

Gee, sorry to tell you this, but I'm still waiting to do something for me. My life has been put on hold for the last 9 1/2 yrs since I had my kids. I figure that once my twins hit school here at the end of August, I may actually be able to go and do something sorta relaxing. Til then, I'm still rolling with the punches.

I have an evening out with friend/s maybe every other month , we get some food and watch a movie , or go out for drinks. As a more regular thing I go to the gym 2-3 times per week and put the kids in the childcare , this gives me around 2 hrs to myself. Also every now and then I have a pedicure done , not often but on average probably every 3 months or so. Other than that if I need anything at the store I often wait until hubby is home and then go so I can wander around all by myself for 30 mins.

Ditto...

You need to make it happen.... and if your other friends are busy, which is what other women/Moms are.... then you just do something by yourself.... I LOVE doing that!
And, tell your Husband... actually plug it into the calendar, and give him a head's up that you are having a "Me" time. Then go and do what you want.

I garden too and have projects around the house that is mine. As Julie L said. I do that too.
My kids are still young, I am a SAHM and my days are just like yours. But I don't get 'bored' or feel bland. I just do what I need too.... and I know what I like to do or not and know what my interests are.
That is key as well. KNOWING what your interests are.... then keeping it up.

all the best,
Susan

What do I do? I spend time with my sister. We do a couple of things. 1) crack open a few beers and play board games, IE: yahtzee, LIFE, Sorry! or cards, 2) drive around to local Farmers Markets, antique stores or junk stores, 3) hangout at a local Mexican restaurant (dropped off by the Hub) and drink ritas and talk til the cows come home!!!!
I always say..."everyone needs a good sister, dont have one? get yourself a really good girlfriend!!!'
BTW, NONE of these things require alot of money.....
M:)

Yoga. Great for body, mind and spirit. In a good class with the right instructor, you are encouraged to put all other things aside and take time for just you. I walk out a totally new person every time! Ready to go again!

Gym membership! Not only will you get an hour or so to yourself, the act of exercising will release endorphins (the feel-good chemicals in your brain) which may help your mood. Pack your headphones and listen to music that you like and it will lift your spirits.

Have you ever gone to dinner or a coffee shop by yourself? When I am feeling really stressed out and need to get away from everything, I will often go out to dinner or just to get dessert/coffee alone. I'll take a book or magazine and just spend some quiet time on my own and it feels very relaxing.

Try to set up a girls' weekend anyway. Kick the idea around with them, set a date, choose a destination, and make it happen. There might need to be some planning and it might be several months away but it will happen. Besides, the anticipation of the trip will bring excitement to your days and give you something to which you can look forward.

I know some people will say things like oh they're only little once and soon you won't get to spend every second of the day with them and boy you'll regret it...but trust me, I understand needing to have my OWN identity. There are days when, if I have to have my children up my butt for one more minute, I think I might lose it! Yes, you are a mother (and possibly a spouse/partner), but you are also a woman, a friend, and an individual who has her OWN needs that should be met. Please take this opportunity to take care of yourself, because doing so is a healthy thing.

Best wishes!

I take karate. I go 2-3 times a week and always leave class happy. I really enjoy it. It's something just for me, gives me good exercise and I'm learning a skill. My husband and I trade off nights. I do karate M,W nights and Saturday morning and he exercises T,TH nights and Sunday. It works well for us.

I think it's really important to carve out sometime for yourself each week. Try to set up a schedule where a certain day/time is yours each week. Take a class or just get out and do something. It will make you a much happier person. :)

I will be your friend, pick a date & location :)

i go to the spa at the casino and then i go to the casino and eat and play. if someone can go with me great if not OH WELL!! i learned real quick about me time! i refuse to let myself get burnt out. i do it because how can i effectively keep everyone in my house happy, sane, and not snap at them and i'm not happy? so if you can get the girls together (even if it's one day a month) do it! if not still take a day off for your self! we all deserve it whether you go to work or you are a SAHM! good luck

Running: I have a friend who runs 30 mins to an hour each day, she loves it but it did take her about 6 months to get really into and now she can not live without. I have tried it but not my thing with bad ankles but many do love it, I do walk about 30 mins to an hour a day sometimes with family or sometimes by myself.

Reading: I go to the library every other week and get a book or two... I like mysteries so I go to that section and find the "girly" colors/covers which usually mean a light read and usually mean easy for me to get into. I have gone through various series already. Sometimes I read a gardening, art history or deeper books but most of the time I like a light read that will just let me get away from the day for an hour or so.

Gardening (flowers & food): Another hobby, I have not gotten into it fully because we are tearing up the yard at the moment for other issues BUT this is something that I enjoy and gets me away from the daily grind. If you are not big into physical outside work this might not be your thing.

Hair cut: Every three - four months I get a hair cut and sometimes I tack on a pedi or manicure. Very relaxing for me and it is a true pamper self type thing but since it is costly only done around 3 times a year.

Message: This I wish I could do more but it is too costly for us. I usually get a message once or twice a year and it is heavenly.

Art: This is another outlet for me, I have an art background so I have set up a small art studio space in the corner of a room. I usually go there a few times a month and paint/draw for a few hours. Nothing much has come from it yet but it is relaxing for me.

Baths: These are the best for me... I grab my latest book, glass of wine or some other drink, light some candles and take a relaxing bath for 30 mins (sometimes an hour). It really restores me to a peaceful calm mind ready to tackle what needs to be done OR gets me in a lovey mood :)

I do want to join some work out class, just have not found the right fit for myself yet or something that fits into my busy schedule.

I am doing the danskin triathlon.. my goal is just to do my best and finish.. also been doing biking with my friend and swim clinics to prepare.. alot of fun and gets me out of the house.
L.