Take a Breather

I've been seriously contemplating the fact that I quite literally am alone about 20 minutes each week. That's IT. Now I know that anyone who reads this and is a parent (though I myself am not) can relate. I came up with my April goal to spend one whole day alone, completely alone. That has yet to happen, but I promise to write all about it when it does! In the meantime I have started brainstorming ideas for little ways to include some ME time in my life. For example, I usually fold my clean laundry on the floor in the livingroom. This is a very stressful chore for me usually because Katie absolutely LOVES to come running through my freshly folded clothes, my mom is usually talking up a storm, the TV is on in the background, dogs are chasing each other around me in circles... You get the idea. Today I got home from work and took my dry clothes out of the dryer and it hit me, HEY there's no law saying I HAVE to fold my clothes in the livingroom. So I took my clothes to my room, turned on my brand new Tim McGraw CD that I barely EVER get the chance to listen to, and I sat on my bed and folded my clothes in peace. I took my sweet time, which amounted to about twenty minutes, and felt much better afterword. Its amazing what twenty minutes alone will give your peace of mind. I decided to post the things that I focused my mind on while doing my laundry and relaxing:

• The Beach
• Sand between my toes
• Coconut scented sunscreen
• Laying in the hot sun in my bikini
• Strawberry Lemonade
• Trees swaying in the hot summer wind.
• The way Aloe feels on a fresh sunburn.

The lesson I'm taking away from this is that it may seem like there just ISN'T enough time in the day, but you CAN make that time for yourself that you need. Yes, it might involve doing a chore that is necessary at that moment but take a breather, do it alone, put on the TV or some music and just daydream for a minute. Remember high school when the cute teacher would talk and you would suddenly find yourself immersed in a faraway place? Take a breather and let yourself go there again, just a few minutes here and there will give you so much.