Take Care of Your Most Important Asset This Week—Yourself!
making a difference! • my world
10 Ways to Make a Difference This Week By Giving to Others
Sometimes, one of the most important ways to Mom It Forward is to put ourselves as a priority and take time for our most important asset—Ourselves! Week 6′s Summer of Service challenge, sponsored by Design-her Gals, is to Make Some “Me” Time. This means identifying what re-energizes, revitalizes, and renews you; putting yourself as a priority; and taking time for yourself!
This list below identifies 10 possible ways to give back to yourself. Remember, this is “Me” time—things you would enjoy and can do alone or with friends that build, not drain, your energy. For more ideas, join #gno this Tuesday night. And, please share a comment with other ideas you have or things that have worked for you.
- Read a good book.
- Take a bubble bath.
- Get a spa treatment, even if that means giving yourself a pedicure!
- Write in your journal or on your blog… just for fun.
- Play a musical instrument.
- Take on a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project like scrapbooking, jewelry making, quilting, knitting, sewing, or another craft.
- Exercise.
- Take a really long shower and sing at the top of your lungs!
- Go to the park by yourself, lay in the grass, and just be.
- Schedule a girl’s night out where you can relax and be with friends or family, but where you are not the hostess.
How Will You Give to Others This Week?
- What other ideas do you have for “Me” time?
- How has taking time for yourself made a meaningful difference this week?
- What happens when you don’t make “me” time?
How Else Can You Make a Difference This Summer?
Make a meaningful difference this summer by taking the Summer of Service (SOS) Challenge. Here’s how you can participate:
- Commit to do one act of kindness/service based on the week’s challenge.
- Leave a comment with ideas relating to the week’s challenge as well as your experience(s) performing it.
- Grab the SOS button in the sidebar and put it on your blog or social networking site.
- Enter to win each week’s giveaway. Check out this week’s prizes from Design-her Gals by clicking here.
- Join #gno this Tuesday on Twitter to connect with other Mom It Forward moms about the challenge.
Comments
32 Responses to “Take Care of Your Most Important Asset This Week—Yourself!”
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Heather on July 5, 2009 4:04 am
Yes! #7! My “mommy time” is running, and I whole heartedly believe it has made me a better mother!
Courtney on July 5, 2009 7:07 am
I love this. I commit to taking time out for me. I love your list. I think I will attempt to accomplish a few of them. Something else I learned from my husband and oldest son but don’t do often is take time to do nothing and think nothing. My husband and oldest son laugh. They say women are so stressed because they don’t know how to sit down and do nothing and think absolutely nothing. I must admit it can be challenging to clear your mind of all the clutter you accumulate as you go through the day but it is so very rewarding.
Giveaway—Design-her Gals Gift Package ($275 Retail Value) : Mom it Forward on July 5, 2009 7:07 am
[...] this week’s SOS Challenge to Make Some “Me” Time by completing one of the post’s 10 suggestions or an idea [...]
vanessa on July 5, 2009 8:08 am
I decided this week to
-Start a book club so i HAVE to read
-Go to Yoga once a week at least
-Start up guitar lessons
I am SOO excited
Maruxa Murphy on July 5, 2009 1:01 pm
Ah! Me time – LOVE it!! Ok, today I exercised and then (created my own) – and grabbed a coffee and just privately wrote down my thoughts about life today! Sometimes I find myself writing about life but publicly for everyone else to read – and I find I sometimes “edit” *oops!* and don’t write out everything I would actually feel/do/say. It felt awesome!
Christine Villacarlos on July 5, 2009 4:04 pm
Great suggestions! I will definitely consider doing some of them this week, especially curling up with a good book!
nuri on July 6, 2009 5:05 pm
I take some “me” time every day, two hours a day, 5 days a week, i exersice and i love it, so i am already doing this challenge!
Very cool idea, though i still think i should have more “me” time, my kids leave me completely burnt out!
ANgela on July 6, 2009 8:08 pm
I will be reading, doing some walking to get exercise & making cards
!!!!
fiona Bryan on July 7, 2009 10:10 am
I had a grapefruit oil aromatherapy massage yesterday!
Shelly the Chic Crafty Chick on July 7, 2009 1:01 pm
I wrote on my blog and I get really sad when I don’t get time to do that. So, that has made me happy this week.
