The execution of Resolution #3......

Making resolutions is the easy part. Actually following through is a whole different thing. For resolution #3; a little "me" time, serious planning needs to be done. We put lots of things on calendars; kids activities, PTSO, church and community duties, service projects, etc. How many of us actually write something in the calendar that is just for us? If I have my sons soccer practice written down, I know that nothing can take that 4:45 slot. He needs to be there. I have to schedule around it. 


     "Me" time needs to be the same. We need to take a monthly calendar, look at each day and write down an activity just for ourself. We all have 24 hours in the day. If we are lucky; 6-8 hours of that will be sleep. Most of the other time is taken up with the basic motherly duties. There just has to be an hour in there that we can take for ourselves for some upkeep. I am on day 3 and so far, it has worked wonderfully. I am making sure that what I have written down is happening without interuption. You can bet that if you don't keep that one hour a day mandatory, someone will take it from you. If you have it on your calendar, in pen, you won't replace it with things that don't have more importance. Sometimes things will come up. But, most of the time, we just give that hour away. 


I have looked at my calendar and have written down one hour a day that I can work out. I have then added a little time at the end of the day for reading and maintenance. We owe it to ourselves to have a little keep up time. If we feel pretty, life has a much better outlook. Having freshly painted toes goes a long way! Taking time for a little self-done facial can do wonders as well. Nothing has to be expensive. We can workout at home and buy a $6 bottle of OPI nail polish. I think I am worth at least that much.


     Sometimes, if not all the time, getting that hour to ourselves means an hour before they all wake up. I can promise you, if you can get into that routine, you will be a much better mother for it. You have some peace and quiet before the demands are made. The day is never as smooth and peaceful if I wake up with them. Ever.


    Another important thing we need to do for ourselves is nourishing our bodies. Often we take great care to make sure our little ones are getting the right nutrition but let ourselves eat the scraps. We don't take the time to really feed our bodies what it needs. We wait until our bodies are screaming with deficiencies and then try to make up lost ground. Don't wait for a total meltdown of physical being to take care of yourself. Treat yourself to a great green smoothie right off the bat. Since we are usually running low on sleep and overstressed, our bodies need all the help it can get. I get so, so many emails from moms who are facing horrible health problems. Most of them are due to the fact that they simply didn't take care of themselves. That is easy to do when you feel like you have given it all away to everyone else. 


Sisters; by taking care of ourselves, we will be better wives and mothers. We will be happier. We will feel more confident and more confidence brings a better ability to serve and create friendships. 


Get your calendars out and take out a pen. Don't give your hour away. You have earned it. 


I drank my beautiful green smoothie today and am about to do a little P90x. My toes are freshly painted. The showers may not get cleaned today but no one is going to look at them anyways. Push aside the unnecessary. Let go of perfectionism. Seek balance. Include yourself on the scale.