To ask what you do to feel like 'you'?

[YouCantCallMeBetty]

Apologies for cringey title but can't think how else to say it.
Over the years I seem to have lost my sense of myself somewhat. In between the DC, work, DH, keeping the house running I seem to have lost touch with the stuff that I think makes me me.
For a lot of years I have worked full time and DH works away mon-fri so I haven't had a great deal of time but of course could have squeezed things in, i just haven't.
I've always loved languages so have started doing a bit on Duolingo each evening but am struggling for other ideas. I'm thinking maybe I could make some playlists with the 90s indie I used to listen to but otherwise am stuck. would anyone be willing to share your 'me' things?

Gardening, knitting, sneaking a lie in with a big cup of tea and a rubbishy chick lit book... I know what you mean, I sometimes feel like I'm not myself. Strangely, the thing I find most helpful is 'dressing up' as myself I'm aware I probably sound absolutely bonkers, but I have one or two outfits that make me feel the most me, so I'll pop one of those on, even if I'm just staying in and don't really need to wear anything nice. That always makes me feel like myself.

I love duo lingo too, well worth it!

Hope you feel better soon!

At work, when it's really going well, that's "me"

Put on my Deezer playlist of favourite songs

Otherwise, if on my own - I read.

I surf. Ds is 6months old n hubby holds tye fort an hour or so a few times a week so i can get in. I also knit....maybe something crafty could be fun for you too

Martial arts & crochet help keep me 'grounded'. I used to ride but its too expensive and i got thrown into a wall so DP is concerned i might die so these are my compromises.

I do an online creative writing course, that helps.

Also, the other day I met my old school friends and we hung out in Boots and tried on lipsticks...

Yoga, dancing and seeing friends.

I go to the gym, spend time with friends and a few weekends a year we have a city break somewhere I've not been and I trawl shops, visit at least 37 restaurants/bars and always have to photograph the local churches (DH says it's batshit being anti-religion but being obsessed with churches but I can't stop, they're just so lovely).

Running, reading and good coffee are what I feel define me. They are my simple pleasures along with listening to the Archers with a glass of wine while cooking (god I'm old).
Also wearing red lipstick always makes me feel "me" even if my hair is scraped back and I'm in old jeans.

Walking my dog!! Just got a new puppy after a long break. Finally feel like me again, mud, mess and all!

Certain parts of my work, taking time to read a good book, cooking a really nice meal or an afternoon of baking and listening to music, sex, talking to my sister who lives abroad who I miss desperately and knows me better than nearly anyone.

Reading my books and writing poetry. Drinking a cocktail or a glass of fizzy. Looking at nature and walking through nature. Talking about topics I am passionate about with like-minded people. Travelling on a train or plane and staring out the window. Showing affection to those I love. Getting up and being strong even after all the dreadful things that have been done to me. Wandering in the city.

I sing showtunes (and sometimes Canadian alternative folk music) in my car on the way to work. My commute is my "me" time.

I took up a hobby (photography) that gave me something to talk about other than my children and my job. It also meant I could learn a skill, improve on it and feel that kind of pride that only comes from having done, made or created something yourself. It gets me out of the house and meeting new people once a week as I go to my local photographic society. I enter their competitions and am occasionally successful. I've also sold some of my images. It just makes me feel like I have something else besides just mothering and household chores.

I go to the theatre or read.

I get my nails done. I don’t feel like I’m me if my nails look tatty.

Thanks so much everyone. Such lovely inspiration. I realise I haven't read for pleasure for a while and that is always something I enjoy unless I'm trying to show off and read an 'improving' book
I also especially like the ideas about wearing outfits that look like me and trying on lipsticks like a teenager again

Ooh I asked a similar question a few months ago OP!

I got some lovely responses - here's the link. I hope you find your you again soon.

To ask what makes you feel at your happiest, most real "you"? http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/3259225-to-ask-what-makes-you-feel-at-your-happiest-most-real-you

Thanks YouCantCallMeBetty and whereiscaroline you've given me some great ideas too! I'm going to go and make a list of all the things I love doing haha. Ooh there's another one - making lists! Gosh I'm exciting

Dp and I have started going out more. This weekend we've been to a piano recital, to see a play and to a charity Proms event.

Last month we went to see Brian Blessed and Garbage (not at the same time ).

My kids are grown up so we have the luxury of not needing babysitters. Sometimes we'll wander round the library. If there's a weekend where we don't fancy doing much, we'll have a film marathon and snacks. I need to read more though. That is the one thing I need to make more time for.

One that i do that DP thinks is nuts is wearing odd socks. Deliberately. I don't pair them (unless formal situation someone might see) in the drawer & just have a lucky dip. So simple but it gives me a smile first thing!

Not a hobby, but I always feel most like ‘me’ when I have fresh nails and a salon blow dry. Come out feeling like a new woman (and very much like myself again)

I paint/draw/crochet

I did a lot of art and even sold a bit before ds was born. People have asked me if I would sell my crochet stuff too but I'm so ridiculously slow at it that I would have to charge something like £200 for a cushion cover (like the one I made my mum, £20 worth of wool and about 100 hours of work). So I send stuff into wooly hug now so I get my fix without drowning in wool.

I've painted a couple of pictures for ds's room (little cartoon dinosaurs and jungle animals) and have my own sketchbook of random little doodles and bits and bobs in.

This is all loads harder to do in winter though with the lack of natural light in the evening (can only really do it either when ds is in school, when I have other adult crap to do, or when he's in bed, especially painting, though we do occasionally paint together at the weekend)

Otherwise I read, go for a wander around the local art gallery /museum, go to a coffee shop and have a naice coffee and do a bit of people watching.

I also second pp regarding "dressing as myself". As something of a former goth my style changed quite drastically (kind of tricky to wear a velvet corset with a baby bump and no time for all of the hair dye/make-up /nail polish etc that goes into it) but I feel like I've nailed a more grown up version of it now, with lots of (quite ordinary hight street) black dresses and black boots, the odd spooky but subtle bit of jewellery (like my skeleton cameo necklace) and dark brown rather than black hair.

I wore a lot of mum uniform stuff for a long time and didn't feel like me at all.

Ah thanks whereiscaroline I thought there had been a previous thread but had a search fail! Some lovely lovely responses to your question. Sorry to hear you've felt the same, hope you're finding your 'you' again.