It’s MY TURN for TIME!

by Claire Minnaar

When we become Moms, for some or other reason, a lot of us forget about looking after one of the most important people in our lives – OURSELVES! After having my 2nd child 7 months ago, going through the baby stage of little sleep plus a whole host of personal stuff, then moving out of Cape Town into the country and having 2 weeks to unpack boxes and get settled, I finally sat still for a moment and realised that I had really starting neglecting little things about myself. I see it with other Moms I come into contact with and I have to ask the question – why does it happen??

Sometimes, for me, I just feel like there’s just not enough time in the day. I want to make sure my baby has had enough sleep, both boys have eaten enough, they have pooed for the day, they’re OK and happy, my husband is fine and has everything he needs, the staff know what they’re doing, dealing with clients, doing my work, clearing the emails, making sure financials are still going, etc….where is there honestly time for me!?

In our new house, we have this giant mirror in our new bathroom and well, this mirror doesn’t leave much to the imagination. I typically turn my back and walk out as soon as I’m out the shower, but for some or unknown reason, I turned and looked at myself the other day and had to ask “What happened?” After having 2 kids, running a business, being a wife, going through life’s challenges and dramas (good and bad), my body and mind just isn’t the same anymore. But, I’m still the same person inside….

I’ve taken a hard look at my life and although I can’t change my past or change my body or self-image over night, I can most definitely work on it.

So, today I start! Today, I also encourage you to start making time for those little things no matter how small e.g. taking the nail polish off that is sitting in the middle of your toenails, giving your hair the extra brush it may deserve, taking those extra 2 minutes to use the mouthwash you bought in December or just taking 5 minutes to enjoy that little vegetable patch you started last year…just making time for yourself if only for 15 minutes.

Today, I challenge you and I ask you to challenge me! Think of something you haven’t had a chance to do FOR YOURSELF and make a time to do it – I know when that time arrives for me to do that little deed I will probably not be keen and have an excuse, but we all just have to push through and make sure that we look after ourselves.

So, join me in making time for YOU AND ME!

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4 comments

Debbie Malton June 19, 2012 - 7:29 am

You’ve hit the nail on the head. For the last two weeks I have been meaning to make time to take off that wretched nail polish in the middle of my toes… thank you

Reply
NickiD June 19, 2012 - 7:38 am

It HAS to be done. Luckily this time round I seem to have less guilt. I know that my boys will be just fine if I take a 30 minute run and leave them with Anna. They’ll be fine. And as importantly, I’LL be fine.

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Stacey Vee June 19, 2012 - 7:53 am

Where to even begin my response? I haven’t had a haircut or pedi in over a year… Gym? Not going to happen. I’ve come to realise that the only time I can claim for myself is the two hours a day I spend in the car driving to the office and back. So I crank up the tunes and daydream of a time when, well, I had time!

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Delmaine June 19, 2012 - 11:23 am

SO spot on!! you have to stop and enjoy your life.

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