Another new day, another new start. 'Me time' - What's that again?

OKAY, so November wasn't a cracker and nor were December or much of January so far. But I feel fine, still fatter than I'd like to be, but fine nevertheless.

I had a lovely day in a gym yesterday - all day. I had a back massage, facial, swim, a go in the steam room and sauna, you name it. I've never done anything like that in my life before - I would have felt far too guilty. I remember wanting to go swimming when my daughters were tiny and setting off to go and do it by myself having sorted out the childcare. Thing was, when I got there, the pool was closed. I burst out crying - so rare and so treasured was my 'me time.'

As my girls grew older, I can remember being in the pool and as I went up and down, again by myself, I started to tot up in my head how much money I could be earning if I had my head down at a computer instead of bobbing along in the water. I didn't go much after that. I felt too guilty - and hungry to make some money. If someone at that time had said to me 'right you have the day to yourself, you don't have to look after Emily and Melissa and you don't have to go to work ' I wouldn't have known what the hell to do.

I was a workaholic before I had my children and that madness doesn't go away the minute you hold two babies in your arms. I took nine months off before going back to work a day a week, building it up to three then cutting back again - it was just too much for me, with baby twins. But I planned and plotted how hard I was going to work in the years to come - albeit around my children.

My reasons for working changed, though - putting them first I thought, and sort of forgetting about me.

Now I'm 40, d'you know what I'm thinking sod it. Can I say out loud "I deserve this me-time"? Well yes I think I can. Phew that took a while.

Comments

[katie]

I think 'me time' is so important... Your day to yourself sounds fab! Are you going to make it a monthly habit? I really think pampering yourself is a huge boost to self-esteem, you look better and I suspect it helps you keep on the straight and narrow when it comes to the healthy eating part. I don't have weight issues but in the past I have been so lazy with my appearance... I thought it vain. I find the pampering and eating healthy make you feel like you are looking after yourself - inside and out - and I find it is a huge boost overall to my confidence...