I, M E, M Y

Photo Credit: Sierra Duffey (@s_duffey)

If there’s one thing I must note about motherhood: it’s easy to get in but hard to get out.  Call it what you want to call it but since becoming a mom, I’ve become somewhat of a “baby-a-holic.”  I spend most nap times and evenings perusing social media in search of baby clothes, nursery décor, and reading my favourite mommy blogs.  If you are pregnant or have a new baby, I will probably cry tears of joy for you when I hear the news!  I am quite truly obsessed with all things “mommy” and “baby” and while this leaves me feeling fulfilled, it does occur to me from time to time (usually at 1a.m. when I’m still browsing baby sites) that maybe…I need a little “me” time.

Before little Calvin came into the world, I was quite religious about bi-weekly mani/pedis.  I looked forward to this time all to myself when I could stow my cell phone in the bottom of my handbag and turn off for a little while.  I didn’t have to think about work, or any of the stresses in my life, I could just be.  While I have managed to squeeze in a total of two…yes TWO pedicures in seven months (manicures are out of the question with a baby in the household), I do need to focus on spending more time doing things that aren’t all baby-esque. 

  

I think part of the reason I don’t do more for myself is because I truthfully enjoy spending as much time as I can at home with my son.  When I do break down and get a babysitter, or Ben is able to watch him for a couple hours I spend much of my time apart from my little one staring at my phone waiting for the “he fell asleep without any tears” text.  I should also note that I read as many parenting books as I could prior to becoming a mother and each one noted the importance of allocating time away from all things baby for at least some time every week.  While this widely circulated advice still regularly torments me, I can say with absolute certainty that mommy guilt is a very real phenomenon. 

In an effort to truly incorporate change into my life, I have made a promise to myself to spend at least five hours a week doing something just for me.  This doesn’t necessarily need to involve calling up a babysitter, but it should involve stepping away from all things baby for a short while; after all who doesn’t love looking down at freshly painted piggies….I mean TOES once in a while?

I’ll update you on my progress in a couple of months!  How do you spend your time away from your little?  Thank you once again for visiting!