I’ve put together over 100 me time ideas for women and how to incorporate them into your every day. If you mentioned ‘me time’ to me over 13 years ago, when my first child was born, I wouldn’t have know what you were talking about. I was of the belief that once children came into your life, that was it. You were 100% devoted to looking after them. Looking after me? That didn’t happen. It wasn’t until over 8 months ago that I decided that it was time to find out who I was, before kids, and incorporate some ‘me time’ into my everyday.

My earliest memories of my mother were that she was 100% devoted to raising myself and my 2 sisters but what I didn’t know, in hindsight, was she was also taking care of herself and taking plenty of time out to do the things she loved.

 

My definition of ‘me time’

When I think of ‘me time’, it’s not necessarily spa treatments, indulgent lunches, intensive one on one workouts with a personal trainer or taking yourself out to the movies, sans kids. Not that there’s anything wrong with any of those things.

My definition of ‘me time’ is more about finding time in your day to remember what it’s like to be YOU. Before kids, we were maybe working full time, taking regular vacations, playing a sport, doing craft, lunching with friends, having weekend barbecues with family and friends or, more to the point, it was whatever the hell we wanted to do. We didn’t have to think of anyone else.

Bringing a new baby into the home, looking after your home, your partner, perhaps still working full time and any other children, really takes it’s toll. There is barely a minute to remember why you walked into a room let alone finding something to do that you really like.

Taking some time out for YOU, even if it’s just 5 minutes per day will help clear your mind. In fact, since I’ve been doing this I’ve been able to reminisce about the children when they were babies and I think of those times more fondly. It makes me love them even more  now as they are growing up.

It helps you also remember that sweet thing your partner did for you that you may have overlooked because you were elbow deep in the dishes or changing a dirty nappy.

Sure, that’s hard when you bring a new baby home but there are still ways you can find time for yourself with a newborn. Check out my list and see which ones you can incorporate into your every day. You might be surprised just how easy it is.

Relaxing

That might seem a strange concept when you’re a busy mother but even 5 minutes a day working on your mindset or feeling calm can restore your spiritual self.

• Nap: Even a 20 minute power nap, just closing your eyes does wonders.
• Sleep: Sleep when the children sleep.
• Meditate: It might sound ‘airy fairy’ but it’s not. Meditation has been proven to have so many benefits to your overall health. There are many relaxing guided meditations on Youtube from sounds of the ocean, the rainforest or a subject you might what to improve on like making money, getting fit or feeling slim.
• Phone apps: One of my favourite apps for relaxing is called Calm. There is a free 7 day trial but for $60 per year, you’re worth the investment, right? There are always plenty of free clips to listen to as well. Most of the clips only last 5 minutes so put on your headphones, shut your eyes and relax.
• Lie down: Just lying down while watching your kids play can help you feel relaxed. You’re resting your body.
• Massage: Whether you go out for one or get your partner to do it, a 10 minute massage of the shoulders will ease any tension.
• Play calm music in the house: I’ve often got relaxing music playing in the background. It helps keep the whole family calm. In fact, my 11 year old son requests the rainforest music. If you shut your eyes you really feel like you’re there.
• Yoga: Not that I’m personally a fan of yoga but it has such a restorative effect on your mind and body. Check your local guides for your nearest class.
• Tai Chi: A very relaxing and gentle activity that is also good for the body, mind and soul.

Physical Activity

What was your favourite sport before kids? Is there a new sport you’ve always wanted to try? Ever wanted to get back to the gym?

