As homemakers we pour ourselves into our families and our homes. We often forget how important it is to take time for ourselves. As you may have heard, you cannot pour from an empty cup.
This can be hard as our job is where we live and so we can’t really remove ourselves from it at the end of the day. There will always be something else to do, something else that needs your attention… But there will not always be a you.
It’s important for our own well-being to show ourselves some love. That is why I’m writing this.
Prioritize Time with God
If I start my day off with the Lord, I notice that my day always goes better than if I don’t. My head will feel more clear, I have more grace for myself, and the rest of my priorities seem to line up pretty easily.
It’s that moment of realizing that I can’t do everything in my own power. It’s also part of learning to trust God…with EVERYTHING. Matthew 6:31-34 reminds us that God knows all of our needs and He will provide them, if we seek Him first.
We can work our lives away all that we want but we can never achieve what God has for us without seeking Him.
If you don’t feel like you have time to do everything on your to do list, be sure to always have the time to pray, and get in the Word. Nothing else is as important as this.
Get in the Right Mindset
Part of taking care of our homes is taking care of ourselves. You are not any less valuable than the things on your to do list.
This can be a struggle for many of us, including me, but it can help to try to see yourself as God sees you: His beloved, cherished, fearfully and wonderfully made. The more you prioritize your time with God, the easier it will be to get yourself in the right mindset.
Learn to be okay with some things not getting done, so that you don’t neglect yourself. But at the same time, don’t neglect your responsibilities to do what you want. It’s about learning a balance, and it’s okay to not get it right every time.
Learn to say “no”
As a homemaker you may have run into the issue of people wanting your “free” time. Saying no to others so that you’re not over burdened is healthy for you and your home.
It’s important to put your household above other peoples requests. If you can help out here and there, that’s great but you are not required to. It can be a balancing act to figure out when to say no or when to say yes.
Most of the time, if I can’t take a little time to pray about something, the answer will be no. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to do just that. Put all of your trust into the Lord and He will direct your path. I am learning to do this more and more, and I’ve found that God will direct me in small things as well as big things if I ask Him.
Schedule it in
Finding a schedule or routine that works for you can be a challenging, but if you’re struggling to have any time for yourself, it can make a huge difference.
Schedule in a few hours a week, broken up however you’d like, to have time for yourself. This may vary week to week but don’t neglect yourself. Find pockets of time to put away the housework for a moment and do something you enjoy.
Treat it as if it was an appointment that you made with a doctor. If you don’t go and get what you need, there will be a fee to pay. In this case, that fee is your sanity.
“Taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your home.”
A Homemakers Workmanship
Do it with Intention
I like to make my me time a little extra special in small ways. Think of it as if you were setting something up for a guest. How would you make it feel special to them so they could tell that you put effort into it?
A few ways you could do this are:
- Light a candle
- Make a fun snack
- Turn on background noise
- Set up something outside
- Run an essential oil defusser
- Make a pot of tea
It doesn’t have to extravagant to feel extraordinary.
*Here are some ways to have a fantastic night at home with the family!
Set Yourself up for Success
Thinking ahead and planning out your me time is one thing. But having it ready to go so that it’s easier for you to take that time is another.
If you’re starting a new crochet project, make sure you have the hook and yarn you’ll need. If your spending the afternoon baking make sure you have all of your ingredients. If you’re setting up a at home spa, get all of your spa things ready to go ahead of time.
Doing this will give you something to look forward to and make it less of a hassle; it shouldn’t feel like chore to take time for yourself.
Have a List of Things You can Do
Self-care will mean something different to all of us. Sometimes, if you’re feeling burnt out, it can be hard to think of things you can do for yourself.
Have a few lists of activities you enjoy doing. I recommend having one that you can refer to for longer activities and one for squeezing in some self-care when you’re busier than usual.
If you keep this around, and you find yourself with a few moments to spare, you don’t need to waste time figuring out what you can do.
Here is something to help you get started:
*This printable is free for you to use in your home or share with friends, however, you may not sell the printable as your own.
Learning to rest is learning to trust that God has everything under control (Psalm 46:10). You don’t need to be productive every minute of every day.
The Son of God Himself still needed rest, He even slept through a storm! (Mark 4:35-41). So take a moment every now and then to allow yourself to recharge by doing something you love. Find a balance that works for you, and let housework wait until its set time.
[…] If you want more ideas for taking some me time, check out this post about it! […]
[…] *Here’s how to Take Time for Yourself as a Homemaker* […]
[…] *Click here to learn how to take time for yourself as a homemaker. […]