As I’ve said before, getting totally away from everyone does something special for my soul. It just isn’t always manageable. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I was alone and not running errands. And as I like to remind my hubby, running errands doesn’t count.
If you promise not to tell him, though, it kind of does count. It’s all about perspective. Listening to the radio blasting and walking through a grocery store with no one asking for anything… definitely refreshing.
And we all need a little refreshment now and then. Which we can’t always get away to get.
What’s a mom to do? Little Escapes! I have become quite adept at sneaking in little amounts of time to do something that’s not on my to-do list and have a little break.
Are there little windows in your day where you could squeeze in a fifteen minute break? Just think of what you could do!
15 Min. Escapes:
If you’re worried about losing track of time, just set a timer.Of course, since you’re the mommy at home, no break is likely to ever be uninterrupted. And that’s okay! That’s why we plan a get-away-completely break every now and then. During these little escapes, you’re still home and you’re still Mommy. So just go with the flow and know that eventually you will have time to think a full sentence. I promise.
If someone gave you a couple hours right now-just for you-what would you do?
For ways on finding time: Every Mom Needs a Break
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Some great ideas here. I must admit, I am very spoilt. As both of my children still have afternoon sleeps and they tend to go down at the same time, I have an hour to myself most afternoons. I usually use the time to look at blogs and write a blog post, or have a sleep if the baby has been up a lot overnight. I think I might take a few of your ideas here and try to do a different one each day for a couple of weeks – just to mix things up a bit…
An hour every afternoon? Gasp!
Great ideas….something every mom needs!!!
I like to sneak away to the wellness center and get a massage every now and then.
That is a new idea to add to my list!
If I had a couple of hours, I’d go to a coffeeshop and blog! Instead, I’m blogging while I sit in the living room with my girls. They are watching VeggieTales. And that’s fine too!
Yep! I agree
Sometimes I’ll leave too early for an appointment just so I can sit in the car alone and listen to music, read, pray or write.
Oh, I love when I get to go to the Dr. alone. I always hope for a long wait time so I can read a magazine!
Hee hee. Sometimes if I go to the grocery store alone, I fill up my cart and hit the magazine isle. Then I pick up a good ‘zine and read it for a while before purchasing the groceries and going home.
I dont have to pay for the magizine and I have a few minutes to myself!
You sneaky girl…
Having four boys and one girl, who all played sports…endless time waiting at sports practice, I learned to read a books. I started enjoying taking them all to their countless practices and just reading. I am now just down to one boy playing sports, and my four year old hasn’t entered that world yet, and I still remember the years of waiting at baseball/basketball practice with delight and refreshment….they grow up too soon!
I am always so distracted at their practices and rehearsals, I can hardly read. I really enjoy watching them, even for three hours or more!
If I had a couple of hours by myself, I would love to be home alone. Then, I would just hang out and listen to music. I really enjoy just vegging out and really listening to my iPod.
Me too!
I love that you said going to the grocery store alone kinda does count! I’ve been there without my family and without those little distractions I feel almost alone. In fact recently I was so lost in my own world there that I found myself singing out loud to the canned music on the baking aisle with a number of strangers I was completely oblivious to! I caught myself, made a little bow and booked it out of there! Now that’s an escape!
That’s definitely a sign you need to get away! Would have loved to see that
If I had a few hours, I would get in the car with my bible, camera and journal, pick myself up a cup of coffee and maybe a little treat, and then just drive to some country road, park and have a fabulous time of prayer and worship without distractions.
Sounds lovely!