Finding Time for Self-Care Amidst Perimenopause and Single Parenting: A Journey to Prioritize Myself
- Thread starter mabelight
- Start date
@amirbekhit can I ask what oil u use?
amirbekhit
New member
I've started making a list of things that make me feel really happy. Not all are suitable for your time frame but maybe u could start a happy list so u have ideas to pull out if u do find u have extra time. We home educate so my kids are with me pretty much all the time too but we all go and do our own thing for about an hour in the afternoon. On my list is- making homemade soup, sitting/lying outside with the sun on my face, making homemade chai, dancing to my favourite music, knitting. There are more but these are my favs. Yesterday, what I needed was a nap so that is what I did! I have to admit that screentime for the kids allows me to have this time for myself. Without it I would struggle 
Great that you’ve made that time for yourself! For me sometimes self care comes in the form of batch cooking healthy meals, not that I enjoy the task at the time, but that I recognise my mood and well-being is so much better when I am eating well. It feels like the greatest self care of all when I whip that meal out of the freezer and don’t have to cook again xx
badlydrawnshirts
New member
Join youth zone your child will love it £5 a year membership 50p entry full day childcare £20 witch give them meals this will give you a little me time and a happy child xx
alexia67980
New member
It can be so hard but is so important. I used to always feel like I didn't have time and like it was an added burden on top of an already packed day. Then I started getting up at 6.30 to do a workout. It's not always easy getting up but I feel so much better for doing it and miss it now when I don't. I have also started reading before bed instead of scrolling on my phone. I used to devour books and it's one of my favourite hobbies. It's been so nice getting back to that. I know some people can't cope with a messy house but I have decided it's the lowest thing on my priority list and do enough so it's not a complete disaster as that also effects my mental health but I don't beat myself up or kill myself to keep it gleeming. Try to find what small changes you can make that will make a difference for yourself.
I had therapy for a whole last year and she kept telling me I need to find time for self care. I don't disagree but I don't think I'm the only mum who has put so much of herself aside I really don't know what self care looks like any more.
So this is just to say I'm with you. And your son is right, so follow his lead. I was sick over the weekends so I told my kids they could do whatever (they watched a movie) and I went for a lie down. Afterwards they said it was the best Easter ever, so it goes to show it doesn't hurt them to look after yourself sometimes
So this is just to say I'm with you. And your son is right, so follow his lead. I was sick over the weekends so I told my kids they could do whatever (they watched a movie) and I went for a lie down. Afterwards they said it was the best Easter ever, so it goes to show it doesn't hurt them to look after yourself sometimes
onlinestores
New member
Big hugs, I totally get where you're coming from, everyone in my house has "me time" and I honestly don't know what "me time" would entail for myself! I quite often feel like a spare part, I never seem to be able to find a way to relax, I feel guilty quite often if I'm just being "lazy", I too am perimenopausal, I don't seem to have the patience to just sit and do a jigsaw or properly watch a film, I'm nearly always doing something else at the same time. I've got £60 worth of massage vouchers sitting on the mantelpiece that I got for my birthday back in Feb, I still haven't booked them, I don't even know when I will get around to doing that, but I know I definitely DO need to get that massage! I think maybe that's the way forward, do something for just you, that is outside the home, go to a class, (me and my son go to spin-class once a week) something that means you can't stop and do the washing up or whatever .... I hope you keep up with that 30 mins of you-time xx
@onlinestores make an appointment with yourself .. Keep that Appointment 
. Remember you can not Drink from a Empty Glass 
. Take care 
. Remember you can not Drink from a Empty Glass . Take care @dustcakes thankyou, going to give this a try, we can all find time for this! 
noneedforaname
New member
I've been following a nutritional program by
@bailey1993 which is specifically aimed at women. I'm finding I have more energy & less brain fog.
Might be worth looking into ...
@bailey1993 which is specifically aimed at women. I'm finding I have more energy & less brain fog.
Might be worth looking into ...
I too am a woman of a certain age and have a special-needs teenager who is very high maintenance. In my 50th year I started the couch to 5K app. I’ve always hated running, but the app is a very gradual introduction to running 5K over 9 weeks (took me longer).  I’ve been jogging for nearly two years now. I find it easier to keep up than going to the gym as you can just put your trainers by the front door and fit in a 30 minute run here and there . I try and do it three times a week (doesn’t always work out that way). it’s definitely made a big difference to my mental health. I feel so much more positive and calm after I’ve done a run- less brain fog and anger and more energy. I will aim to maintain for long as my pelvic floor allows. 
neomedipharm
New member
Me.time wheny.daughters were small and I was on my own was a beautiful bath. Music, candles, book, wine, tea whatever I fancied. I'd put the girls to bed and retreat to the bath.