One Powerful Step to Carve Out Me-Time Without the Guilt
Do you feel frustrated and overwhelmed with the endless advice on how to carve out me-time without the guilt?
Don’t worry! I've got you.
There’s one powerful thing that has made all the difference in my journey.
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The Importance of Focusing on One Key Strategy to Create “Me-Time” Without the Guilt
There’s a ton of advice on self-care for moms (heck, I even created a whole blog post on self-care myself) on the internet. The internet is pretty oversaturated with content on self-care and many of us can’t help but roll our eyes when people don’t talk about it correctly.
Bubble baths and doing our nails can’t fix all of our struggles.
Navigating this sea of advice on self-care for moms can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Everyone seems to have their take on how to carve out me-time and still make time to be present for your little one.
But here's the truth: trying to follow every piece of advice can leave us feeling more overwhelmed and guilty than before.
That's why I'm here to advocate for the power of focusing on one key strategy.
Guilt is a common burden in moms. Grab my Letting Go of Mom Guilt Journal and learn how you can prevent this emotion from guiding your decisions. Sign up below:
The Groundbreaking 'One Thing' to Achieve Me-Time Without the Guilt
So, what's this one thing, you ask?
It's simple yet profound: make a mindset shift. Yes, that's right!
Shifting your mindset around self-care and guilt can revolutionize the way you prioritize your well-being.
Instead of viewing me-time as selfish or indulgent, start seeing it as an essential ingredient for being the best mom you can be.
You cannot take care of your family until you take care of yourself. Repeat that 3 times in front of a mirror.
Here's how to create this mindset shift:
Reframe Guilt
Understand that taking care of yourself isn't a luxury; it's a necessity.
You can't pour from an empty cup, so prioritize filling yours first.
What’s the situation that makes you feel guilty? What thought pops up in this situation? This thought creates guilt. What do you physically do as a result of this guilt? What result does this get you?
If you want a different result, it’s time to challenge your thoughts by creating a new one that doesn’t make you feel guilty.
When reframing guilt, it’s also important to examine whether there’s enough evidence to support the thought that creates your guilt to begin with. Often, there isn’t.
If there’s evidence that shows you should feel guilty for something, check out my most recent blog post which includes FAQs about mom guilt and how to handle your guilt when it’s “real.”
Embrace the Messiness of Motherhood
Let go of unrealistic expectations and perfectionism.
When you look at your expectations, can you honestly make the claim that you can perfectly balance all of your responsibilities? Likely not.
There will be seasons in your life where you have to tip the scales and prioritize one part of your life over another.
Maybe there will be days when you can only spend 10 minutes with your kid. On other days, you might be able to spend the whole day with them.
You can’t get a perfect balance but you can find a routine and schedule that works for you without hindering your relationship with your baby and without sacrificing your me-time.
You have to be OK with being imperfect and “good enough.”
Embrace imperfection and celebrate small victories, even if it's just five minutes of uninterrupted me-time without the guilt nagging at you.
Set Boundaries and Ask for Help
Setting boundaries takes resilience, courage, and willingness to feel vulnerable.
It’s hard and you’ll keep telling yourself that you don’t deserve your me-time because you signed up to be a mom and your partner works so hard and whatever other story you tell yourself about your worth.
The thing is you just have to do it. Tell your partner that you’re going out with your friend for a few hours and say it with your full chest.
When you do this, remind yourself that going out with your friends or doing things that nourish your soul doesn’t mean you’re guilty and need to serve a sentence.
Your time is precious, so spend it wisely. To do this, you need to communicate boundaries.
Need more support with mom guilt and the struggles of motherhood? Check out these blog posts:
BEFORE YOU TACKLE MOM GUILT ALONE, READ THIS
MY JOURNEY: THE TRANSFORMATION OF LETTING GO OF MOM GUILT
HOW TO RECOGNIZE YOUR WORTH IN MOTHERHOOD
THE ULTIMATE CHECKLIST FOR SELF-CARE DURING MOTHERHOOD
Create Your Self-Care Plan and Execute it With Full Belief
This step is simple. When you look at your calendar for the week, where can you block at least a few hours of alone time? It can be one block or multiple blocks - whatever works for you.
I would pick three activities that are your non-negotiables. Meaning, these are activities you will get done every week no matter what (within reason of course).
The planning part is fun and easy. But after this, you need to believe that it's worth your time to do these activities.
Without belief, you will find it hard to execute your plan.
If you don't know where to start with tackling your limiting beliefs, write down all the thoughts you have about yourself. Pick one thought and see if there's enough evidence to support it.
You'll probably find that there isn't a lot of evidence that supports that belief, which will make it easier to pick a new belief. For example, "I spend a lot of time with my family, it's OK for me to want this time to myself. No one will get hurt. Everyone will be fine."
If you need more help with this, don't forget to grab my Letting Go of Mom Guilt Journal.
How the 'One Thing' That Helped Me Get Me-Time Without Guilt Worked Wonders for Me
I'll be honest; embracing this mindset shift wasn't easy for me at first.
As a first-time mom, I felt guilty every time I took a moment for myself.
But slowly, I began to realize that by neglecting my needs, I was doing a disservice to myself and my family. So, I decided to make a change.
By prioritizing self-care guilt-free, I've noticed a remarkable transformation in myself.
I'm more patient, present, and energized to tackle the demands of motherhood.
And the best part? My little one benefits too, as they get to see a happier and healthier version of their mom.
Now you know my secret to achieving guilt-free me-time. It's time to put this strategy to work and see how it can turn your aspirations into reality.
Need guidance on your journey to guilt-free me-time? My 'Letting Go of Mom Guilt Journal,' offers journal prompts and tips to help you do that. Download it for free by signing up here:
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