What if you had personal time to yourself everyday?
How would that work for you?
Would you learn a new hobby? Or just enjoy the peaceful time alone?
Most of us have our kid’s routines down pat, but as individual women, we rarely focus on our own personal routines.
We have a tendency to let our needs succumb to the endless piles of laundry and dishes.
And it sure is exhausting!
When you’ve intended to pluck your eyebrows for weeks and you’ve had a book sitting on your nightstand for months; it seems as if you will never have time to get anything done.
And that’s why you need your own personal routine!
WHAT EXACTLY IS A PERSONAL ROUTINE?
A personal routine simply is any amount of time that you devote to yourself each day.
No kids, no husband, and no working. It helps keep your life balanced so you can avoid mommy burnout.
How you spend that time is entirely up to you…
You can decide what you’re going to focus on based on areas of your life that are lacking.
If you’re feeling stressed, you can practice yoga or meditate.
Or if you’ve been extra bored, you could learn something new.
All that matters is that you stay consistent, just like you would any other routine.
You may be wondering how a personal routine can help you stay sane and live a more balanced home life?
Let’s get right into it!
Take It a Step Further with a Free Weekly Planner!
#1 – A PERSONAL ROUTINE GIVES YOU FREEDOM FROM DIAPERS & TOYS
I don’t know about you, but as a mom of 4, I have VERY little time to myself, let alone much time to focus on anything that I would actually like to do.
And it’s been that way for as long as I can remember.
When my first two children were babies, I never gave much thought to who I was or who I wanted to be. Motherhood was my primary focus and I let all of my hobbies and desires slip through the cracks.
But that’s not sustainable. It wasn’t long before I slipped into a deep depression, and eventually, Mommy Burnout.
I was stressed out, frustrated, and irritable. ALL THE TIME.
Every single night, I fell asleep sitting up on the couch, with Legos scattered everywhere.
And before I knew it, it was morning. My kids and I would go through our usual routine of breakfast, playtime, lunch, and then nap.
And I’d fall asleep again right along with them.
Before I knew it, it was time to go back to work.
My hair never got washed and I never truly got anything done.
But once I started focusing on myself, I felt like myself again! Suddenly, I was more than “just a mom”.
Following a personal routine gave me freedom from diapers and toys (and boogers and sippy cups). And to be honest, I think that was all I truly needed – time alone.
If you’ve been feeling frustrated or irritable, a personal routine will do wonders for your happiness!
It might seem strange at first to let the housework slide just so you can focus on yourself.
But the cleanest home in the world won’t make a bit of difference if you’re struggling on the inside.
And 20 years from now, you will feel happier having prioritized yourself over a clean home!
So carve out designated time for yourself at least once a day.
And make a point to do it every day.
Of course, there’s a good chance your kids will start hopping all over you, begging for your attention. But don’t let that stop you.
If you stay consistent, they will gradually realize that “mommy time” will only last a few minutes.
And they will eventually make the connection that “mommy time” equals a happier, more engaged mommy.
Taking time for yourself satisfies your need for self-care, and in turn, creates more time to spend with your kids.
#2 – ROUTINES ENCOURAGE GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
You don’t only have to use your personal routine for time alone. You can also use it to concentrate on personal growth and development.
When I made the choice to focus on my personal growth in place of TV, I finally felt like my life had a purpose.
It wasn’t long before it became my favorite time of the day!
Is there a hobby you’ve been secretly dreaming of trying? What’s holding you back? Get started today!
Practice your new hobby each night before bed.
10-15 minutes is all you need!
Taking the time to learn new things is an easy way to balance the mundane parts of motherhood.
#3 – THEY MAKE UNDESIRABLE SITUATIONS MORE CONTROLLABLE & PREDICTABLE
I’d be lying if I said that being a mom is peachy keen.
While I wouldn’t change motherhood for a second, the demanding aspects definitely wear me down.
You know what I mean:
- When you want to use the restroom in peace and quiet, but the children of the corn want to wash their hands and brush their teeth.
- Or when you’re exhausted and can’t keep your eyes open, but your preschooler keeps slapping you in the face to wake you up.
Those are the kind of days that need an instruction manual!
If you experience those days fairly often in your home, you need a personal routine!
When it seems like there’s no end in sight….
A personal routine gives you something to look forward to.
Knowing that you will eventually be able to retreat to your room and do your own thing is the light at the end of the tunnel.
Something as simple as planning the coming week, writing in your bullet journal, practicing yoga, or simply washing your face may be all you need to recharge.
Take It a Step Further with a Free Weekly Planner!
Use your weekly planner to map our your personal routine and hold yourself accountable!
#4 – A PERSONAL ROUTINE ALLOWS YOU GUILT-FREE TIME TO YOURSELF
My favorite part of a personal routine is that I don’t feel guilty about it.
When I want time to myself to watch TV or check social media, I always feel guilty because there are a hundred other things that I should be doing.
Laundry, dishes, and laundry, just to name a few.
But taking time for myself? I don’t feel guilty at all!
I know how important it is for my well-being, so I can freely prioritize time to myself without worrying about #allthethings.
But I do understand that this isn’t easy to do at first. When you’re first getting started with your personal routine, you could take some alone time to catch up on your family budget after dinner.
This way, you will still be focusing on something productive, but you’ll also be taking some much-needed quiet time to yourself.
Since you can’t really focus on your budget while your kids are running circles, you can let your family know that you need time to figure out the bills. And then find a quiet space to do what you need to do. Kid-free and guilt-free.
Or you can make your health a priority since healthy habits are a critical part of our well-being and happiness.
If you’re not big on fitness, find some beginner yoga videos or practice meditation.
Whatever you choose, be sure to ignore that housework every now and then and focus on yourself!
#5 – A PERSONAL ROUTINE ENCOURAGES HEALTHY, LIFELONG HABITS
I must admit that after I had been practicing my personal routine for a few weeks, I was running out of things to do.
But I didn’t want to give up my alone time. And I definitely didn’t want to waste it sleeping and/or watching TV.
So in order to keep the momentum going, I found new and productive ways to spend my time.
I learned how to meditate and I started reading more, a lot more. Eventually, I started to learn new things, like the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset.
It wasn’t long before it became my favorite time of the day!
Have you been wanting to read more? This is your chance! Get started today!
Within a few days, you’ll start to crave your personal time. Meaning, you will actually look forward to your alone time, even if you’re only reading a few pages of a book.
By spending time reading every day, it will eventually turn into a lifelong habit. And that will serve you well for the rest of your life!
Whether you’re a stay at home mom or a working mom, free time is something you have to actively work for.
In any case, making time for yourself every day is a crucial part of long-term happiness.
Following your own personal routine is a fantastic way to take care of your needs and create a balanced, harmonious life.
HERE’S WHAT TO DO NEXT
Get started today by creating a mini routine with a couple of habits or hobbies that you want to practice.
Use the alarm on your phone to remind you when it’s time for your personal routine.
Good luck!
And don’t forget to download your free weekly planner bundle!
There are four pages to help you plan out your entire week.
Map our your kid’s school assignments, daily household tasks, and your personal routine! 👇
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