Day 129: What is this so called "me" time thing?
When I went back to work, I figured that it would take a while to figure out routines and that I would fall back into having some “me” time. However, this really has not happened as I’m closely approaching being back to work for a month.
I’m constantly feeling pulled in all sorts of directions. At home. At work.
My solace during the day is when I pump. I close doors, tune everything out, and sit for 15 minutes alone, with just the sounds of my pump humming in my ear. Sometimes I even close my eyes out of sheer exhaustion. I get to do this twice a day. (I’ve started thinking about weening soon since I’m not pumping a whole bunch, but really, I’m clinging to this quiet time I have during the day.)
Once I get home from work, it’s go time. Washing bottles. Doing dishes. Making dinner. (And all these things are done with help from the hubs.) Hang out with Abby. Feed Abby. Feed myself. Get things ready for daycare. Make my lunch. Do some grading and/or curriculum planning…if time and/or my brain allows, which is few and far between these days. Bath time. Nursing to sleep time. And then it’s 9pm and I’ve got to figure out how to get myself to sleep at a decent hour b/c go time begins again at 6am.
One place where I have been able to find some “me” time is my nightly shower. It’s great to not have so many time constraints on taking a shower…like if I took one in the morning, it would be more about rushing and making sure the hubs and I can both get one in while balancing getting Abby ready in the morning. And I sometimes even close my eyes here and just relish in the comforts of a long hot shower.
The weekends are for family time. I love family time. I love getting up to nurse Abby in the morning and then bringing her into our bed and playing and smiling and giggling with her. Sometimes she will even pass out and we get another 30 minutes of sleep time before getting up for the day. But then the chores start…doing laundry…going grocery shopping…running errands…meal planning for the week.
I guess you could say blogging is my “me” time. And it is, but it’s a different kind of “me” time than I’ve been used to in the past.
What this boils down to is that the type of “me” time I’ve had in the past is no longer. Perhaps one day I will find it again. Perhaps I will find new “me” time endeavors. And don’t get me wrong, I have some moments of “me” time, they just seem to be few and far in between these days.
But really, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love the little family I have created. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Oh, and check out the Coddlelife giveaway…I added another way to enter.
7 Comments to “Day 129: What is this so called "me" time thing?”
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You are doing such an awesome job of balancing everything! It is a huge task that is not easy. I hope things continue to fall into place for you!
You are very right that “me” time is different as a working mom. Don’t try to compare your old life to your new because you WILL find a new me time that you enjoy and on some days look forward to with great anticipation. Keep going, you are doing really great
Hello, Preacher I’m your choir! Me time is SO hard!!! I think you’re doing an amazing job getting everything sorted out!!
I understand. I get me time during naps – but of course I’m constantly on edge because any moment she could decide to wake up. Not very relaxing.
I can’t imagine your busy weeks. Would your hubby take Abby to go do grocery shopping if you made a list the night before? Then he might be gone for an hour or so and you could relax. Sam does that for me on his days off.
Me time can be very hard to work in. Something I really slack on the chores just so I can do something for myself. Sounds like you are doing a great job. Maybe you and your hubby could make a schedule so each of you get good quality “me time” a few times a week.
This is a topic that has come up a lot in my circle of friends recently. The balance.
Sounds like you are doing a great job with everything! Keep it up!
You are doing WONDERFULLY for just being back at work.
& you’re right – “me” time does change. Blogging is “me” time even though it’s also a business for me. Showering is “me” time instead of hygiene – so I take longer, hotter showers & use only my favorite soaps to make it extra-awesome.
It sounds cheesy, but it’s the only way I have found so far to make things balance.
Granted, I suck at keeping my life in line so I have no business trying to hand out ass-vice.