Everyone’s all about DIY: do it yourself. There are YouTube videos, television shows, and even whole channels devoted to creating things yourself. But what about DIFY? Do it for yourself. Self-care should be as important as your fight to get the services and resources your child needs to succeed. But if you’re burnt out, exhausted, depressed, you’re not able to be the warrior your child deserves.
Stop and think. How many hours a day are you doing something just for you? Maybe you need to think about it in minutes because it’s that infrequent. Think about your daily schedule. Break it down and try to find time for you.
What kinds of things would you do? Read a novel? Get a massage? Take a bubble bath? There are dozens of monthly subscriptions you could look into: crafts, baking, reading, beauty, photography, art.
Making time for yourself doesn’t have to be dramatic or costly. It can be modifying things that you already do. I’m sure part of what keeps you going involves caffeine. What if you joined a coffee or tea club and took some time each day to enjoy a new brew? Maybe after you drop the kids off at school, you drive to a park and sit on a bench to enjoy the view while you sip. Then continue with your errands of grocery shopping, laundry, or preparing for a bake sale.
Book of the Month Club has been a great purchase, personally. For less than $15 per month, I get to choose from one of five novels each month to be shipped. And if I want to get an additional book? Only $10 more. The books are all hardcover and retail for over $20 each. I’ve purchased at least a dozen books and they all have been page-turners! Why not lay next to your son or daughter while (s)he falls asleep while you mentally escape to a far off land through reading?
I’m also a big fan of the FabFitFun boxes. They’re shipped quarterly and are less than $60 for a box full of regular-sized products. Some of the products allow you to choose and others are a surprise when you get the box. $60 might seem like a lot, but $240 for the year on items that will allow you extra time to yourself adds up fast and, I think, is well worth it.
Checking Groupon for deals is another great way to escape for a while. I’ve found discounts on things like massages and manicures. You could also look into
What are some things you do to regroup and make time for yourself?