Guest Post: Me Time

Today, I have an extra special treat for you!  My blog friend over at Single Mama Life has graciously agreed to write a guest post.  I'm a lover of her blog because, like me, she's a busy single mom to a precious little boy.  However, she seems to have found a grace about her situation that I still struggle with finding.  Therefore, she's one of my heros!  Single Mama, take it away!

Aryn, thank you for asking me to guest post on your blog.  On my blog, www.singlemamalife.com, I write about being a single mom, a new home-owner and whatever else might pop into my head.

Last spring I was struggling.  It was one thing after another.  I was getting sick non-stop, I was busy at work…I just didn’t have enough time in my day to get it all done.  After almost a month of taking a medication to get rid of a sinus infection that wouldn’t leave, I suddenly had an allergic reaction.  My body broke out in a horrible rash and I yet again made the trip to the doctor’s office.  But this time I had had it.  The doctor walked in and I burst into tears.  I told him I couldn’t handle getting sick anymore.  I had too many other things to do and my health was not a top priority to me.  His response?  Take some “me time”.  And I started doing just that.
I made an appointment for a massage that afternoon.  Instantly the back and neck pain I had been struggling with for weeks was gone.  I started working out again.  My mom comes over one night a week so I can go to Zumba and shake my bum and I take a class twice a week over the lunch hour.  I also try to do a Jillian Michael DVD once on the weekends…key word there is “try”.  Once HJ goes to bed, I spend the next 10-15 minutes cleaning the house.  I hate dis-organized messes, so this little pick-me-up is great at keeping me sane.  And then I make myself sit on the couch and relax.

I have also tried to get out more by myself.  After living in this town for a year, I had only gone out with friends or on a date three times (and twice I was home before 10:30).  I realized to be a better mom and a better me I needed to take time for myself.  Since then, about once a month HJ will go stay with my parents for the night while I do something for me.  The best part is I can sleep in past seven.  I always feel guilty when I leave him, but I always feel refreshed the next day.  And he loves his nana and papa so much, I am sure he enjoys it.

I think all moms, single or not, struggle at finding a balance.  Most of the time I am still wishing there were an extra few hours in the day to get everything done, but overall I feel that I am getting better at balancing mommyhood and being single.

If you haven't already done so, hop on over to Single Mama Life and start following her awesome blog!