Everyone is busy.
I hate to tell people I’m busy because we are all busy! We all live busy lives. We just choose to fill our lives differently. Am I busier than you? It really doesn’t matter.
Recently at a special Sunday evening meeting, one of our leaders, Elder Dallin H Oaks spoke on how challenging life can be and how we can get through our tough times cheerfully. He reminded me that “It is NOT required to run faster than we have strength.”
When overwhelmed, he counseled that we should pray to identify what is MOST important to do and what good things are not “necessary.”
I’m guilty of doing too much and feeling like everything is IMPORTANT. I’m getting better at letting some good things pass in order to do the best things for my family and myself.
For example, last semester these are things I was doing.
- Working full time as a Librarian Teacher
- Running 3 student leadership groups
- Tutoring part time after school 3 days a week
- Taking 2 online classes
- Running my Amare side business
- Then come home to do Mommy things for 7 kids ages 1 to 15. Which also includes swim lessons, water polo games, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, church activities and foster care stuff.
I was overwhelmed and stressed but somehow did it all because I committed to all of it. It took a good friend and co-worker to point out that I should seriously let somethings go. So I am. This coming school year I’ll be running two leadership groups instead of three. I will not tutor any more. I’m still taking two classes but they are more spaced out and one portfolio is already half way done.
I’m slowly getting a grip on my “busy” life but like most busy moms, I am often so so busy I don’t remember to take care of myself. I was recently reminded that if we don’t take care of ourselves how will we best take care of our children. I was also advised, when scheduling my week, make sure I schedule things for ME first. Make sure my cup is full before tending to the needs of everyone else.
When first being told to schedule time for ME, I honestly didn’t know what to do. It was seriously difficult to think of what I can do for myself! Here is a list of things I finally came up with to fill my daily cup. Some things seem simple but yet much needed to take care of ME.
- Take a shower!
- Read my scriptures
- Exercise
- Go out with friends
- Paint my toe nails
- Floss my teeth
- Crafting time alone or with friends
- Take care of my gut with Amare Fundamentals
- Go temple
- Read a book
- Photography
Doing things for ME, to make sure I’m physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy, hasn’t been an easy or quick change but I’m feeling the benefits of doing things to fill my daily cup. I’m more patient with my family and a lot happier. I’ve haven’t completely mastered ME time yet but I won’t forget again how important it is to take care of ME so I can be the best MOM & wife I can be.
What do you do to take care of yourself so that you can be the best person you can be? To be a better wife? To be a better mother?
I was a younger mom when I learned to schedule me time but years later life changed drastically when I had to help care for my mother and granddaughter. I had to learn to make time for myself all over again because circumstances changed and were so differen this time. That’s what life is, a continual round of changes and adjustments. As long as we can acknowledge this we will be okay; it’s still a struggle but we will be okay. I’m glad you are taking better care of yourself.
Thanks to your example I remember you taking time for yourself and that it is ok. I don’t know why it’s so hard to do so myself. Thank you for being a wonderful Mommy!
Always need ME time for sanity purposes!
Yes! I’m pretty sure my kids prefer a sane mother to an insane one! Lol
Being away from work really helps me. If I can find some quiet time in our kid fun household that is a bonus. My book, a drink, and quiet – ah, heaven!
Lol sometimes I have to hide in our bathroom to get some quiet time in our tiny house. Now that it’s summer the bathroom gets sooo hot! Where else can I hide? Lol
The only true and honest solution to being too busy…. is to not be busy. Prioritize and scale back. Amen!!
Prioritize and scale back. Well said.
I love this! I also had to do this for myself and make a morning routine that allowed me to have my time. It has made a huge difference!
Thank you. What do you do in your morning routine?
I think “busy” became the new cool thing to be until it just wasn’t anymore. I’ve finally learned to just say NO and not feel guilty about it anymore. I had way too many irons in the fire, and busy just wasn’t fun anymore. I no longer have FOMO (fear of missing out), and it’s awesome!
I need to get to your level of FOMO! Love it!
LOVE this!! I agree, I hate saying “I’m busy,” most times I’m straight up exhausted due to the “busy.” We all need to take some deep breaths and learn to slow down. My me time comes from binging Netflixs when I can =)
I love Netflix too but had to stop it till I get a better grip on my budget so I’ve taken to Free YouTube videos. I do look forward to Netflix again. 😊
ME time is crucial… and it’s not selfish. You take care of yourself so you can care for others. Great list of ideas!!
Thank you!
I just recently quit my PT office job so I could be at home for my tween more frequently and start my blog which is what I’ve always wanted to do. We gotta do things that make us happy. 🙂 Great article! Thx for the reminder and inspiration!
