The Importance of Me Time

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ArtisanFlavors #CollectiveBias

As a busy wife and mom to three, I rarely take time to paper myself.  Between PTO meetings, hockey and lacrosse practice, heaping mountains of laundry and dishes and trying to keep up with the blog, there is not a lot of time left over for me.  But every now and then, when I feel like I am hitting my breaking point and am about to lose my mind I treat myself to something really special.  “Me time,” however rare, is totally spectacular and should be treated as such.  PS: if you are in need of some me time of your own, make sure to check out the giveaway below and enter to win!

For the first time ever, my kiddos are on a vacation without me.  They are in Colorado, staying with my parents and loving every single minute.  I can tell you that the first day that they were gone (my hubby was out of town for work) and I was completely alone I was so depressed that I couldn’t even drag myself out of bed.  I thought that I would have this joyous time and do whatever I pleased, but it occurred to me that my identity is so wrapped up in them that I just didn’t know what to do.  It took me a couple of days before I remembered that I am my own person and that I really should be living up this newfound “me time.”  So I did what any girl would do…made a quick trip to Walmart to grab some wine, ice cream and a couple of movies!

While I was perusing the ice cream aisle, the new Häagen Dazs Artisan Collection caught my eye.  Hey, if I am going to indulge, I want it to be something that is outrageously delicious!  For this collection, Häagen Dazs collaborated with six unique artisans to come up with some incredible, one of a kind flavors.  These are not your typical chocolate swirl type ice creams!  I grabbed the Tres Leches Brigadeiro, Chocolate Caramelized Oat and Ginger Molasses Cookie flavors because I couldn’t decide on just one.  🙂  And here is the giveaway so you can be sure to treat yourself.
Häagen Dazs #ArtisanFlavors Contest

I rented a movie that I had been waiting to see (think best selling book, steamy romance…yep, you know the one) and headed home to enjoy it all.  But on the way I had an epiphany.  It was time to treat myself to a long overdue pedicure.  One of the many benefits of living in the middle of a bustling suburban downtown area is that there are amazing salons just about every where you turn.  I chose one that is in a charming old home, smack dab in the middle of the historic downtown area.  I ordered myself a drink, laid back and loved every single minute of the hot stone pedicure there.  It was made even better by me taking in my Häagen Dazs Tres Leches Brigadeiros and enjoying it while getting a foot massage!

I learned a very valuable lesson from this time without my kiddos.  I was reminded that I am my own person, that I need time to recharge and refresh by having “me time,” and that it is okay to indulge and treat myself every now and then.  The world will not stop spinning.  Actually, it was kind of the opposite.  I felt like a new person and like I was ready to tackle even more!

This is my long winded way of telling you that even though life gets busy and you feel pulled in a million different directions, it is so important to take some time for yourself.  Even if that means grabbing your ice cream and hiding in the closet (I won’t judge…we’ve all been there), enjoy it and use it as your time to refresh.  And while you’re at it, pull out your phone and follow Häagen Dazs on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to give yourself something to look forward to with your next stolen moment alone!

How do you take time for yourself?  What to do treat yourself to?  I’d love to hear from you!