We all love it. We all need it. It’s important that we all take time to get it. What’s my favorite way to spend it?
Movies
Going to the movies alone on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon is preferred, but I’d take a great date night with TC, too. I love getting lost in the movie, sitting in a chilly theater. Slurping on a fountain Diet Coke. Movies are no place for babies, so it’s definitely a nice retreat.
Netflix
I’ve watched three different TV series via Netflix in the last 12 months. I’ll sneak in an episode or two during nap time a few days a week and before I know it, I’ve seen the entire series.
Reality TV
Monday nights are my night this summer. I don’t watch TV any other night except for Mondays, but I can get sucked in.
Trips to Target
Just to wander. But Target is a dangerous place. It’s like there’s a $100 cover charge. Yesterday, however, I was determined to go in, get what I needed, and get out. And only have two shopping bags. And spend $30 or less. It was a success.
But Target is a nice place to unwind!
An Alone Trip to Sonic Happy Hour
I love to get some good music in the car and turn up the volume so I can belt it out when I’m alone. I’m not ashamed to belt it when I’m not alone, but it’s fun to just let your inner rockstar take the stage when you’re alone in the car. And just drive on down to Sonic to get a Diet Coke.
Books
I love to read. (A post about a blogging book club is coming up soon.) I’ve read 12 books since January and my goal was to read 12 books before the end of 2010. I’ve realized that it’s such a great way to calm my mind at the end of a busy day– or in the middle of a busy day. I’ll sneak in a few chapters during nap time or right after TC gets home.
Not Spending it Alone
A lot of times I want my “me time” to be spent with TC sitting right next to me. Even if we’re not saying anything and he’s enduring hours of horrible reality TV. I love just having him next to me.
Long Phone Calls with Far-away Loved Ones
Girlfriends, my mom, my dad, my brother, my cousins. I can really feel energized if I spend some good time on the phone with someone I love.
Take a Nap on the Couch
Preferably curled up with your little dog.
What’s your favorite way to spend your “me time?”
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
I enjoy a lot of the same things: chatting with family and friends, reading, Target! I love that you put it as a $100 cover charge, haha!! Can’t wait to hear about the blogging book club!!!
I have a one hour drive to and from school 3 nights a week and let me tell you, I’ve come to REALLY enjoy that time to myself, to reflex, pray, think, and sometimes just turn the radio off and ride in complete silence!!
I can’t wait to hear about the blogging book club!!
loooooooooove the idea of a blogging book club! i need some accountability and that sounds like so much fun!
I LOVE to read too {excited to hear about book club}!
I hear you on getting sucked in on Monday nights…HA!
It’s a bad wreck…cannot stop watching, but it’s makes me cringe at times!!
My favorite “Me Time” includes watching old Law & Order SVU curled up with my dog, or reading at the pool (sometimes IN the pool), I also have started driving my car to a different part of work so no one thinks I am still here for my lunch – I find work bothers me less and I can enjoy my lunch on my own.
PS:I love your idea of a blogging book club!
First that pic of Hudson is insanely cute!
I love my me-time! I love shopping by myself being able to spend as little or as long as I want in whatever store I choose. I also love sonic happy hour -my choice is a vanilla limeade (yum!) to me it tastes like the pineapple dum dums. I love enjoying my reality tv. I like sitting outside in a warm shady spot just taking in the beauty and sounds of life!
I love taking baths!!! It’s my fave thing to do!!
Oh, a good book, definitely a movie matinee alone! I love going to matinees alone- so glad I’m not the only one! I never get to do that anymore. . .
Have the server put a little vanilla in that Diet Coke from Sonic and you have yourself a delightful treat!
I’m going to have my nephew starting in January during my only day other than Sunday, which doesn’t really count. I’m going to need “me” time the entire rest of the week. hahaha
I love taking hot baths and reading, or my new favorite obession is NetFlix. I am addicted!
Although my “me” time isn’t quite as precious as yours, I share a lot of the same activities! A good Target trip is always the perfect way to kill an hour (and at least $75). I’d love to go see a movie by myself, but have never done it. I should definitely force myself to do it this summer since there are so many movies I want to see with no one to see them with.
My three favorite me time things are taking a nap, reading a book at the dog park, or walking on the beach with my dog. Love it. Just thinking about this made me happy, so thanks for the post!
Oh my! Your alone time sounds almost like mine. I can spend hour and hours reading or watching TV. Taking trips to target or to any store for that matter. Not to mention talking on the phone with my friends from Germany.