Sometimes we think our tweens and teens need us less but in actuality they need us more mentally and emotionally. Blogging can be so rewarding! Thank you for sharing your experience!
I’m not busy often, but do I say I am busy … often. 🙂 Sheesh! Loved this post!!
Lol yes busy is a funny word. We sure can get trapped in it. 😉
I’m on the same page. I make a calendar every week and I (almost) always have at least half a day for what I want. But there are a million things that try to barge in!
Right?! If we don’t value our ME time others won’t too and will try to take over that time. Challenging but we can do it! Thanks for sharing!
The older I get the more I realize that self-care comes first. I am in the process of “letting go” and “downsizing my energy expenditures as well. Difficult to do, but important.
I’m sure I can downsize more but sometimes baby steps is just what we move to get momentum in the right direction. Thank you for sharing your experience!
I have to make time for myself, otherwise I would not make it through the week LOL!
Good for you! Today I had to think, did I take time for myself last week? It’s a learning process for sure but I’m a happier mom when I do take time for me.
As moms its easy to push ourselves to the back burner. If we don’t take care of ourselves we can’t effectively take care of our family. Glad you are taking care of you!
Thank you!
I must agree ME time is super important. I learned this the hard way, and I’m glad that I find time for me so I can be my best self for my family. Crafting and painting my toenails are on my list of things to do for me! 🙂
What kind of crafting do you do?
I wish more mom’s would realize that ME time isn’t being selfish. It’s imperative to a healthy lifestyle that allows you to be the best mom you can be.
I think Moms naturally are givers and tend to give more than receive. Some of us are slower learners than others. 🤪
Really great tips! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!
I LOVE this! I made a “resolution” a few years ago to stop saying obligatory yeses. Basically, I have myself permission to say no to things unless it’s something I really want to do. It’s helped so much! Proud of you for being willing and able to let some of it go.
Thank you! Good for you too for learning early to say no. Saying no is not a bad thing at all.
I was the same when my kids were young. I am finally realizing I need me time and need to take care of me. I am glad you ae learning that sooner than I did.
Thank you! It’s still not easy but I need to be the best Mom for my family.
I was so over-busy at one point in my life too – doing so much I felt so overwhelmed. I ended up prioritizing a few things in my life and tossing a few off my plate and I am so much better now! I have to remember that I can only handle so much!
I’m so grateful you can relate. Thank you for sharing your experience! There are more moms like us than I think we realize. Give more than receive. ❤️
Great post! Me time is mandatory! It has definitely become easier as my boys have gotten older. I run to get my me time. I also scrapbook at least once a week. Each day I try and do something for me.
I used to love scrapbooking! I miss it but with all the kids I have I think I’ll have to pick up digital scrapbooking again. 😊
It is important to have your “ME” time no matter how busy you are. That’s the only to decompress. I know it’s easier than said and done. But finding balance and setting out your priorities is a must. For me, hiking is my way of “ME” time because the rest of the week , I’m corporate worker bee.
Oooh, I love hiking but I’m so out of shape 😝 To make it even more fun for me would be to find a hiking partner. 😊Thank you for sharing!
Great reminder to practice self-care. Thanks!
Thank you!
I love this! I have learned to scale down and prioritize my life. Still busy but manageable and enjoyable. Self-care is so important.
Thank you for sharing!
So true! It’s easy to get so busy and fail to care for ourselves. My favorite self care activities are to unplug from electronics, go for a walk along the river, watch a movie, read, garden or express creativity.
Your self care activities sound wonderful! All so relaxing. I especially love that you unplug! 😊 Thank you for sharing!!!
What a great article! I always preach that us parents need the “me” time to be the best versions of ourselves for our kids/spouses/family/friends. I too struggle with not doing for everyone else and keeping my plate full with a bunch of things that don’t really matter. It’s a process to try to let go.
Yes I have to remind myself all the time, did I take care of me today? Thank you so much for your comment.
Very true…
😆
Yes, we are all busy and do fill our time differently, but I believe we make time for what’s important. I remember the days wearing hundreds of hats raising 4 kiddos, teaching, and foster parenting. It is important to take care of oneself, so as you said, we can be the best person we can be. Without the selfcare, we’re not at our best. Great post!
Oh! Sounds like I can learn a lot from your experiences! Thanks for your comment!
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Thank you!!! Lots in my life has changed since the last time I wrote…I need to update and add more! 😄
The busiest time in my life was when my kids were small. Juggling it all is hard and stressful. I survived it and you will to. Self time is so important. Great job sharing.
Thank you. Thank you for sharing your experience! ❤️