Forget me time, embrace me moments

Having suffered a terrible case of burn-out in 2008, I’m a long-time proponent of the self care movement. I’m going to share a little secret with you. I gave up on “me time” years ago and now I practice “me moments.”

Let’s be honest, ladies. When it comes to self care, most of us don’t have the time, space or moolah for spa treatments, weekends getaways or even long, hot baths. I try to hit the spa maybe once per year and the only professional service I receive regularly is having my eye brows shaped. I DIY the rest. (I give myself a fabulous at-home pedicure monthly, here’s how).

If you wait until you can have a big chunk of “me time,” it will probably never happen! I’m all about taking the pressure off and keeping it simple.

Kudos to you if you practice extreme self care on a regular basis but I’ve found that carving out several “me moments” every day works best for my lifestyle of working from home, being “out there” in the community and raising kids. Even when I don’t have a day or an hour to myself, it refills my cup and reminds me to, well…take care of me.

Me Moments box. Tabitha Dumas — From Blueberry Jam

What are “me moments?”

“Me moments” are simply little snippets of “me time” that are easy to do any time you need a boost. It’s all about regular refreshment, a way to check in with yourself and a great chance to clear your head and breathe. You deserve to be treated well.

It boils down to two things:

You should be able to grab and go quickly and easily, or have moments built into your daily routine (like keeping your “me moments” box stocked as I’ll explain below)
Even if savoring a piece of dark chocolate right before bed is all you do for yourself that day…it’s something.

A little self care is always better than no self care.

Examples:

breathing exercises (really, we all need to breathe more)
a cup of tea
coloring
painting
crafting
clipping and arranging flowers or herbs
reading a magazine
applying a facial mask
sending some snail mail
painting your nails
walking around the block
writing a chapter of your book
aromatherapy
laying in the hammock
blowing bubbles
yoga
nibbling a piece of chocolate
a chat with an old friend
a bath (however long)
make a list (here’s how)
putting an outfit together (here’s how)
working in your smash book (here’s how)
journaling (here’s how)
puttering (here’s how)

I have a tea station set up in my family room so there’s never an excuse to skip tea. It’s part of my tea lifestyle.

Me moments are for women who have a hard time finding me time. By tabithadumas.com — My tea station

“Me moments” are a wonderful day to start (or renew) your self care practice. The more “me moments” you enjoy, the more you’ll appreciate the importance of taking time to care for yourself. It snow balls in the best way. A little chocolate every day and before you know it, you are taking that spa weekend away.

And of course the better you care for yourself, the better you care for others.

Here’s one practical way to do that…

The “me moments” box

Your appointment gets postponed. Your hubby takes the kids to the movies. Your house guests are gone for the afternoon. What do you do??

Take out your “me moments” box!

Also called a “self care kit,” it’s a pretty box, stocked and ready to go any time you get a moment for self care. It’s the place for your bath tea, colored pencils, a special candle, etc. When people ask what to get your for your birthday or Mother’s Day, ask them for “me moment” items! (I have a bunch of ideas below)

This was mine many years ago when I first started practicing self care. You’ll see a magazine, bath tea, a candle, chocolate, foot scrub and bath fizzies.

My favorite boxes have handles and can be found at Ross, TJMaxx, Marshall’s, etc. for less than $10.