to ask you....what do you do for you?

[Bigglassofwineplease]

In my mad life of looking after everyone...I am trying to find time for me. Kids....family....partner....I am lucky and love my role but the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months and I feel like I am on a hamster wheel. What do you do to for you? Am trying to get inspired in finding moments I can call my own and feel a little more self fulfilled.

I joined a really naice health club. I go every day once ove dropped DD at school.
It's used as a spa too. I generally get an aqua class in, then I sometimes go in the steam room, make my way to the hot tub, then sauna. They are very special days.

I've recently come to the realisation that I needed time for me, where I could de-stress, become happier, healthier.

It makes a huge difference to the whole families life.

I have looked after baby all day and house work and clean up after husband all meals and gone to work I come home eat 2 kit cats and a cuppa at 11:45 pm before bed until DD wakes up at 4 am

Morning....greylove, your routine sounds like you will burn yourself out soon. Don't leave it too late to think about youtime ☺

Exercise. Dance classes do it for me, plus the odd run. Keeps me sane . . . Just.

I go to the gym or go running twice a week (weekday evenings while DH puts the kids to bed)
Yoga once a week (lunch hour)
Body conditioning once a week (lunch hour)
Night in/out with friends roughly once a week
Spa trip 3 times a year
Book group once every 6 weeks
Hairdresser once every couple of months
Beauty salon once every couple of months

My DH and I both get quite a lot of "me time", as we cover childcare for each other. It can mean we're like ships that pass in the night. We need to do more as a couple, really, but we struggle for babysitters.

'Me time' v limited as am single parent with more-than-fulltime job and little in the way of both money and childcare (beyond childcare for work), but:

• exercise (usually just 10 mins of a DVD in the morning)
• candle lit baths
• reading
• writing
• as much stuff as we (5yo and I) can both enjoy together at weekends - country walks, cafes, music
• I try to combine the washing up with something particularly good on the radio (possibly scraping the barrel a bit here )

Also by lowering my standards at times (may be much easier as the only adult in the house, but I like to think I'd stand my ground on this even if I wasn't). I try not to have two days in a row where I do absolutely nothing for me. Last night was spent catching up on work from when I put DS to bed until I fell into bed myself at 11. Tonight, I will leave the dishes to fester again so I can curl up in the armchair with my book.

If I can get the washing up done without being interrupted I consider that an achievement!

My DH works silly hours. I work part-time (but full days) and have 2 DCs and we don't really have additional support for childcare. Not regular support anyway. We have a couple of good friends who would help when needed but they have their own families to worry about. I'm either working or with the DCs.

I suppose I consider my commute to be my quiet time. I can read or listen to a podcast. If i'm lucky I get an hour of TV in the evenings.

Me-time is something I really need to work on as I can feel the lack of it really taking its toll. I am an introverted type and really benefit from quiet time to re-charge. I never really know when DH will be home during the week so I can't commit to regular hobbies. Until DC2 goes to school in 2 years I don't see how things will change for the better.

I spend time on a hamster wheel treadmill with music on.

That's the thing....I don't want to wish my life away or the kids' childhood...time passes too quickly. I guess it's trying to reach a balance so you don't feel constantly frazzled. I wish I didn't like my house to be tidy or clean....I would have more time then. If I leave jobs, I wouldn't be able to relax thinking about them. Argh! Tonight I have decided to have a bigglassofwine and watch Gogglebox for a self indulgent hour