I had my annual doctor’s appointment; you know the one where you flash your hoo-ha to a total stranger? Maybe your doc isn’t a total stranger but you know what I mean. Someone else other than your spouse is going down there.
No matter how many times I’ve been examined, it’s still uncomfortable. I always talk through the exam and make jokes to get through the awkward hour.
But I digress…
After my appointment I had a little time to myself before I had to pick up Pinky for a sewing class. I’m talking about a good 2 hours of ME time. As much as I’ve been dreaming about this time to myself, I admit I was unprepared for it.
My mind began to race trying to figure out what I should do first. Since I was hungry I knew I needed to eat. I drove out of the parking lot with the warm sun beating on my left arm. All I wanted to do was enjoy a good cup of coffee and a nice breakfast, hold the interruptions, at a quaint café with a beautiful view.
I settled for the closest Starbucks in site. It was on a busy street near the freeway.
You take what you can get when you’re desperate and crunched for time.
I decided to just hang out at Starbucks for times sake. I indulged in my favorite seasonal drink – pumpkin spice latte – and a sausage breakfast sandwich. I thought about running some errands or getting the car serviced, but I didn’t have enough time for that.
Thank goodness I always lug my laptop and Passion Planner around. I definitely had some things to do.
But I was still curious.
What would I do next time I had a few glorious hours to spend by myself? Naturally I went to Facebook and asked my friends what they would do if they didn’t have their kids hanging on their legs or the side or their hips for a few hours.
As expected, I got a lot of great feedback so I decided to make a list just in case you, or I, ever find ourselves in this ideal predicament again.
Feel free to print it out here and keep it handy for those rare moments of peace and quiet. Nothing fancy, just a list. Fold it up and place it in your car or purse.
Tips for Successful ME Time for Moms
Before I go right into the list. I wanted to share a few things you might want to consider…it possible.
- Plan ahead as much as possible
- Take a look at this list before you know you’ll have some time to yourself
- Pick something you haven’t done in a while and go for it
- Make plans based the location you’ll be in
- Make sure you have some cash flow
- Have FUN!
Without further adieu here is “the list.”
21 Things to do when You Don’t Have Kids with You
1. Have a coffee break
2. Run one errand
3. Indulge in a meal or dessert that you don’t like sharing – Tip from Rose, Eating Simply With Family
4. Go for walk, run or ride a bike
5. Write in a journal or write a letter
6. Clean your car or house
7. Beautify yourself – get a mani/pedi, thread your eyebrows, get waxed or get your hair did, take a shower!
8. Shop for yourself
9. Catch up on emails
10. Read a book or watch a movie
11. Phone a friend you’ve been missing
12. Surprise your spouse at work
13. Go Christmas shopping – you can do this during any time of the year
14. Plan for the next day or week
15. Take a nap
16. Paint
17. Pray or meditate
18. Pick up an old hobby – scrap booking, photography, surfing
19. Take a class – cooking, fitness, craft
20. Take your sweet time
21. Go to a place you’d normally go with the kids, but wouldn’t mind enjoying solo – museum, amusement park
What do you like do when you have time to yourself, expected or unexpected?!
First…embarassingly…I love your theme 🙂 Great minds have great taste I guess. I definitely don’t plan ahead for my free time – probably because I just assume I’m going to have housework to do and not actually allow the ME time to occur. I should just make an ongoing list and check things. I think I did that once before and it got too long to manage haha. I also just want to say that your site is quite inspiring…you have been at this for so long! I would love to pick your bran on FB on the group page or something on how you have maintained content for so long! Anyway, sharing this!! Good ideas!
LOL! No worries, Blaire. You know I was thinking the same thing when I went to your blog! I guess I just forgot to mention it. I love this theme, even better than some of the paid one’s I’ve had in the past. I feel you on planning ahead, that’s why I created this list. It was so mind boggling to realize I didn’t know what to do with myself after all week I’ve been complaining that I need some time to myself. How ironic. Anyway, I’d be happy to chat with you. It’s been an interesting journey. Looking forward to meeting you. And thanks for stopping by.
Love this Angela! I always remember you as such a sweet friend of mine from high school and I sooooo love following your Mom experiences through social media! You are such an inspiration! It isn’t the easiest being a Mom (full-time or working mom), and we all definitely need that “Me” time. Even if it’s just a for a little while. On the weekends my husband actually helps takes care of “morning duties” which gives me that “Me” time that I use to take a nice longer and “real” shower (because we all know how difficult at times it can be to take one with kids), do a few neglected chores, or just sit, breathe, and relax. But really, what a “real” shower can do! Haha. My husband and I have also worked it out that on football Sundays, he stays with our kids and let’s me get out to run errands or just go shopping. 😊 I love my kids and wouldn’t have it any other way to be a SAHM to them, but it also can’t be done without that “Me” time, even if it’s just for a little bit.
Hey Denise! Thank you so much. I first started reading your comment in public, I think at my daughter’s school. I had to stop reading because I started to tear up. I truly appreciate the thought you put into this. It means so much that you remember me the way you do. As we get older we begin to wonder if we left a positive impact on people’s lives. Friendships and comments like yours is what fuels me to keep sharing. And girl, I feel you on that shower. I need to write a post about that, haha! Thank you and I hope to see you soon.