Jenny Marie on July 7, 2009 3:03 pm
For my me time, I take one evening a week and sit down at the piano and go thru a few of my favorite books playing my favorite songs, not practicing for anything or working on some other kind of music just playing to relax
Melanie on July 7, 2009 6:06 pm
Now that I’m training for the breast cancer walk I have several hours a week to myself. I usually head to the beach, fire up my iPod and go. Sometimes I think of things I have to do other times it’s just the music.
I LOVE to read and fir that in wherever I can. I just finished two books over the holiday weekend! The easiest way for me to get in time with a book is to ask my son if he wants to ride his bike outside our house. I sit in a beach chair to keep an eye in him and read until he wants to come back inside!
Janine (@twincident) on July 7, 2009 6:06 pm
I gave myself a pedicure the other day and I am planning to head to the gym tomorrow early morning before anyone wakes up…it’s then or never!
jessie on July 7, 2009 6:06 pm
I did a DIY project with hubby – we put up a screen door then I enjoyed giving myself a pedi!
Christina Gleason @ Cutest Kid Ever on July 7, 2009 6:06 pm
I’m reading a good book! It’s called “Take a Thief” by Mercedes Lackey. I love the fantasy world she’s created.
Katie on July 7, 2009 6:06 pm
I definitely agree that taking ME time is so important! It makes me a better mother, wife, and friend when I take time to renew myself. This week I have already three things from the list! I just finished exercising 30 minutes on the eliptical, read favorite book on Sunday, and when I am done blog surfing I’m going to papercraft. I try to do something everyday, it ensures that I’m in a better mood all around.
My suggestion would be to call a friend and talk at least fifteen minutes without any distractions, like crying kids in the background. We don’t always have time for face to face girl time together but that’s a great way to keep in touch. It shows your friends they are important and that you care about them, by giving them your undivided attention.
Kathy S. on July 7, 2009 6:06 pm
Me Time is a bit easier to come by this week since my kids are spending the week at their Aunt’s house!! It’s been great, though. I read an entire book, took a hot bath, took a drive with my husband. I’m ready for my girls to be back home, though. Me Time is much more precious when juggled around life’s usual busy chaos and distractions!!
Andrea H on July 7, 2009 7:07 pm
I took a long shower while listening to some of my favorite music. So relaxing!
Tiffani on July 7, 2009 9:09 pm
I exercise, take bubble baths, and get pedi’s regularly.
Camille on July 8, 2009 6:06 am
This week, I will be exercising, including running a 5K, and I’ve decided to start a journal. Waaay overdue, but never too late, right?
Annette D on July 8, 2009 8:08 am
I decided to to a DIY Project! I am faux painting my bathroom and I must say it is turning out beautiful! I also try to walk every day and of course I take a bubble bath every night.
Chrysa on July 9, 2009 8:08 am
I read a good book every night before I go to sleep. Even if I only have 10 minutes to read, it’s a great way to unwind. When I saw #5, it reminded me that I really need to dig out the keyboard and/or saxophone and do some playing!
Marie {Make and Takes} on July 9, 2009 9:09 am
I am getting my hair done on Friday, and a pedicure!! And I CAN’T WAIT!!! So needing some me time!!
Jenny on July 9, 2009 10:10 pm
I like reading a book while relaxing in the tub. Another great way for me to relax is taking photos. Your mind has to slow down to concentrate on the picture.
Renee on July 12, 2009 11:11 am
I took some me time this week by reading a book. It was a quick read but I truly enjoyed it. I forget the name but it is by James Patterson and it is about an alien hunter. Sounds weird but if you are a sci fi fan you will love it. And the bonus? After you read it share it with your child!
renee on July 12, 2009 12:12 pm
I’m reading a Sisterchick book right now!
blueviolet on July 12, 2009 4:04 pm
I decided to read a good book and exercise. I accomplished both of them and actually read two books this week!
Quanda on July 12, 2009 5:05 pm
Taking bubble baths while listening to my fave genre. I will also give myself a spa treatment.
heather on July 12, 2009 5:05 pm
I’m currently reading Breaking Dawn!
Spookygirl on July 12, 2009 9:09 pm
I am currently caring for my ailing father and Me
Time is hard to come by. But I carved out some
time on Friday to hit Starbucks for a Latte and a good book! Readin is my Me Time
Suebob on July 12, 2009 10:10 pm
I am great at me time. I’m reading, and loving, Eat Pray Love.
Angela Bailey on July 15, 2009 7:07 am
This week I am going to do #1, read a book, and put in some extra time doing it. I’m currently reading The Richest Man in Town.