On the Doorstep Magazine – July-August 2019

"After I had my first

child I thought doing a

weekly shop on my own

classified as ‘me’ time"

@ _M U M M YM O I

We have enlisted the support and advice of @_mummy_moi_

to work with On the Doorstep in our mission

to #allow 4 metime

I’m a huge believer that I am a better
mother (and generally all round nicer
person) when I’m able to take a moment,
an hour or even a whole weekend to just
be ‘me’.

Not wife or mum or full time working parent
but the ‘me’ that exists outside of those
badges. As proud as I am to wear these
badges of honour I am also pretty proud of the
person who came before that. Most of the time
that version of ‘me’ gets boxed up and put to
one side whilst all other important aspects of
my life are front and centre. Which is the right
thing to do, my children and family are the
most important things to me and I always want
what is best for them. But sometimes to give
them my best I need to give myself a bit of
what I need. And not feel guilty for it,
occasionally that ‘me’ box needs to be opened
and nurtured.

After I had my first child I thought doing a
weekly shop on my own classified as ‘me’ time
until I realised that I spent the whole hour
walking the aisles of Tesco’s thinking about
what I needed to buy for everyone else. It
wasn’t me time at all, I was still concentrating
on other people and what I needed to put in
the trolley to satisfy their needs. So I started
going for a short walk in the park on my own
when I was able to. ‘Me’ time doesn’t have to
be extravagant outings, just time when you
can think about what’s important to you and
clear your head.

Of course if you get the opportunity to go BIG

on the ‘me’ time such as a girls night out or a

weekend away then go for it. I’m not

suggesting abdicating responsibilities on a

weekly basis but to afford yourself the

opportunity to have a couple of nights a year

to yourself. To recharge, be grateful for the

wonderful things you have and set goals for

the future.

I always return knowing that taking ‘me’ time

helps me continue to be the best mum, wife,

carer, non-stop worker, clothes washer,

cleaneruperer, basket at the bottom of the

stairs put awayerer that I can be.

A happy mum equals a happy life.

http://www.onthedoorstep.org Page 17