Along with almost every comment about the girls being in
school, the question, “What are you going to do with yourself?” usually
follows.
The girls are in school from 9am through noon, Tuesdays and
Thursdays. That’s six hours a week (minus
transit time) apart from my babies. While that sounds like a huge chunk of time, I
knew going in that that time would pass by so quickly.
On their first day of school, there was a brunch for the
parents after drop-off. I spent about 45
minutes there, and then I ran by the grocery store. I came home, dawdled a bit on the computer as
I downloaded pictures from the morning…updated the blog and Facebook with their
“first day of school” pictures…loaded the dishwasher…made lunch…consoled the
cat who didn’t quite understand where her sisters were…and it was time to pick
them up again. Whew!
Maybe I should have felt refreshed with three hours to
myself, but I actually felt pretty harried.
I’m sure part of it was due to my first-day jitters, but that experience
underscored that I want to be more intentional with that time.
I did a better job on Thursday. I went to the grocery store again, this time
with a list. I actually got our family
shopping taken care of for the balance of the week. I came home, put away the groceries, and made
lunch, but I didn’t allow myself to be sucked into the computer. I went to Target to cross a few more things
off my list. And then I dropped off my
things for the fall consignment sale. I
still had time to enjoy a coffee downtown (it just so happens one of my
favorite coffee shops is two blocks from the girls’ school!), and I read my
book for a glorious 30 minutes!
This week I didn’t have any errands to accomplish, so on
Tuesday I decided to treat myself to a “me” day. I enjoyed a long-overdue pedicure…I browsed
at Hobby Lobby (BROWSED!!!)…and I still had an hour, so I treated myself to
lunch at one of my favorite cafes. I
tried to remember…I believe it’s been a full year and a half since I ate lunch
by myself. BLISS!!!
On Thursday, I have a “work” day planned. I need to clean out the guest bedroom (it
tends to suffer when I’m getting ready for a consignment sale), and I need to go
through the girls’ closet to pull out the fall / winter things I bought for
them at the end of last season. Both of
those tasks are very difficult to do with my “helpers”, so I know that will be
time well-spent.
I like that I planned both days this week at the same
time. The “me” time on Tuesday seemed so
luxurious, but I don't feel guilty about it, since I intend to accomplish a lot on
Thursday.
While my babies are apart from me…having fun, playing with
friends, doing messy arts and crafts that don’t require Mommy to take a nerve
pill (HA!)…I’m vowing to be AWARE of this time.
That doesn’t mean it will always be productive – in fact, one day I plan
to NAP! – but I think as long as I feel like I have something to show for the
time, it will feel like a huge “win” for me.
7 comments:
And just think in a few more weeks, you'll be kicking back watching some tv with bon bons in hand hahhaha! Enjoy your "time off"!
That's going to be me in a few more weeks--can't wait! And I have the same problem with the guest room taking a beating when it's consignment sale time. That's another thing I'll be working on while mine are in preschool.
I love Charlene's comment :)
I also love how intentional you're being. YOu sound like me - my perfect downtime is to be both a sloth (not that you are - but I certainly do read a lot mostly when there are kitchens to clean...) and a super-productive person :)
I LOVE this! One day/week for relaxing a bit and the other for getting things done! Sounds like great 'me time'!!
What is the "browsing" of which you speak??? :-)
Glad to see the girls aren't the only ones enjoying the change in schedule!
Oh to browse!!! Jealous!!! =)
I too love how intentional you are being. A pedi is necessary ecery once in a while!!!
When I'm home and Elliott's at school, I spend the entire time watching the clock. It feels like every 5 minutes I'm saying to myself, "OK, I need to leave in 45 minutes to get him....I need to leave in 40 minutes to get him...." and on and on. I'm not very productive because I'm so worried about losing track of the time. (What? Neurotic? Not me.)
Post a Comment