Are you slowly burning out?

How often do you look after you? – Yes, the person reading this! – YOU!

Do you ever think about how you would like to spend your time?

Are you over scheduling yourself?

Is everything you do for others?

Do you spend any time alone?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to 3 of these questions – You need to make a change!

If you have answered ‘yes’ to all of these questions, drop what you're doing and make a change TODAY!

“But, I have no time” I hear you say. ”It’s not possible” I hear you say.

You have to make time. You have to make it possible. – Not just for yourself but for your family (i’ll explain in a minute)

Dare I say that the above may be excuses. Or could it be self sabotage?

Yes, it takes effort to schedule yourself in. Yes, it may mean saying no to someone, or (Lord forbid) cancelling a a scheduled commitment.

I use to hear myself making excuses all the time. ”I have no time” is a favourite of mine.

Be realistic with your self care, don’t set yourself up to fail. You want to make small changes that are manageable.

It may just mean locking the bathroom door and having a soak in the tub.

It may mean going for a walk by yourself.

It may mean sitting on the beach with a magazine.

It may mean sitting in the sun just thinking.

It may mean snuggling up in bed with a new book.

It may mean meditation. – You can download free or cheap aps I love this one.

All of the above I've listed take less then 25 minutes each.

Just once a week to begin with, it’s about reclaiming yourself and your time.

Take the time to schedule in YOU TIME. It may mean having a chat with your other half and working out times where you could take turns having “me time”.

It may mean taking turns with one of your friends, ie she picks the kids up from school one afternoon a week and vise versa.

It may mean grabbing a new movie for the kids and setting them up with blankies etc – That will buy you at least an hour (depending on age). There are ways – just put your thinking cap on.

You will not begin to imagine how invigorating it is and how much better you will feel.

Trust me, this is a new thing for me too and I know life can be extremely busy. But please do yourself a favour and do something for you. Believe it or not this too will have an impact on the entire family. I would like to share a story with you.

Just the other day, I felt really stressed, uptight and tired, so I ignored everything else and poured myself a nice warm bath and relaxed in it for about half an hour. A little while later I was in the kitchen and my daughter walked up to me and said. ”Mum can you light this candle. I want to relax and have a bath.”

What an amazing moment as a Mother, I thought well there you go, I’m role modelling self care to my daughter she is picking up on my self choices. This was a very proud moment for me. And it instilled in me the importance of my new choices.

Do you think you can commit to 25 minutes a week to look after you? – Just remember these small changes can have a HUGE impact on your life.

You don’t want burn out, or worse case scenario a break down – Who will look after the kids then?

About the Author

Kristy Vallely is the founder and Creator of the Imperfect Mum.

Kristy believed there needed to be a place that women could go to. Where they could talk and relate. A place they could feel safe. A place they trusted. So The Imperfect Mum was born in June 2011. There was obviously such a need that when the gates 'opened' a huge flurry of women followed. Kristy has always been very passionate about women and the issues they face.

Her passion and determination has helped her carve out a career helping others and creating 'a go to place' for women from all around the world.

Posted in:  Life Lessons, Self Care

14 Replies

Sarah

I really relate to this, Thank you so much! - So true

The Imperfect Mum

Thanks so much Sarah, I think a lot of people would relate to this post! X

Sarah Lawncaster

What a fantastic post. Thank you I'm sharing this with my community Keep up the good work Sarah x

The Imperfect Mum

Thanks Sarah- What's the name of your community I would love to follow! - Thanks Kristy xx

tasheena

I would LOVE some time to myself but it just never happens I have 3 under 3.5 and a partner that doesn't believe in recharging batteries. his moto is he works I do everything else I stay at home all day so I don't deserve a break. kind of getting to me

tasheena

but in saying that this is a great post !!!

The Imperfect Mum

Thank YOU XX

The Imperfect Mum

Take control now Tasheena, leave him with your 3.5 year old for a day and see what he says then.

Francine

This is something my Mum taught me by example when we were growing up. I am the 2nd of 4 kids, Mum has always taught us that part of being a good Mum is to make sure you get some time for you. This got even more important after she had her break down. Our house burned down when she was 3 months pregnant, she held all the grief & stress back so that she didn't risk my youngest brother's health (she fought hard to fall pregnant). Once she had him, she lost it completely. But she always took time out & recharged her batteries. My MIL did the same, this means that both Hubby & I understand the importance that we both get the chance to take our own time.

Francine

Actually I did this not long ago, sat on the beach for an hour, it was cold & windy so there was no one there.... complete bliss :)

The Imperfect Mum

Beautiful Thanks for sharing Francine. xx

The Imperfect Mum

Wow, how luck were you that your Mum taught you this. This makes me feel like the choices I make are for the sake of my children also. X

Fi @ My Mummy Daze

I have to constantly check-in with myself to make sure I'm looking after me. A bath and and early night or dinner out with a friend always helps to recharge my batteries! Fi xx

Chris Mooney

Brilliant, thanks for the inspiration and permission to look after myself. Warm bath here I come!