Care For You To Care For Others

The quality of your life directly relates to the quality of your mothering.

- Anne Stocks

In the busyness of life, it’s a forgotten dream for many – the magical world of“me-time”. While it’s almost become an annoying cliché to talk about me-time, your own time to do what makes you happy and whole – be it to read a book, meet with friends, exercise, paint, sing or dream – is vital to your health and mental wellbeing. There are never enough hours in the day, and it feels like everyone wants something from you – your partner, your children, your friends and your employer. Even the dog gazes mournfully up at you as you rush in the door, juggling shopping bags and baby paraphernalia. You try and give your all to your children and job, to your household and partner, but in doing so, you neglect yourself. “I don’t have time!” becomes your mantra.

If me-time is a distant memory because you “don’t have time”, take a look at the quality of the time that you are giving others. Are you irritable with your children when they clamber for attention? Do you lash out at your partner, finding fault with what they do or don’t do? Are you spending longer hours at work while achieving less, feeling exhausted and unproductive at the end of the day? Are your close friends drifting away because you never see them?

Making time for yourself can halt the spiral of imbalance that has consequences for the quality of your life, including your family, your relationships, your career and your health. Me-time is not a luxury, but a necessity.