My eldest daughter has just moved back in after being away at uni for three years. Last night after watching a movie, curled up on the sofa she said “mam, even when you’re relaxing, you’re tense.” And it got me thinking, when do I properly relax?
As a busy mum, who is running a small business, there is always something to do, something to think about. After 20 years of parenting, I have become so accustomed to thinking ahead, focusing on what needs doing and constantly making lists, that switching off is really difficult.
When my girls were younger, I was definitely more stressed with the endless juggling and I probably drank more ‘to relax’ before I fell into bed exhausted. Now, I rarely drink but I am still busy and the juggle continues.
Occasionally I’ll fall into a good book, go for a great walk, have a brilliant laugh with friends and family and, while I appreciate these moments, I know I need to do more to switch off.
What does switching off and relaxing mean to you? Is it even possible if you have younger children?
I think it’s important to identify what you need to relax, to do something for you and to work out how you plan this in. I’m going back to basics to focus on using my breathing and relaxing my head so I can switch off - I’ll be writing updates here, as well as on Instagram. Fancy doing this with me?
It’s really hard to switch off and even asking myself to do it feels like another thing I should do! After years of not being able to I can finally switch off to an extent as a parent when my son is at school which is a huge relief. I think time in likeminded company really helps but I don’t always get that either...
I’m still trying to figure it out 😂😂