Great post! Me time is so important to keeping my sanity. I also love a solo movie and a Target run. I’ve been devouring books lately, so I can’t wait to hear more about a book club!
Some of your favorite me time activites are mine too, like going to Target or the movies. I think that my favorite ones are either taking a nap or watching some mindless tv.
A hot bath & a good book
I love reading and have read atleast 30 books this year and I’m hopeing to read atleast that many more. If you doing a bloggin book club I would definatly be interested 
You hit almost all of my favorites. However, I’d add taking a bath to the list and remove going to the movies – I have never been to the movies alone. For some reason I much prefer company for that!
I absolutely love reading for alone time. I love being able to do it when we are up north at my parent’s cabin- sitting on the swing by the river. I’m excited to hear about the blog book club!
Went to Target this am to return something and buy nothing. $60 later…..
I thought of you while I was in there. They had the cutest Dr. Seuss items in the $1 bins in the front including some Green Eggs and Ham stuff. They had some really cute melamine bowls. If only they had them a few months earlier!
For those of us who aren’t mothers, but want to be so badly it hurts at times, it makes me sad that you spend “your” time talking about wanting “your” time so much. I’m sure it’s needed, but some of us would like a little less “me” time. Maybe you should just be grateful that you have a child to fill that time.
Erin, you are so cute! I am best friends with Cindy, Emily Williams’ new sister-in-law (Cindy married Emily’s brother), and I when I saw the pic of Emily & Hudson on your blog awhile ago I got so excited! Your family is precious and I love your blog! Small world
Stepping my nose into something that is none of my business…
BUT
Courtney, this makes me RAGE. Never once has Erin ever said she is UNGRATEFUL for having Hudson. But as a woman and a PERSON, everyone needs “me” time to stay balanced and sane. Some require more “me” time than others.
Also, it’s not Erin’s fault that you don’t have a baby so stop projecting your issues onto her. harsh, but true. I have no tolerance for this. She loves Hudson more than she loves herself, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t deserve or require things to fill her up to make her the best mom she can be.
/Rant over.
In other news, Erin, I love you.
Courtney-
I am one of those people that would give anything to have a child. However, I have no problem at all with her talking about her “me” time. I stongly believe that every mother will need time away from her child to recharge. No mother will be able to spend every second with their child. I understand you are probably going through a hard time wanting a child (like I said, I am right there with you) but life is so much easier when you are happy for people instead of judging them. She never said she wasn’t gratful. In fact, she talks about how grateful she is ALL THE TIME.
Erin, don’t let comments like that bother you. There was nothing wrong with this post.
Favorite “me time” activities: going to lunch on Saturdays alone (husband works Saturdays), blasting Beyonce while cleaning my house, doing the People Magazine crossword. I also love just sitting with my husband and having a reall good conversation.
It’s perfectly OK to want me time every now and then. It keeps you healthy!
LOVE Hud’s seersucker outfit!
Some time with a good book or wandering through Target can do wonders for me as well. A blogging book club sounds intriguing…can’t wait to hear about it!
what ever happened to, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all?” … I mean, really! I think Erin is very grateful and portrays that well on her blog.
Can’t wait to hear about the book club!
What Mojito Maven said.
Amen, Mojito Maven!
right on, becs & mojito. readers of blogs seem to take ENTIRELY TOO MUCH TIME over analyzing the details of blog posts… she wrote about wanting ME TIME?! she MUST hate her child, clearly!
erin, I’ve followed your blog/twitter for a while, and I think you’re an exquisite mommy. speaking out about wanting ME time makes you THAT much more human and relate-able to your readers… if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s definitely people who portray their life as perfect, be it online or otherwise. and for the record, I’m right there with you with sonic trips, target ventures and new books!!
I completely agree with Mojito Maven and Megan. I think it’s obvious to anyone who reads this blog that Erin LOVES being a mother and wouldn’t trade Hudson for anything. I’d say she’s one of the most grateful mothers I’ve ever “known.”
I also love my “me” time. I love my children more, but it’s hard to be a good mother when you can’t take time to recharge. As harsh as this is going to sound, don’t judge when you don’t have children of your own. You don’t know what it’s like.
We are so much alike – I love spending my me time reading, watching my TV shows, and trips to Target. I also love perusing the web, writing, blogging, and most recently, going to the movies by myself.
