As a mom and military wife, I wear a lot of different hats. But since having my first son two years ago, I have not been successful at wearing my just “me” hat.
I felt selfish for even thinking it but I needed a break! I even started daydreaming about grocery shopping by myself. I began each day with the best intentions but by the time my husband came home, I was fried.
By the end of the day, I am too exhausted to even think about doing anything except crawling into bed and sleeping before someone needs me again. Constantly taking care of everyone else started burning me out and I needed an outlet. Fast!
My husband has always been a morning person who is up at 5 a.m. for PT at work by 7 a.m. Most annoying for me was that he is always so chipper after his workouts.
There is nothing more annoying to a sleep deprived mom then a husband who just slept eight straight, uninterrupted hours and has the energy to work out and be happy. It was driving me crazy!
I tried to get back into running again but was having a hard time motivating myself at the end of the day. For some reason, my kids melt after 4 p.m. It’s a challenge to get dinner on the table by the time my husband is home. I just don’t see how I could leave the house during such chaos to be selfish. Then, I ran one morning before my husband left for work and it actually felt good!
My wonderful husband noticed and made me an appointment at the gym with a personal trainer at 5 a.m. on a Wednesday morning. My first reaction was to smack him. All I could think of was the sleep I would be missing!
But I didn’t want to cancel so that next morning, I woke up at 4 a.m. to be at the gym at 5. I was exhausted. The baby had been up twice and had just fallen back to sleep when I needed to walk out the door. I dragged myself to the gym. I was half asleep but I was there. I had a kick butt workout and afterwards, I felt amazing. I came home refreshed and ready to tackle the day!
It’s been about a month since I started this new routine and I cannot believe I am that person at the gym at 5 a.m.! Don’t give me too much credit, though. I only get up that early a couple of times a week. I used to think people, like my husband who were exercising that early, were crazy.
Exercise has always made me feel better about myself. It’s a stress reliever and helps me make all around healthier choices. But at this point in my life, it’s not just exercise. Taking an hour a day, a few times a week lets me walk away from all of my different roles and let me be myself.
I can check out, knowing my kids are taken care of and focus on myself and my own thoughts. I come home refreshed and happy to see my family and start our day, even if the day goes downhill 20 minutes later with a terrible two meltdown. I still had my time and my workout and somehow I have more patience to get through that tantrum.
Working out at 5 a.m. may not be for everyone. Working out may not be your thing. But find what your thing is and make time for yourself.
Whether it’s an hour a week or an hour a day, don’t forget to put yourself as a priority. You cannot take care of everyone else and everything around you if you don’t take care of yourself. It’s okay to be a little selfish sometimes. If I can do it, anyone can!