• Walk around the backyard: While the kids are playing in the backyard you can still watch them by just walking around the backyard.
• Walk around the block: Take the baby in the pram and just walk.
• Walk to the park: Take the kids to the park and slide down the slippery slide. It feels strange as an adult but it’s heaps of fun. Walk or run around the playground while they are playing on the equipment.
• Power walk: Leave the kids at home with your partner and take the dog for a power walk. Put your headphones on with your favourite tunes and smash it out. The levels of dopamine, the feel good hormone that is produced when exercising will last hours afterwards and you’ll feel more energised.
• Gym: Most gyms have creches now so take your kids with you. Do a weights work out or a class. Hire a personal trainer so your precious time isn’t wasted. They can personalise a workout routine for you.
• Outside Bootcamp: Most councils and government agencies are promoting a more healthy lifestyle and there are plenty of free or cheap group bootcamps held in local parks. Check your local government website for details.
• Gymnastics
• Golf
• Tennis
• Squash
• Table Tennis
• Badminton
• Football: You’ll find a ladies team in just about any code these days, eg soccer, rugby union, rugby league or even just touch football.
• Cricket: Yep, there are ladies teams in cricket too.
• Softball
• Baseball
• Hockey
• Dance class: Did you do ballet as a child? How about hip hop or jazz? Line dancing or square dancing? Check your local dance schools for adult classes.
• Running: Learn to run, even if you’ve been a lounge lizard all your life. It has a wonderful effect on your mind and body.
• Athletics: Were you good at shot put, javelin or long jump at school? Maybe you were the age champion? “Masters” or “Open” events are on everywhere if you look. Maybe you could become world champion at the next “Masters Games”?
• Swimming: Find an indoor heated pool and you can go all year round.
• Splashing in a pool with the kids
• Surfing
• Boogie boarding
• Surf Life Saving
• Paddle boarding
• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Fencing
• Equestrian
• Rock climbing: Whether it’s indoor rock climbing or in the great outdoors, if that’s something you’ve always want to try, do it!
• Charity runs/walks: There are fun runs on all the time. Kill two birds with one stone and enjoy some physical activity while raising money for your favourite charity.
• Park runs: There is bound to be a local park near you and an organisation that has regular park runs. A great way to stay in shape and you can run or walk with your babies in the pram (or leave them at home). This is your time.

Craft

Crafting has been known to help you relax. It takes your focus away from what’s going on around you and you concentrate on what’s in your hands. You can still watch the children but the best part, I find, is that you’re creating something useful for yourself or your home. You can also create homemade gifts for friends and family from the things you make.

• Sewing: Sewing clothes for yourself or your family, home furnishings or just mending.
• Dressmaking: Don’t worry about finding the latest styles to suit your body shape. Make them yourself.
• Pattern making: Become your own fashion designer and create your own patterns. There are plenty of DIY tutorials online.
• Embroidery: There are many mediums for embroidery from cotton thread to ribbon to natural fibres. Remember what it was to be creative.
• Quilting/Patchwork: Who doesn’t love a homemade quilt? There are so many designs, fabrics and a whole different world out there when it comes to quilting.
• Applique: An artistic craft where you can create designs out of all sorts of textured fabrics and threads. A great way to recycle small pieces of fabric and other notions.
• Knitting
• Crochet
• Felt making
• Lace making
• Macrame
• Woodcraft
• Leathercraft
• Papercraft: Scrapbooking, Planners etc
• Pottery
• Glass blowing
• Mosaics
• Making jewellry
• Artifical flower making
• Origami
• Mixed media
• Flower arranging
• Paint
• Draw
• Chalk, crayon or other media art
• Enter competitions: Your local fair has craft (and baking) competitions. Why not enter your latest masterpiece into a local exhibition? You might just win something. How proud will that make you feel.

Cooking/Baking

I love cooking and baking so it’s not a chore for me but if you find something that you like to cook or bake or look for something different to cook or bake, it might soon become a good past time and a way to find some ‘me time’.

• Cooking from scratch: I’m not talking about meals but rather ingredients. If you’ve never made something like homemade mayonnaise, for example, learn to make it from scratch. The reward is the taste as it’s so much better than what you can buy in a jar. Think of all the food you buy and how you could make it from scratch. Some people even like to bake their own bread. The kneading is quite therapeutic.
• Baking: Try new recipes. Get out of your comfort zone and learn a new skill like making fancy frostings or French patissierie.
• Cake decorating: This new found hobby could turn into a fun little side business. Everyone wants birthday and celebration cakes but don’t have the time. If you like crafting, working with fondant icing is just the same.
• Canning/preserving: Make your own jams, chutney or preserved fruit and vegetables. It’s such a nice hobby to have and the reward is you have a lot of tasty food on hand that will save you a lot of money.
• Sweet making: Another hobby that could bring in a bit of money. Old fashioned sweets are all the rage. Homemade fudge and other such treats are always in high demand.
• Pasta making: There is nothing like freshly made pasta. With simple ingredients you can create your own delicious pastas at home. I can remember having a pasta maker when the children were really young and they got a big kick out of helping me roll the dough.

