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My family hears that phrase a lot from me. Usually it’s when I’m about to go over the edge into a serious mental breakdown. Ok, maybe not so serious, but I do hit that wall of “I’ve had enough!” frequently.
Why is “me time” so important to me? And make no mistake. I think it’s paramount to my survival as a stay at home mom. No doubt about it.
The reason that I need me time is that I’m fairly introverted. I’ve heard it said before that the difference between extroverts and introverts is that extroverts are energized by being around other people, while introverts are drained by too much social interaction.
It’s not that I don’t like being around other people. I do. But I do find that big social outings drain me of energy. Constantly answering the “Why, mom?” questions from my children wears me down. Having friends over for dinner, while enjoyable, takes a lot out of me.
Unlike the extrovert, I am recharged by spending time alone. It doesn’t really matter what I’m doing. Working on my blogs in a quiet house energizes me. Reading a good book relaxes me. Even paying the bills or cleaning the house is enjoyable, as long as I’m home alone.
Fortunately my husband caught on to my need for “me time” shortly after our daughter was born. I still remember the day. It had been a rough day. Liz had cried off and on all day long. I had been a stay at home mom for nearly 4 months, without a break. My husband called me on his way home from work, and the stress in my voice must have been unmistakable.
When he got home, he offered to take our rented movie back to Blockbuster. And he told me he’d take Liz along, too, so I could have a little break. After he dropped off the movie, he called to tell me he was taking Liz to Walmart to look at the toys, so I could have even more “me time”.
I remember breathing a huge sigh of relief that night and totally relaxing for the first time in months. I loved being a mom. I loved staying at home with my daughter. But I needed to recharge. I needed a break.
That night a new tradition was born. Every Friday night my husband takes Liz, and now Sam, too, out, while I stay home alone. Sometimes they go to the park. Sometimes they go out for ice cream. It doesn’t matter to me. I get to be home ALONE!
I don’t do anything special during my “me time”. If I’m motivated, I work. If I’m not, I relax in front of the TV. The important thing is, I’m at home, relaxed, and not responsible for anybody for a couple of precious hours. After my “me time” I’m recharged for another week, and my family learned long ago that I’m much more pleasant when I’ve had a couple of hours to recharge.
“Me time” for mom is a weekly tradition where everyone wins!
This post is part of MamaBlogga’s January Group Writing Project on “Me Time”. For more details, visit MamaBlogga.
Photo by (UB) Sean R.
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Kristi says:
Believe it or not, I think my piano teaching at night serves as my “me time” When I come home after a couple of hours of teaching, I all of a sudden want to read and snuggle with the kids that a few hours before I was so frustrated with that I couldn’t wait to drop them off at the sitter.
I think it’s sweet that your husband takes the kids to give you that time. It’s important for them to have that time together too.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:45 am
Lynnae says:
I’m glad you can recharge during your piano teaching. It’s good to have a break!
February 1st, 2008 at 6:39 am
Deb - Mom of 3 Girls says:
I’m an introvert as well, so I know exactly what you mean. I don’t get a lot of ‘me’ time at home though - I usually have to go out of the house to have ‘alone’ time, which more often than not is while I’m out grocery shopping or running errands after the kids are in bed and Ron’s home at night. I cherish the time that I do get to be home alone though, when I get it!
February 1st, 2008 at 7:42 am
Angie says:
Yes, this one is hard to explain to my hubby of almost 4 years. I LOVE him dearly, and I LOVE our 14 year old son dearly, but sometimes I just need ME time too! I homeschool or son, and babysit a 2 year old BOY, so I am surrounded by testosterone. Every now and then my son needs a break from me (he’s with me pretty much 24/7), and I need a break from everyone. I hope that doesn’t sound too selfish!
I like the thought of not having to do anything, be anywhere, help anyone, fix anything, cook anything, etc.; just for a couple of hours–one night a week.
Hubby takes son to jujitsu on Tuesday nights for about 1-1/2 hours. He usually stops at the grocery store afterwards, so that gives me a little me time, and I relish it.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:31 pm
boomeyers says:
I am so absolutely the SAME way!!! I could just sit by myself and stare at a wall and be happy! Or just wander around the house and just LOOK at all the stuff I need to do and not even worry about it. You can sing, or talk out loud, or do a crazy dance. It is just pleasure of pleasing YOURSELF! But then I think, someday this will be the norm, not the exception and it kind of makes me sad!
February 1st, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Jordan (MamaBlogga) says:
Same here. I need a certain amount of time a day or week or whatever where I am alone and everything is quiet. (And heaven help the cat that decides to freak out during this time!)
Thanks for participating!!
February 4th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
January Group Writing Project Finale | MamaBlogga says:
[…] I Need Some Me Time! by Lynnae […]
February 5th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Tales of life with a girl on the go » Blog Archive » My “me time” is what I make of it says:
[…] I Need Some Me Time! by Lynnae […]
February 5th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
more to read… « writing in the water says:
[…] I Need Some Me Time! by Lynnae […]
February 5th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Results from MamaBlogga’s Me Time Group Writing Project } Group Writing Projects says:
[…] I Need Some Me Time! by Lynnae […]
February 6th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Julie says:
This post was how I found MamaBlogga and the GWP to begin with. I loved this. I never thought about the defintions but they are so true. As an introvert I get very drained the way you shared. Very good post I’ll be thinking on for awhile!
February 7th, 2008 at 11:13 am
And here I was marveling at how healthy my family has been this year…. | From Under the Clutter says:
[…] I Need Some Me Time! by Lynnae […]
February 7th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Jennifer says:
I must be 1/2 and 1/2 introvert / extrovert. Being home alone like I am now basically drives me nuts. It is like I am constantly trying to figure out a place to go when I am home alone. I have to escape.
On the other hand, I also hate large crowds of people. I go to concerts sometimes and I leave very stressed.
I could do dinner every night with small group of friends though and be perfect.
February 10th, 2008 at 4:10 pm