This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of PEOPLE®, InStyle®, and Sunset®. The opinions and text are all mine.
It’s funny how the idea of “me time” never even crosses your mind before you have kids. All of your time is exactly that, your time. Time to do all the things you want and need to do. I vaguely remember those days. Sleeping in on the weekends, then meeting friends for brunch. Running a few errands followed by window shopping for hours just to kill time. Oh how I took those days for granted!
Flash forward to life with kids where everyday starts bright and early and feels like a race with time to get everything done. My planner is filled with meetings, play-dates, doctors and dentist appointments. Then there’s the whole list of daily tasks that take up every minute in between.
SELF-CARE IS SO IMPORTANT, MOMMAS!
I’ve learned the hard way that you have to make time for yourself if you want to be a good mom. And isn’t that really what we all want, mommas? We do all the things and take care of everyone else because we want to be the best mom we can be. We let the mom guilt trick us into thinking we need to give our family every bit of our time and attention and leave nothing for ourselves.
WAYS TO RELAX AND TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF
It’s hard to break the cycle, but I promise you it’s essential to living a good life. You need to schedule time for yourself the same way you pencil in all the other priorities in your calendar. Whether it’s just a few hours away each week to go to lunch with a friend, take a yoga class or get your nails done. Maybe you just want some quiet time at home to catch up on Netflix and relax. Maybe you just want a hot bath and a nap! Whatever feeds your soul, do it!
My favorite way to unwind and enjoy some time to myself is to lounge by the lake with a glass of sweet tea, a good read and something to nibble on. There’s just no better way to soak up all the glory of summer than sitting by the water and sipping something delicious.
SWEET TEA RECIPE (SOUTHERN STYLE)
This recipe makes one gallon of delicious sweet tea. You’ll need
- 8 single-cup tea bags
- 2 cups of sugar
- large pitcher
Bring 4 cups of water to boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Cover and let tea bags steep for 15 minutes.
Grab a large pitcher. Combine 2 cups of sugar with 3 cups of hot tap water. Stir until sugar dissolves completely. When tea has finished steeping add to pitcher. Add more sugar till mixture is desired sweetness. Cover and refrigerate.
MY FAVORITE EASY SUMMER READS
I always pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE magazine when I’m shopping for groceries at Safeway. When I have a little “me time” I love to just sit outside and flip through the pages and catch up on celebrity gossip and the latest trends. It’s easy, enjoyable reading that fits my whole relaxation vibe.
Isn’t it funny how sometimes it’s the smallest of things that can recharge your batteries and make you feel like you again. Simple pleasures like reading a magazine or sitting outside enjoying the sound of silence. I’m telling you, mommas, give yourself a break and make time for things that are just for you and you will be a better mom, a better wife and a happier person.
You can visit your local participating Safeway/Jewel-Osco/Vons/Pavilions/Tom Thumb/Randall’s/Shaw’s/Star Market/Carr’s/Acme Market to receive $2 J4U/MyMixx offer on PEOPLE, InStyle, and Sunset. Use this link for the coupon at Jewel-Osco and this link for the coupon at your local Safeway banner store.
GIVEAWAY! WIN A $50 ALBERTSON’S GIFTCARD
Which magazine do you like to read while enjoying some “Me Time”: PEOPLE, InStyle, Style Watch®, Real Simple®, Sunset, or Southern Living®? Tell me why it’s your favorite in the comments and you’ll be entered to win a $50 Albertsons gift card.
I am the same. But instead of sweet tea, i take a glass of wine or a glass of super cold fizzy drinks and lots of snacks 🙂
I think it’s so important to take some time out for yourself! Looks like you’ve got a pretty good set up worked out here – especially with the icecream sandwich haha
This is amazing! I think it’s awesome that you shared these because moms definitely deserve to take a break and focus on themselves for once. Me time is essential and no matter how you spend it, you should feel rested and relaxed afterwards.
Self care is definitely important. We have to take time to ourselves to relax and enjoy downtime with just us. Reading, music, bubble bath or even a nice walk.
Reading People magazine is definitely one of my guilty pleasures. There’s something so mindless about it that it just becomes so relaxing. Love the sweat tea recipe. Such a great summer drink.
Self care is important! And grabbing a magazine, a tea (or wine!) and relaxing on your own is so good for self care!
Enjoying a good magazine with a yummy snack and drink is heaven! I love to get lost in the pages of mags like these.
This so timely because I was just thinking that I needed to find some time for me. I have a subscription to US weekly and they have been piling up because now that it’s Summer, I have no time to read them.
Looks like all the perfect things to enjoy some down time!! You had me at sweet tea, but I’ll gladly take that cookie too! 😉
I love Southern Living and Real Simple! I would love some time to sip some iced tea and a read a good magazine!
That is the same exact sweet tea recipe I use. It truly is perfect to drink on a hot summery day.
People magazine is full of entertaining stuff.
Give me a good book and a glass of chilled white wine and I am in heaven.
It’s so important to remember to take time for yourself. I had a melt down earlier this week and feeling resentful for no reason, but there was a reason… I had been doing for everyone else and hadn’t been doing for me. So I took the afternoon off and treated myself to a mani/pedi and got my hair done. I came home a renewed woman.
Southern Living is my favorite of the magazines listed. I love the variety of recipes and have made many of them.
I like your setting! The lake, ice tea, a magazine and a delicious cookie. YUM! My kinda “me time”.
I am such a fan of southern living and real simple. I love all the recipes they share. Sweet tea is also a great way to sip away the afternoon with a good book.
I like reading People Magazine when enjoying some ‘me time’ because it’s juicy and always interesting. I love reading about different celebrities and news/gossip.
I have a friend who’s always talking about how important it is to dedicate her time to her family, but I never really know what to think about it. I’ll make sure to share this with her!
I just moved to the south so I’ve been looking for a killer sweet tea recipe! I can’t wait to try this one out!
I’m not huge on the celebrity magazines, but I really like those that are focused on wellness or psychology.
I love a good magazine, but I honestly can’t even remember the last time I purchased one! I 100% believe in “me time” although it doesn’t happen often.
i love a good sweet tea in the summer time! great recipe and the sweet treat tops it off.
I don’t know if this is still open but I like to read People the most for my Me Time. I like learning about the different people featured.