OK mama, you’ve got 30 minutes to yourself. Maybe your baby is napping. Maybe your best friend came over to hold the baby for you. Maybe your partner strapped the baby in a carrier and went for a walk. You should be happy, excited, thrilled…right? I don’t know about you, but as a mother to an infant (heck, even now as a mom to a 2- and 4- year old), I feel paralyzed in this situation. I know I should be happy and grateful. And I feel immense pressure to make the most of this time. But that’s where I get stuck. What if I don’t make the most of this time? Will I squander it? What is the absolute, very best thing I could do right now? Before I know it, I’ve spent half my time either sitting somewhere, confused about to do next, or worse, mindlessly scrolling through Facebook and Instagram on my phone (which I just did while I was nursing the baby to sleep!). While I still haven’t completely figured out this conundrum, I’m getting better at it and want to share some of my ideas with you.
First and foremost is getting in the right mindset. When I know this precious alone time is coming, I use this mantra, “You are important. Invest in yourself.” Then I take a minute to tune in to how I’m feeling in that moment. Finally, I scroll through my mental list of the things that nurture and recharge me and choose one that fits my current mood. The key to this is in the planning. If you already have a list of ideas, you won’t spend the first half of your time figuring out what to do. As I write this post, I realize that I should probably just have a written list hanging in my house to make it even easier. (BONUS: I made a template and thought it would be nice to share it with you. If you’re on our mailing list, there’s a printable PDF in the most current newsletter. If you’re not, sign up here to receive it.) Each of us is different, and the things that help you feel centered, recharged, and ready to take on the rest of the day are unique to you. Maybe some of my favorites will work for you, and if not, at least inspire you to come up with your own.
11 Ways to Nurture Yourself in 30 Minutes
(Why 11? Because it’s been my lucky number since high school!)
1. Yoga: I have this Shiva Rae DVD and I like it because I can customize it to fit my mood and time limitations. I’m sure there are tons of good YouTube videos and even apps. I can’t emphasize enough what a difference it makes if I carve time out of my day to move. It’s an instant mood changer for me.
2. Go outside: If someone else is with the baby, take a walk. If you’re alone with baby, bring your monitor outside and work in your yard or just lounge in the fresh air.
3. Tackle a quick project: I’m continuously minimizing and trying to get rid of things we don’t need or love. Cleaning a closet or a couple of drawers energizes me. Whatever project you might have going on in your life, this is a great time to make a dent in it.
4. Reach out to a friend: It’s not always easy to chat on the phone with babies and small kids around. Pick up the phone and call a friend or loved one and enjoy uninterrupted time to catch up with them.
5. Send some mail: Writing a nice note and putting together a small, simple package for a friend or family member brings me great joy. It helps me tap into my creativity and also encourages somebody else at the same time.
6. Put on some music or a podcast and clean: I really do like to clean (sometimes) and one of my favorite feelings is being in a space that I’ve just cleaned. Listening to my favorite music or podcast makes it even better.
7. Netflix: Sometimes I just want to relax and watch an episode of my current favorite show. Do it, and don’t feel guilty!
8. Get lost in a book: Whether it’s a great story or a non-fiction book on whatever I’m currently interested in, I never regret spending some time with a good book.
9. Coffee/tea break: Make yourself your favorite indulgent coffee or tea drink. You can take a little extra time to use the French Press or add some special ingredients. Then sit with it and enjoy the solitude.
10. Journal: There is probably so much happening in your head and your heart as you live through this transition to life with a baby. I find that writing down my thoughts and feelings helps me reflect and it honors where I am in my journey.
11. Sleep: Let’s face it. Sometimes it’s hard to shut it down and sleep during the day. But there are certain times when my body is absolutely ready for sleep and I try to take advantage of that and close my eyes for a while. If it’s a short nap, I usually wake up feeling rested and recharged.
It’s not easy to take time for ourselves. When I became a mom, I forgot what to do for a while when I was alone. I am still working on committing to this fully, but I’m encouraged as each time I focus on recharging myself, I am happier and more present with my children.