‣

I am 100% a better Mum once I’ve had some time to myself to reset and rebalance.

I kinda feel bad about saying that, but… also I really don’t.

I probably feel bad about it because of typical Mum guilt, which is completely normal and expected (although totally unnecessary, in my opinion).

But the reason why I don’t feel bad about it is because I want to show up right for my kids. I want them to get the best version of me as often as possible, instead of a cranky, touched out, hysterical Mother who feels pulled in so many different directions that she can’t keep even a single plate spinning, let alone all of them.

I don’t want that for my kids.

I don’t want that for ME!

I want them to grow up watching me maintain a balanced lifestyle for our family, where we all get to spend time working and time playing. This way, we don’t just survive, we THRIVE. We develop. We grow. We become more.

Plus we spend less time snapping at each other because we all feel so hard done by.

Don’t spend another day feeling hard done by and sorry for yourself.

Rediscover an old hobby or start searching for a brand new one!

Either way, lets start DOING IT.

BUT WHEN?!

When do you have time? In between getting the kids ready in the morning and evenings, nursery or school runs, keeping the house clean and tidy, running errands, going to work if you have a job, taking the cat to the vet (sending you strength if this is you today), and everything else that needs doing ALL THE TIME just to keep the family afloat… just when is there the time?

Well…….there is time. There really is time.

At first you have to work hard to find it, create it and make a routine of it. But nothing is easy. Remember when your kid learned to walk? That took them effort, time and practice! They did it, and so can you.

Have the patience, effort and motivation that your toddler had when they were learning to walk. Keep that in the forefront of your mind. They did it, and so can you.

But I’m not just going to leave you there, so here are 7 tips to help you find time for your hobbies:

1. Prioritise your hobbies

Make a list of your hobbies in order of priority, Consider which ones make you FEEL good, and will achieve the most balance for YOU.

If you feel like you should prioritise running but know that actually, Yoga fills up your cup a lot more, then make sure that Yoga is higher on your list than running.

If you quite like knitting but know that you also find it really frustrating to get those little knots looking pretty in rows, then maybe put that lower on the list than something that makes you peaceful and cheerful.

Start by choosing just one hobby to rediscover. You may be able to add more in time, but for now, just learn how to re-prioritise your life for some space for yourself with one hobby.

Remember, your kid didn’t get up and run, they learned to walk first.

2. Schedule your time

Time management is key for finding time for hobbies. Take a few minutes each week to schedule your time, making sure you have time blocked out for your hobby.

3. Involve your children

If your hobby involves fire-breathing circus skills or bungee jumping then this one probably isn’t for you, but most hobbies can be adapted in some way to involve your children, or do your hobby alongside them.

Involving them is a great option if you want your kids to learn more about your hobbies and grow up with similar interests, but is also great if you actually really don’t mind them being a part of this you-time.

It’s not one for me (not because I enjoy bungee jumping) because I really need and value the time to be my own self… without my kids… but it will be a great option for some of you, so it’s definitely worth your consideration.

Take a moment to consider how you would incorporate your kids into your hobby. There is normally a way, no matter what the hobby is. Then imagine if you are okay with this set up or if the you-time really is non-negotiable.

Whatever feels like the right answer is the right answer for you.

4. Take advantage of nap times

I am not an advocate of completing chores or anything BORING during your kids nap time. I know its a popular line of advice but it just is not for me. Nap time is the only rest you get during the day when you have young children, so why would you want to spend it doing the housework?

If you aren’t interested in taking a nap or putting your feet up then use it to work on your hobbies instead if this is possible.

(I don’t advocate you leaving your kids napping alone in the house whilst you head out to enjoy some horse riding though, so clearly this only applies to hobbies than can be done within the home!)

5. Join a group

Hobby groups and clubs are great for providing support systems and making you accountable for your downtime.

Anything with a regular meet-up is great for forcing you to create space in your calendar, and might just rally a bit more support from your partner too.

If your hobby doesn’t really have a club or face-to-face element to it then look online!

Facebook has groups for pretty much every hobby and niche going, and a wider search on Google will find other groups available too, if you don’t use Facebook.

Any kind of network of people with similar interests is BRILLIANT for reigniting your passion for your hobby and providing you with the support you’ll need to continue pursuing it.

6. Combine interests

Find ways of combining your hobbies with other activities, such as listening to relevant audiobooks or Podcasts whilst cooking, or knitting on the train to work in the morning.

If you love running, is it feasible to run to work? Can you do the nursery or school run whilst running with a specialist running buggy?

Get creative. Think outside of the box.

7. Ask for help

Don’t be a martyr!

You deserve a rest and some me-time, so if you need your partner or a family member to look after your kids for a couple of hours once per week so you can achieve this then TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND ASK.

People who love you love to help!

And when they see you coming back happy and refreshed they will be all the happier about helping you out.

Just please, PLEASE…

Don’t be a martyr!

At the end of the day just remember this one thing; we show up better for our family when we are fulfilled ourselves, so don’t feel as though having an hour or two out for your hobby is selfish. It isn’t!

It’s about being the best version of you that you can be, and showing up more positively to your family as a result.

I’d love to hear what hobbies you have as a Mum, so please share below so we can all get inspired with you.

]]>