Beauty Treatments

• Hair cut: There is something quite special about sitting in a hair salon and having a cup of coffee and flicking through a trashy magazine. It’s amazing how just a trim can make you feel so much better.
• Hair treatments: Go to the salon for a blow dry or deep conditioning treatment. Get a new colour. You can of course DIY these things at home for a lot less.
• Facial: Either at a spa salon or DIY. Treat yourself to a homemade scrub that can be easily made with everyday ingredients.
• Manicure/Pedicure: Find a reputable salon and sit and relax for a while for a special treatment for your nails. This too of course can be done easily at home. Have a bit of fun with the kids while you’re doing it and make your own ‘salon’ at home.
• Soak in the bath: Same as above. There are so many different products you can find in your pantry for a good old fashioned soak in the tub. Put on your favourite music, grab a wine or a coffee and zone out for as long as you can.
• Self tan: There are some really good products on the market at the moment that give you an all over tan without making you look ‘orange’. If you like the tanned look, it will make you feel better and give your skin a certain glow.
• Exfoliation: I can remember when my children were babies, showers with a quick 30 second rinse off and they’d be in their portable cot in the bathroom with me. When you find time, something as quick as having a 3 minute shower with the music on and an exfoliation glove with a good body wash or DIY scrub will make your skin feel alive.
• Shaving: Shaving your legs can be a thing of the past when new babies come home. Take time out for a quick shave of your legs. There’s nothing nicer than slipping into bed with freshly shaved legs. There’s also other areas of the body that deserve our attention too.
• Make up: Practice the art of applying make up in different ways. Try fake eyelashes or a smoky eye shadow. Plenty of Youtube tutorials to practice make up application.

Gardening

When I look back, here I was thinking my mother and grandmothers didn’t have any ‘me time’ and devoted all of their time to us kids. How I was wrong! They were all very keen gardeners. This, of course, was their ‘me time’. My Mum would be up at 4am to water the garden. She had a massive orchid collection that she took great care of. We would help with weeding and doing the lawn edges after Dad mowed (which we hated) but looking back, it was a way of spending time together while she got to keep her garden looking pristine.

• Plant flowers: Start your own garden with a small plot of your favourite flowers. How lovely would that be to be able to bring in fresh flowers from your own garden. Even using pots instead of a garden bed is a great way to start.
• Indoor plants: There are so many wonderful plants for inside that can offer so many benefits to everyone inside. Don’t think of remembering to water them as a chore but as a hobby that will give you something else to focus on.
• Herb garden: I love fresh herbs in cooking. They also have a lot of medicinal qualities. You can dry the herbs for cooking if you have too many or try extracting the oils to be used for other things.
• Non flowering plants: I’m the kind of person who loves an easy, but nice looking garden so I have plants that don’t require a lot of maintenance. Caring for my garden gets me outside and some physical exercise, all while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine and helping to keep our property looking nice.
• Dried flowers: If you are growing flowers or herbs like lavender, you can dry them to be used in other projects.
• Grow your own fruit and vegetables: Think of how much money you’ll save if you grew your own. There is some work involved in setting it up but once they get a ‘go on’ you’ll have an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables at your finger tips. The kids will love seeing how they grow.
• Mow the lawn: If your partner is used to mowing the lawn, swap jobs for the day. Let them look after the children while you have a good workout and mow the lawn. Put your ear phones on and take your mind off any problems.
• Join a community garden: There are a lot of community gardens popping up all over the place that allow you take the rewards of your hard labour home, ie fruit and vegetables, in return for a bit of weeding, fertilising and watering.

Reading & the Internet

• Visit the library: There is a whole resource of reading material at the library. Magazines, novels, biographies or even the newspaper are a great place to start. There are reference books on hobbies and there are usually great activities on at the library for children so you can get 5 minutes while they are being entertained by the librarians.
• Read the daily news: Whether it’s the actual newspaper or online, it’s a great opportunity to grab 5 minutes with a cuppa and catch up on what’s happening in the world.
• Magazines: I must admit, I’m not a big fan of buying magazines but I will borrow older issues from the library or look for my favourites at the thrift shops. There are magazines for a whole range of hobbies or just general interest. Subscribe to one if you must. At least you know it’s coming every month and it’s something to look forward to. You can always find time to thumb through a magazine while you’re children are playing or sleeping.
• Podcasts & Audio Books: Even if you can’t find the time to actually sit and read through a book, most books are available in audio form or there are some great podcasts from all people with a whole range of interests. You can listen to them in the car or on your smart phone or even in the car to take your mind off other things.
• The internet: Subscribe to your favourite websites and find 15 minutes, at least to catch up on the highlights from your favourite sites. I used to do that when my first born was still a baby. I had my favourite bloggers I would read every day.
• Youtube: Subscribe to your favourite channels and watch when you have a minute or two. Listen to music, watch a movie, watch tutorials or how to’s, learn a new language. There is just about anything on the internet now to watch.
• Online contests, quizzes & surveys: Sometimes you might even win something! Some sites even pay for surveys. I can remember being registered for ‘mystery shopping’ when my children were really young. I’d just have to go into a store, ask the sales assistant a couple of questions and fill in the details on the computer when I got home. It was sometimes up to $50 per visit but I think that’s all changed now.

