Dear Diary,
Today, I attempted the unthinkable: I went on a mission to find 'me time.' Crazy, right? The very idea feels like it belongs in a sci-fi movie—a parallel universe where mums lounge around in fluffy robes, sipping tea, and doing face masks. Yeah, I’ve seen that universe on Instagram, and it seems magical. But in my reality, the closest I get to 'me time' is a hurried trip to the bathroom, hoping the kids don't stage a full-on search party. But today? Today was different.
9:00 AM: The Shower Saga
Let’s start with my boldest move: a shower. Not just a hop-in-hop-out rinse. I’m talking about a full-on, hair-washing, exfoliating event. I locked the bathroom door like I was guarding the crown jewels and turned on the water, feeling like I’d just won the lottery. The kids were momentarily occupied with a cartoon, and I thought, "This is it. This is my time." And then came the knock. "Mum, are you in there?" Yes, darling, the only other adult in the house magically disappeared. "Mum, I need you!" Need me? Really? We all know 'need' translates to "I want to show you my crayon drawing right this second." But not today. Today, I stood firm. I turned the shower up hotter and let that steam take me away. I imagined I was at a luxury spa, somewhere far, far away where "Mum" isn't the most spoken word in the universe. Two whole minutes of peace. In mum time, that’s practically a weekend getaway.
12:30 PM: The Car Park Retreat
Fast forward to our post-grocery adventure, where I wrangle a toddler and bags of groceries like some sort of reality show contestant. After successfully securing everyone in the car, I just... paused. I took a moment in the driver’s seat, not starting the engine, just... being. It was like an impromptu meditation session. I wasn’t scrolling through my phone, replying to messages, or checking off a to-do list. I was just existing in this little bubble of silence while the kids were mesmerised by the jingly keys or something. That’s when it hit me: 'me time' doesn’t have to be elaborate. Sometimes, it’s just a stolen moment in the car park, where you sit back and think, "Hey, I’m doing alright."
2:00 PM: The Laundry Dance-Off
Back home, I looked at the mountain of laundry waiting to be folded and thought, "You know what? We’re making this fun." I cranked up the music, grabbed the first crumpled T-shirt, and started dancing around the living room like a maniac. My toddler stared at me for a good ten seconds, processing the sheer absurdity of it all. And then she joined in. We had ourselves a full-on dance party, right there amidst the socks and towels. It wasn’t perfect, and it wasn’t planned, but it was us. Spinning around, laughing, creating a memory out of something mundane. And in that ridiculous, messy moment, I found a bit of that elusive 'me time.' Who knew laundry could be the gateway to joy?
4:00 PM: The Culinary Circus
Then came dinner. I decided to turn it into a performance. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the one and only Kitchen Circus!" I announced, pulling out pots and pans with the flair of a magician. My toddler clapped (probably more at the idea of eating soon than my theatrics), but hey, I’ll take it. As I narrated every step like I was on a cooking show, I realised something: This is what 'me time' looks like when you’re a mum. It’s not escaping the chaos; it’s embracing it, making it your own. The kitchen became my stage, the utensils my props, and for a few minutes, I wasn’t just Mum—I was a star.
7:00 PM: The Great Escape
Bedtime finally rolled around, and after the usual battle of "just one more story," the kids were down. I tiptoed out of their room like a ninja, praying the floorboards wouldn't creak and alert them to my escape. Made it to the couch, collapsed, and grabbed my cold cup of tea. No, I didn’t reheat it. At this point, I’m practically a connoisseur of lukewarm beverages.
And here’s the revelation: 'Me time' isn’t always glamorous.
It’s not always bubble baths and zen moments. Sometimes, it's a shower where you actually condition your hair. Sometimes, it's dancing with a laundry basket on your head. And sometimes, it's just sitting in your car, soaking in the silence.
The Real Mum Hack 'Me time' isn’t about the length of the time or the setting; it’s about the mindset. It’s finding joy in the little things, in the ordinary moments. It’s turning chaos into something uniquely yours. It’s about saying, "Yeah, this is madness, but it's my madness, and I'm owning it."
So, here’s to finding those tiny slivers of peace, wherever they are. Whether it's a two-minute shower, a car park retreat, or a laundry rave—grab those moments and make them yours. Because you, dear mum, deserve it.
Until tomorrow's next adventure in the wild world of motherhood,
The Mum Who’s Finding Herself in the Chaos
