to ask you how you to find chill time as a LP

[superfab]

I'm a LP with very little support and DS lives with me all the time. I'm tired, overworked and feeling like I never get enough done. I have decluttered, joined the gym, batch cooked etc. etc... I'm trying really hard! In a way I think I try too hard to get everything done then the last thing on my mind is relaxing.

I feel like the days are running away with me and I am getting tireder and tireder... older and older with the stress of it.

Mindfulness seems virtually impossible with a 4yo and stressful job in the mix.

I do tend to stress when things build up, so just ignoring things to "chill out" while piles of paper build up around me is not going to work...

Any thoughts on finding relaxation time and making life easier and more chilled out very welcome :-)

[hattyhighlighter]

It's hard. Try to prioritise relaxing over getting things done, once you've done the essentials.
With meditation you can do it for 5 minutes and it'll still help.
Relaxing bath maybe?
A few early nights?

[missymayhemsmum]

Bath. Wine. Book. Drama on telly (even with a pile of ironing). Early night. Go round to see a friend (taking child and sleeping bag).

[BatteredBreadedOrSouthernFried]

What time does 4 year old go to bed?

[ScrabbleFiend]

I don't do anything after 8.30/9pm, that's my relaxation time. As long as I get at least an hour a night to myself I can cope with everything else. I'm an early riser, or at least I've been trained to be! so I prefer to get stuff done in the morning before work. It does get easier as they get older and more independent. I have a huge pile of paperwork needing sorted which I completely ignored today as I needed some down time after a busy week at work and dealing with vomiting bug (DS not me), i plan to tackle it tomorrow morning.

[Prettyprettygood]

One night a week I go up to bed same time as the dc (7ish) - not necessarily to sleep, I take a book or just play on my phone or laptop.

[PepsiPolarBear]

I tend to chill just before bed, watch tv or read a book. I get where you're coming from, I'm often catching up on work and cleaning after dc in bed. I wish I wasn't a lone parent but that's loneliness more tbh.

[jeaux90]

Unless it's work work, I don't do anything after dd is in bed. I rest.

That said I don't worry about the cleaning and ironing in the week anyway: I've outsourced everything I possibly can so I can focus on my kid, the job and me.

When I have time off I swim. Dd8 does stagecoach so now I get 3 wonderful hours to myself on a Saturday

I do yoga at home, or gentle stretching even just when the tv is on, I find it helps relax me