Me Time: A Mom’s Battle for Balance

I’ll be honest—writing this brings tears to my eyes because I don’t do a great job at taking “me time.” I know how important it is, but I get lost in the pull of everything else—family, work, the dogs (who seem to have no concept of personal space), and the endless to-do list that never shrinks.

I’m an introvert, which makes this even more complicated. I crave alone time, but I also love my family deeply. I want to see my friends, but I also tend to be a workaholic. And when I finally do get a moment alone? Half the time, I go catatonic, drained from trying to be everything to everyone. The hours slip away, lost in the noise of my own exhaustion.

The Struggle of Finding True Me Time

There are a million ways we, as moms, can nurture ourselves—taking a walk, dancing in the kitchen, reading a book, sinking into a hot bath, swimming, gardening, crafting, or grabbing coffee with a bestie. And yet, for me, none of it really feels like me time unless I completely step out of my environment. I work from home, and everywhere I go in my house, I see a project. A mess to clean, a bill to pay, a task unfinished. Even if I’m alone, I don’t feel alone.

I know I complicate my own rest. I forfeit it, telling myself that my kids and husband need me, that there are things to do, that I’ll get to myself later. But later never comes. And then I wonder why I’m so short-tempered, why I snap when I don’t mean to, why I feel like I’m running on fumes.

Why Me Time Matters (Even When It Feels Impossible)

The truth is, my daughter has always been off living her best life, my oldest son is officially an adult adulting, and my “baby” will be out of the house in 74 days. Seventy-four. I’m holding onto every moment with him, knowing that time is slipping through my fingers faster than I can grasp it. But in doing so, I see the holes in my logic—my kids don’t just need me to be there for them. They need to see what self-care looks like.

Because if I don’t show them that taking time for yourself is important, who will?

If I don’t take care of my mental, physical, and spiritual health, what am I modeling for them? That burnout is the goal? That exhaustion is the standard? That to love others means to neglect yourself?

That’s not the legacy I want to leave.

Redefining Me Time

So, maybe it’s time to redefine what me time looks like. Maybe it’s not an indulgence but a necessity. Maybe it’s not something I “should” do but something I must do—for my own well-being and for the future of my kids who are watching.

For me, that means:

✅ Getting out of the house—whether it’s a walk, a solo coffee run, or just sitting in my car with the radio off.

✅ Setting boundaries with work so I don’t use “being productive” as an excuse to avoid rest.

✅ Not feeling guilty for needing a break—even if the dogs whine at the door, even if my family wants my attention, even if there’s a pile of laundry calling my name.

And most importantly, it means choosing me sometimes. Not in a selfish way, but in a way that fills me up so I can pour into my family from a place of abundance rather than depletion.

You Deserve It Too, Mama

If you’re reading this and feeling the same weight, I want you to know—you’re not alone. You’re not failing for feeling tired. You’re not selfish for needing space.

Your family wants the best version of you, not the burnt-out, overextended, emotionally drained version. And the only way to give them that is to take care of yourself first.

So, let’s do this together. Let’s stop putting ourselves last. Let’s take the walk, drink the coffee, book the weekend away (yes, I said weekend). Because we deserve it. And because the people we love need to see what it looks like to love ourselves too.

I’d love to hear from you! Have thoughts, questions, or just need another mama’s perspective? Drop me a line and let’s connect—together, we can navigate this wild journey of motherhood and figure it out one step at a time.

Love Mom

Davindia