Motivational Monday {Linky Party} -Taking care of yourself for a change

Being a mother is a full-time job regardless if you’re a full-time working mum, work-at-home mum, part-time working mum or a stay-home mum. Just ask any mum, and they’ll tell you that the phrase “working mum” is a rhetorical term. As mum, we are all things to everyone with a thousand and one things screaming for our attention everyday.

For the past few weeks, I struggled with work-life balance with long hours at work in order to meet deadlines. On top of that I felt that I was neglecting my blog and questioned if I could find time to maintain a blog. Contrary to what many people think, writing a blog post is not just about some words and some photos and I do put in time and effort into mine.

Many a times, I returned home feeling exhausted and even ended up taking out my frustrations on Alexis and Sophie. That was when I knew I needed a time-out, to slow down and focus on taking care of myself because frankly my family deserves to retreat to a happy home starting with a happy and positive mum.

I decided then that I have to start taking care of myself for a change and not get lost in the whirl of things. So if you’re in need of a mummy break, here are 5 five simple things you can do too.

 

  1. Making time for exercise

Who has time for exercise, you may ask? But the question is, can you afford not to since you already know the benefits from it? After completing the Jurong Lake Run, my exercise regime got neglected as I got busy at work. It proved to be a mistake as I felt more lethargic and no amount of caffeine could keep me perked up.

In order for me to keep to my exercise plans, the best way is to set aside time for exercise is in the morning.  That way, I don’t have to allow my work schedule to derail my exercise plans. Give yourself a target to work towards, be it losing x kg, completing 3k in x minutes. And yes, I have to start training for the Vertical Marathon 2012 that’s in November and Alexis has agreed to take up the challenge with me!

  1. Eating well

I was reminded of the importance of feeding my body well when I saw Cedele’s motto at lunch one day “Eat well, be well”.

How true and how I needed that reminder to feed my body well as I’m a victim of emotional eating whenever I get stressed. And the best way to feed my body well is to make wise food choices starting from cooking my own meals. It can be tougher for working mums, but with advanced menu planning, it’s possible and I hope to get back in the cooking groove.

  1. Doing things that I enjoy  

A visit to the hair salon always makes me feel like a million bucks. With a few snips, a new hair color, I walked out feeling like a changed person. Makes me wonder why I don’t do this often enough.

 

Over the weekends, I finally bought a oven, a decision that I deliberated for a long time. I enjoy baking but have not been able to do so as my oven (convection feature in my microwave oven) often failed me. This reminded me that I have set this as one of my goals for this year – to take time for myself doing the things that I enjoy 🙂

  1. Re-connecting with friends

Now that I have a breather at work, I’ve been catching up with different groups of friends for lunch.

Having a chocolate date with the other blogging mums

I’m always so thankful for my friends who have been a tremendous source of support in my life and as fellow mums, we keep reminding each other that we are still individuals with our own dreams and interest. It’s always great to be reminded that we are more than just mums.

  1. Filling up on God’s word

Most important of all, I know that when I’m taking care of myself, God is taking care of me too. In my moments of busyness, it’s easy to allow my heart to get discouraged and get stuck in negativity. But after these weeks, I have been reminded that God is my ultimate resting place and His Word is designed to fill me up.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest – Matthew 11:28

 I was greatly encouraged by this verse knowing that my rest comes from God and only He can truly meet all my needs.

I came across this quote and would like to share it with you “Life is for Living”. So in moments when you feel overwhelmed with all your cares and worries, remember that you only have this one life to live. So live it fully and make it count!

How have you been taking a time out for yourself? And if you’re already feeling a pang of guilt thinking about it, DON’T! You need one and deserve one in order to be a better mum 🙂

 

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Do link up for my Motivational Mondays post and share a motivational post or even a goal that you have set for yourself for the week.

Don’t forget to grab my badge below and include it in your post after you have linked up and leave me a comment too. I will be hosting Motivational Monday every week and I hope that you can all join me every Monday. Have a great week ahead!

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  1. Stephanie August 27, 2012 at 11:28 am Reply

    Love all of these ideas! It is definitely true that a happy mom is a better mom. That’s so exciting that you have a new oven! Baking/cooking is such a wonderful hobby and it’s fun to get the kids involved too. 🙂

    • Susan August 28, 2012 at 7:49 am Reply

      I’m really looking forward to bake with Sophie especially since she’s taken an interest to it after having a baking session in her child care last week. In fact, shes’s requested to bake cupcakes for her teachers on Teacher’s Day. I’m heading to your blog for recipes 🙂

  2. AI Sakura August 27, 2012 at 11:59 am Reply

    great tips Susan.. hope work this week will not be too stressful for you. I’ve an appointment with my hair salon this friday and I’m totes excited! You look really good with your new haircut btw 🙂 I saw your pix previously but wasn’t sure if you were just tying it up heh

    • Susan August 28, 2012 at 7:51 am Reply

      Thanks Ai. I’m allowing myself some rest before the busy period starts again in September 🙂
      I’m getting used to my new haircut too. Are you going for a haircut too?

  3. Dominique@Dominique's Desk August 27, 2012 at 12:23 pm Reply

    Glad to read that you are taking time out for yourself and slowing things down.

  4. pc August 27, 2012 at 2:49 pm Reply

    Love your new look! very refreshing;)!

  5. June August 27, 2012 at 3:44 pm Reply

    After weeks of disturbed sleep (baby-related), I just can’t wait to re-charge. We mums do need to *put in effort* to take care of ourselves! It’s ironic but when we let ourselves (sanity, emotional well-being) go haywire, everything kinda goes downhill. Am also reminded to refresh myself in God and to be more intentional in spending time reading the bible. I’m with you! 🙂

    • Susan August 28, 2012 at 11:15 am Reply

      Yes you’re right that it does take effort to recharge ourselves. A sleep debt is always hard to make up. Hope Javier gives mummy more restful nights.

  6. Gigi August 27, 2012 at 3:50 pm Reply

    Totally agree that we need to live and eat well. I’m thinking when was the last I visited the manicurist?

    A happy mum makes a happy family! Thanks for this reminder 🙂

  7. Summer August 27, 2012 at 6:14 pm Reply

    nice new hair! Woooo great to have an oven at home! Next time let’s do baking together in sg okie! =)

    • Susan August 28, 2012 at 11:16 am Reply

      Looking forward to it Summer!

  8. Madeline August 27, 2012 at 7:02 pm Reply

    I just commented the same thing on Ruth’s blog that as employee, mum n blogger, we’re holding 3 jobs! It’s not easy but the important thing is not giving up.. Even though we’re soooo tempted to! And I can see u’re still persevering! Let’s jiayou together 🙂

  9. Ruth August 27, 2012 at 8:54 pm Reply

    A great list! Eatingealthily is definitely important in dealing with stress. Sleep does wonders too!

  10. Serenely August 28, 2012 at 8:05 pm Reply

    My favourites would be no. 3 and 4! And no. 5 is an important reminder for me too. Thanks for this.

  11. 2012. September. Day #3 – Far Away | Jayne September 3, 2012 at 10:03 am Reply

    […] post is linked to Motivational Mondays hosted by Susan of A Juggling Mom. Pin ItLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. September 3, […]

  12. […] As a working mom, its hard to find time for myself especially when there are a hundred and one things that demands my attention everyday. But I feel that we should still remember we live for ourselves too and it’s still important that we make an effort to take care of ourselves be it physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. I did an earlier entry about it here. […]

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