Mama, remember pre-pandemic when you dropped your kids off at school and you could go to the gym to work out alone? Or on a coffee date by yourself?
It was a whole other life.
Even if you and your partner are a great team, pandemic life has made it so hard to have quality alone time. We are around other people every minute of the day with very little opportunity to recharge.
This post is sponsored by Woods Coffee.
Pre-pandemic it was so much easier to take time for yourself because there were moments of alone time built into your daily routine. It wasn’t always a big deal. Sometimes it was the car ride from school to work, but you were alone, and those quiet moments made a big difference.
Alone time needs to be more intentional now, but it’s also so much more important. We need to take care of ourselves so we have the energy to keep taking care of others. The last month I have tried to make time for myself at least twice a week and it has made such a difference in my mood, my productivity, and my patience.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to take time to recharge.
- Get outside. The trail at Greenlake in Seattle is my favorite place to go, but there are so many great trails in the PNW. A walk in your neighborhood can help, too, but I recommend getting away and seeing something new. There’s something about breaking up your monotonous routine that is so good for the soul.
- Turn up the music. Running errands by yourself is not on this list. Though it is arguably a more calming activity when you’re by yourself, running errands is still a chore. However, I highly suggest that while you’re out, for errands or whatever other reason, turn up the music, mama! Need some worship music? Turn it up and sing out loud. Need to rock out and dance in your minivan? Turn. It. Up! Music is so good for the soul.
- Get dressed and ready to go (even if you’re not going anywhere). It might feel silly to put on real clothes and makeup if you’re not going anywhere, but I highly suggest doing it at least a couple times a week. I love a solid cozy outfit, too, but it just feels good to feel like my old self again. Some cute earrings, mascara and a cute outfit can give you the self-esteem boost you need to make it through this pandemic winter. (And if you really need some down time, get dressed up and do an at-home or salon mani/pedi.)
- Take yourself out for a coffee date. I’m a big fan of solo coffee dates, especially when they’re at Woods Coffee. An oat milk latte, a cozy chair, a fireplace, and people watching make for a perfect afternoon to recharge. (Bonus: Try this one with #1. Coffee and a walk are the best combo.)
- Do that thing you love. Work out, paint, go for a run, do the crossword, browse a bookstore. Whatever that thing is that makes you feel like yourself – take a few hours to do that. Your family can survive without you for a bit and you’ll all be better for it.
Mama, let me be the one to tell you: it’s ok to do something for yourself. And not just once a year. Make this a regular thing. I promise it will make you a better person and a more present mom.
How do you take time to recharge?
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I’m Hannah — a Seattle native and a mom to three spirited daughters. I love a good oat milk latte from Caffe Ladro, learning to skateboard with my 6-year-old, and exploring new parks with my best friend and partner, Matt. I’ve walked through hard seasons of divorce, single-parenting, and mental illness (in my kids and myself), but in the last couple years I’ve been redefining what it means for me to be a mom in my 30’s and how to find joy right here. (Hello, skateboard lessons and adult art class!) I didn’t expect much of anything about my life as it is now, but I’m learning to savor each moment. There is so much joy to be found here.
