Being a mom is like being a juggler in a circus—but instead of balls, you’re juggling toddlers, snacks, laundry piles, and the endless messes and spills. Now throw in your desire (or need) to do some work, whether for someone else or for yourself, and heeeey there! Welcome to the Olympics of multitasking! It’s a wild ride, but the magic lies in figuring out how to actually take some me-time without the guilt or chaos that follows. Trust me—this is more than just balancing; it’s an art and a science.
So grab a lukewarm coffee (because let’s be honest, that’s the only way we drink it now), and let’s dive in to creating more me-time for moms.
Step One: Embrace the Chaos (It’s Coming for You Anyway)
I used to think being organized meant having a spotless house, a fridge full of organic vegetables, and kids who never melted down in grocery stores. HA. Nope. Organization, for me, is now a combination of:
- Hiding toys behind furniture to “clean.”
- Writing half of my to-do lists on the back of crayon-stained receipts.
- And accepting a half-clean house as the new “exceptionally tidy”.
Honestly, accepting the chaos is step one in balancing anything. But the trick is strategic chaos. Not everything can (or needs to) be perfect, but knowing where to cut corners gives you more time to sneak in self-care. Which leads us to…
Step Two: Redefine What Me-Time Actually Means
Gone are the days when “me-time” meant leisurely brunches or binge-watching Netflix uninterrupted. These days, it’s more like locking yourself in the bathroom with a face mask while tiny fingers poke under the door chanting, “Mooommm, where are youuu?”
And you know what? I’ve made peace with that. Because sometimes, my “me-time” is just sitting in the car for 5 extra minutes after a grocery run, scrolling Instagram, pretending I have no responsibilities. (Those 5 minutes? Therapy.)
The trick is learning to expand the definition. Meditation? Sure, that counts. But so does slathering coconut oil on your legs while yelling at your kids to stop colouring on the walls (true story).
Step Three: Eat Like You Actually Love Yourself
As a holistic nutritionist, I’ve talked a lot about “mindful eating” and “honouring your hunger cues.” But let’s be real—sometimes my lunch is whatever’s left of my kids’ gluten-free pizza, because life happens.
However, I’ve discovered that when I prioritize feeding myself—like, with actual adult food—I feel way better. No, you don’t have to make Instagram-worthy Buddha bowls, but let me tell you: It takes 60 seconds to throw some almond butter on toast and sprinkle hemp hearts on it like you know what you’re doing.
Bonus tip: Batch-make peanut butter balls. Your kids will think they’re candy, and you’ll have something sustaining to shove in your mouth between kitchen cleanup and diaper changes. Everyone wins.
Step Four: Master the Art of the Casual (and Confident) “No”
Once you become a mom, people seem to think you have endless amounts of free time to bake cookies, volunteer for school events, and host playdates where toddlers smear yogurt all over your couch. Spoiler alert: you do not.
Here’s what I’ve learned: Saying “no” is a life skill. It’s like lifting weights for your soul. Every time you say no to something you don’t actually want to do, you’re saying yes to you.
- “Sorry, I can’t bake 24 organic cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.” (Translation: The store-bought ones will be fine.)
- “Nope, I can’t host a playdate today.” (Translation: If I hear Baby Shark one more time, I’ll combust.)
Saying no creates time for the things that fill your cup—whether that’s yoga, binge watching Love is Blind, or just lying on the floor in silence for 10 minutes. Whatever works.
Step Five: Lower the Bar (Then Lower It Some More)
Here’s the truth: There’s no magical balance between mom life and me-time. The scales will always tip—sometimes toward you, and sometimes toward a midnight laundry session because someone thought it was funny to put yogurt in their sock drawer (it wasn’t).
You’re not failing if things feel messy. You’re human. The goal isn’t to perfectly balance everything; it’s to show up, do your best, and let go of the rest. Some days you’ll crush it. Other days, dinner will be cereal, and you’ll have to cancel plans because your “me-time” turned into “I-need-to-binge-watch-The-Bachelor-or-I-might-scream” time.
And that’s okay. Kids need to see their moms as real people—people who rest, mess up, and need space too. You’re modeling balance by doing it imperfectly. (You’re welcome, future emotionally-intelligent adults.)
Final Thoughts: Dance Through the Mess
At the end of the day, balancing motherhood and me-time isn’t a perfectly choreographed ballet. It’s more like doing the macarena at a wedding after two glasses of champagne. Messy. Fun. Full of questionable moves—but still a good time.
So, here’s to you, mama. May your coffee be hot (or at least above room temp), may your leggings stay clean (for at least 30 minutes), and may you always find little pockets of joy—and healthy snacks—wherever you can.
So take that bath, sneak in a meditation, or hide in the pantry if you have to. Whatever you do, make time for you.
Because you’ve got this. Even when you think you don’t. Especially when you think you don’t. It’s true what they say – the kids are only little once, and this won’t last forever. Let’s embrace and accept – and become way happier moms for having done it.