The Best Mother’s Day Gift Ever...Is Giving Yourself the Gift of Time

By Jackie White

Happy Mother’s Day to you! You tirelessly give yourself to others by caring for them in every way. You provide love, hugs, and support every day to your family. You are a superhero! Yay, You!

On Mother’s Day, perhaps your children will make you a card and your spouse will buy you “The World’s Greatest Mom” coffee cup. These things are so precious to you because they have been given with love, but let’s get real, sometimes you get stuff that maybe isn’t so lovely. Take, for example, the year I bought my mom a “Big Mama” soap-on-a-rope. It’s safe to say she didn’t exactly love the sentiment, but nevertheless, it was the thought that counted - right?

However you are celebrated this year, I am going to suggest something special that you should consider. What if you gave yourself a gift? A gift of time. Time just for you. Imagine that! Time in each day just for you. Make it a habit and sprinkle that time throughout the year for respite, self-care, and renewal.

How To Give Yourself Time

First of all, you have to begin this gift by allowing yourself to have permission to take time for yourself. This isn’t about taking time for yourself and feeling guilty about it, rather it is knowing you are worth it and relaxing into self-care.
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1. Get Rid of Time-Wasting Activities: Take a hard look at where you are spending your time and replace the time-wasting activities with something more meaningful for you.
2. Wake Up Earlier: Choose to be a morning person and rise before the chaos begins. Carve out this time for you to take care of yourself whether it be exercising, enjoying your coffee, or just taking in the peace. Don’t use this time for laundry or other household duties.
3. Ask For Help: There is no shame in asking for help! There is also no need for you to do everything. News flash: Spouses and children can help!
4. Hire Help: If you are able, this can be a very good use of funds. You would be surprised to find out how many people are hiring a housekeeper to help out. Hiring a local teen to come on for a lot less money and help with cleaning or babysitting while you take some time for yourself.
5. Make it a Priority: Schedule time in each day or week for you to have me-time. Understand that this is a priority for your own mental health, renewal and in doing so, makes you better for your family.

Make Your Time Count

1. Sacred Time: Identify a block of time, ideally each day, where you allow yourself to do something for yourself. Examples of this might be getting up before everyone each day and enjoying your coffee while reading your book. It could be 20 minutes over lunch when you take a walk.
2. Friend Time: Take the initiative to set up time with your friends to get together and chat, laugh, take a walk and enjoy each other’s company. These times are so good for your soul.
3. Special Time: This can look different for everyone, but essentially you set up a time to do something you love that feels indulgent. It could be getting your nails done, going for a hike, thrift shopping, or getting a massage.
4. Just Be You: Give yourself the time to remember who you are. It is important to connect consciously with ourselves. Do things like meditation, journaling, and expressing yourself in ways that are uniquely you. 
5. Put Yourself on the List: The bottom line is that it is important to put yourself on the list. When you fill your own bucket, you can be better not only for yourself but also for others.

Give yourself the best mother’s day present ever and make time for yourself starting now. 

Happy Mother’s Day and Shine on!