TV & Films

• Youtube: As mentioned above, there are old TV series or new ones, old programs and all sorts of things to watch on Youtube.
• TV: Record your favourite programs and watch them when you can. Sometimes there’s nothing better than a mindless reality program to get your mind off other things.
• Netflix & Subscription TV: One of my family’s luxuries is cable TV. I’m a huge fan of cooking shows. I may not get to watch my favourite shows when I want but when I do find time in my day/week, I can watch them, minus the ads, in a binge session.
• Old movies: Whether it’s a classic from the 1980’s or the 1940’s, old movies are great to watch to reminisce about your time before kids, what you might’ve been doing at the time etc. I can remember going to see “Grease” at the cinema when it first came out and every time I watch it, it reminds me of that time.
• Go to the cinema: Whether it’s a latest release or, for something different, a European film with subtitles, going to the actual cinema, with or without kids is a luxury to enjoy. There are some cinemas who cater for parents with babies so it doesn’t matter if they cry.

Other

• Join a Parent’s group: This was one of the best things I did when my daughter was 12 months old.  It took a little while to find the right one but while you’re children are playing, you can enjoy some adult conversation with women who are going through the same things as you are.
• Join a club: Local clubs like the Lion’s Club or Rotary Club are good to join as they do wonderful things in the community. There are clubs for all sorts of things like crafting, playing board games, learning new languages or skills.
• Learn a new language
• Just sit: Sometimes I find nothing better than to sit in complete silence. Whether it’s at the beach, in the shops just people watching or at home. Sitting for 5 minutes with absolutely nothing to do can clear the mind.
• Furniture restoration: Start a new hobby of making over old furniture or repurposing old things in your home that could do with a makeover. I find this really challenging and a great way to spend some time. The end result can be amazing and you’ll be happy with something you’ve made.
• Home restoration: Thought about repainting a room or giving your kitchen cabinets a makeover? I know these big jobs are hard to leave, especially when you’ve got a baby to tend to but they are jobs that save a lot of money and make you feel good when you stand back and look at your handiwork. (Remember, there are tutorials on the Internet for everything.)
• Redecorate: If you like home reno shows, like me, you’ll be liking new styles or home decor. Try making over rooms in your home using just what you have. Change cushions or a throw. Paint a piece of furniture or make new curtains out of an old thrifty shop doona cover. Try to do it as cheaply as possible and admire your handiwork.
• Go for a drive: I can remember my son was shocking to get to sleep when he was a baby. The only thing that worked was driving around. It meant I could go for an hour or so long drive and just breathe. It was nice to listen to music while he was sleeping or sometimes I would just pull up beside the sea and sit while he slept.
• Window shopping: Not every trip to the store requires a purchase. I can remember when my daughter was a baby, I would get us both dressed up (which made me feel better) and take a walk around the shops. I didn’t buy anything except maybe a coffee but we were out of the house and in a different environment.
• Go for a check up at the Dr: Not to alarm you or anything but a great way to improve your mental or physical health is to go to a Doctor (or Naturopath for example) for a full physical. They will take blood samples and see if you’re lacking anything or just how you are in your general health. If anything is lacking you can create some new healthier routines for yourself so you’re in peak condition.
• Do housework: I’m not being silly when I suggest this but sometimes I do my best thinking when I’m ironing (not that I iron a lot). I do love sleeping on ironed pillow cases to it’s a small luxury I afford myself. It’s a win/win because I sleep better and I get to think while I’m ironing. Housework is a good workout plus your home will thank you for it too.
• Puzzles: Jigsaws, Sudoku, crosswords, Find-A-Word and all of those puzzles are a great way to catch 5 minutes to yourself. You can do them while you’re watching the kids.
• Photography: Just about all of us have a camera in our hands or pockets most times of the day. Why not take up the hobby of photography, whether it’s photos of your children, the landscape or still life.

I trust you will find something that interests you in this list. Even taking 5 minutes a day out of your busy schedule will allow you to remember exactly what it was that you used to love doing or thought about trying one day.

Life’s too short to be waiting until the time is right for you to follow your dreams or do what you love doing. It’s not selfish. You might be a parent but you’re still a woman who has hopes and dreams and can benefit so much from taking a little time out each day or week for yourself. Don’t waste another minute and do what you love.