As a parent, we tend to get wrapped up in the kids, the house, the adult responsibilities. I don’t know about you, but I always come last on my list of priorities, but this year, I vow to take more time for me which is why I am sharing a list of 10 ways to take time for the self.

10 Ways to Take Time for the Self

1. Adult Coloring.

I have heard people giving adult coloring books grief. “Who has time for that?” Well, that’s the point. Making time for that. It is such a stress reliever. A time to unwind from all the chaos and responsibilities. You can find some great adult coloring sheets on
or you can purchase adult coloring books.

2.

There is nothing better than curling up with

a good book and a cup of coffee

(or tea, water, wine, whatever!) Need some book suggestions? Check out all the
I have!

3. The great outdoors.

Go for a walk. If you a runner, go for a job. Not active? Just sit outside. Listen to nature surround you. There is nothing more calming and it is a great way to rejuvenate after a long day.

4. Write a letter!

Seriously! My great aunt has been writing me for the past couple of months and I love setting time aside and writing back to her. Don’t have someone you can write to? Find a pen pal. Start a journal. Just write. It doesn’t have to make sense.

5. Crafting can be incredibly relaxing.

I used to do a lot of beading (back when there was just one kid) and I found it absolutely relaxing. Being able to focus on something that didn’t have to do with taking care of everyone else or bills!

6. In line with crafting – art.

Now, let me preface this by saying, I am no artist. By any means. And you may be questioning the difference between crafting and art.

In my personal opinion, crafting is making something. Crafting something.

Art is more artistic. Making something pretty. Something you can hang in your home. I guess it could be the same as a craft, but for the sake of my sanity; they’re different!

I was asked to review the
in exchange for an honest review and I have to say… box one did not go so well, but I am not giving up.

My
was a painting box. It included 3 paint brushes, a paint palette, full size paints, paint soap, a canvas, and instructions. All in a neat little box.

I have already prefaced by saying that I am not an artist. In fact, I’m not sure if I have ever painted a canvas in my life. I mean, aside from maybe elementary school art class or a paint by number; I don’t think I have ever just painted. Until my epic fail.

Being a perfectionist personality, I decided to just relax and see what happens. And I will admit, my canvas looked pretty darn good. Until I decided to add a tree like the picture in the instructions said to do. From there, it was down hill.

My sky was awesome and colorful. My sun was big and yellow. My water reflected the color of my sky. My snow topped hills were the perfect hue of snow covered. My little pine trees were cute. And then I screwed the whole thing up.

I could not paint a bare tree to save my life. It ruined the entire thing. It ruined the mood. It ruined the canvas. I was so upset; I threw it away. Seriously.

BUT… I still have all the materials so I intend on going to the local craft store to purchase another canvas and re-do it (sans the bare tree.) Because my canvas really was looking great before I attempted the darn tree.

It is a
and I look forward to seeing February’s box. The boxes aren’t always paint. Past boxes include calligraphy, colored pencils, sculpting, charcoal; so I look forward to seeing what I get next month!

7. Take a bath (or shower).

Alone. Rarely do I get to shower alone these days, but sometimes, I have to sneak away for that few minutes of me time. (Remember, we are taking time for the self!)

8. Watch a show.

Alone. Ask hubby to watch the kids for a half hour or an hour and sneak away to watch an episode of your favorite show alone. After homework time, before dinner time, I would sneak into the bedroom to catch the previous day’s episode of one of my soap operas that I recorded. Hubby would keep an eye on the kids for the 40 minutes (fast forward through commercials!) to regroup.

9. Meditate, pray, read inspirations.

If you can, try to get up before everyone else (I have never been successful at that!) Give yourself time to start your day (or end your day) on a positive note.

10. Spend 30 minutes doing something you love.

Baking, rearranging, cleaning. Whatever floats your boat. Depending on my mood, there are days that cleaning and rearranging the living room (by myself so no one else is in the way) makes me feel good. I feel accomplished. It satisfies my self.

Regardless if you can find time away from everyone else or if you have to do it with the kids in tow, we all need to remember to find time for the self. If we don’t take care of our self, we can’t take care of everyone else. It doesn’t need to be an hour, but something for even 10-15 minutes a day to recharge your energy and your being. To feel better about you.