As mothers we want what’s best for our children and may feel guilty when we think of taking time for ourselves. This may leave us burned out, with little to give.
I tell my clients to carve out some quiet time every day. They roll their eyes saying they don’t have even one minute to spare. That may be true.
You look at your long list of tasks each morning intending to get everything done. By the time dinner is being cleared off the table, you’re ready to fall into bed exhausted even though there may be tasks undone. You either push past your exhaustion to do them or add them to tomorrow’s list.
I remember feeling as if I was on a merry-go-round and didn’t know how to get off.
What I found was that I needed to put gas in my engine before trying to put any into others. Do we drive our car until it’s empty of gas and then insist it continue to run?
Why would we do that to ourselves?
We must take time to refuel. Take time for appreciation, for pondering or meditation. Time for just US.
If you need to fuel your tank I suggest the following:
- Decide where you can carve out 20 minutes a day for quiet time. This can be any time of day that suits you. For me it’s first thing in the morning before the phone starts ringing.
- Create a place for yourself in your home where you are comfortable,relaxed and can go for your quiet time.
- Make a commitment to yourself that you will keep that time as sacred. Forget about chores and don’t take phone calls.
- Explain to your children or spouse about your quiet and ask them to honor it by not interrupting you. If you have babies, you could schedule the time while they nap or when someone else is home to care for them.
- What you do during your quiet time is not as important as the fact that it nourishes you. You could write in a journal, or meditate. You may chose to read a novel or magazine. If you’re artistic, you might draw or paint. Or, you can just sit and enjoy the beauty around you. Give yourself a mental break from the responsibilities in your life so that you can refuel your ta
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