To Courtney: Get a life. Like Mojito Maven said, everyone–EVERYONE–needs alone time. Whether you’re single, married, divorced, have children, don’t have children, it doesn’t matter. Me time is essential to reviving our souls. Maybe you should go back through Erin’s blog and reread some of her posts. The majority of them revolve around Hudson and portray what an awesome mom she is. So take your woe is me attitude somewhere else!
Seriously, Courtney?!
Great post! I like to get pedicures or sit on the couch and watch tv for me time.
Mojito Maven couldn’t have said it better!!! From everything I’ve ever read on Erin’s blog she is an AWESOME mother and wife. IT’s NORMAL and healthy for Mothers to have “me” time!!
Some people just have to project their unhappiness on others!!!
I don’t even have a baby and I need me time! Reading and knitting are two of my personal favorites. On a side note, I will never understand why people post negative comments on other people’s blogs.
Yay for the blogger book club
I am not a mom, but during the school year I certainly need my “me” time after work some days. Target is one place I am very guilty of spending my time. Target and McDonald’s $1 hot fudge sundaes. Best way to treat myself after a long day!
Erin,
I am a first-time poster (and long time lurker)- but Courtney’s comment made me feel like I HAD to post a comment.
I think this was a wonderful post! Everyone needs “me” time- and that “me” times allows you to recharge your batteries and to be an even better mommy to Hudson and wife to TC.
Love your blog!
I love to curl up on the couch in a cold room and read a book until I can’t keep my eyes open. I also enjoy the Sonic Happy Hour and Singing time!!!
First time commenter, and brand new blogger -but quite the seasoned book worm. I can’t wait to hear all about this blogging book club.
And like you said, ‘me time’ is super important. Your comment about Target having a cover charge cracked me up…I totally agree. I’m in desperate need of a new pair of shorts and was considering heading there after work. Thanks for reminding me about the $100 – I think I’ll have to be heading to a less tempting place!
Me time is SO important to me right now eventhough I don’t have kids yet! I love my 30 minute commute so I can blast my favorite Sugarland cd and sing like crazy! Haha! And I do NOT have a singing voice!
My hubby always falls asleep before me so that is usually when I indulge in my netflix series (Army Wives currently!) or whatever other show he doesn’t prefer.
I can’t imagine how much I will need me time once I have kids… it is a neccessity for everyone!
All of the above you listed and some card crafting or sewing are my new “me-time” activities. Everyone needs time to recharge.
Can’t wait to hear about the blogging book club. That sounds really fun.
Erin- I love your blog but never comment… I love this post and the idea of a book club! How fun!
And as for the rude comments… Psshh your a great mommy and every mommy needs me time. It doesn’t make you a bad mommy, your actually better for it! And your real, that’s what keeps me coming back!
We are currently trying to have a baby and want one SOOOO badly, however I see nothing wrong with this post at all. Everyone needs their “me” time to keep them happy and sane whether they’re a parent or not and that shouldn’t change when you have kids. Erin, I don’t think you’ve ever sounded ungrateful for having a baby and you certainly spend a lot of time with him and are a wonderful mother, so don’t let comments like that get to you
We all need “me” time. Just time to decompress. I don’t have children yet, but, I do enjoy just having time for me. Just to relax, just be. It’s normal. We all need it. Even children! My mom used to give me quiet time–which wasn’t a time out, it just was time to be quiet and do something–I usually read. Maybe that’s weird that my mom did that? I don’t know, I always like it! I still do!
My me time activities are very similar to yours–a Target trip (which hopefully doesn’t break the bank! I love that store!), a good book, a nap with my puppy, a cheesy chick flick, baking, etc.
Rock on Mojito Maven!! You said it perfectly!
As far as a blogging book club, I highly recommend “Water for Elephants”. It was fantastic! My book club also read “Sarah’s Key”. It was wonderful, but sad.
I love this post. For me, me time is when I can hang out at the house and try some new recipes. Lately, I’ve developed an interest in cooking better/healthier. In between work and social/family obligations it is hard for everyone to have “me” time. I wish we had more of it!
I’m single and I still want me time! I just wish I had the $$ to spend in target-it is so relaxing to walk around there! And I can’t wait for a bookclub! How exciting!
Ditto to Mojito Maven!! I have a child too and I love him more than anything in this world and am also a stay at home mom. But it’s unhealthy for anyone to be only one thing to themselves….be that a wife, mother or to their job. And likewise, children need alone time too….to explore the world in their own way and not have someone hovering over them all the time. I get me time too and just took a trip to New Orleans sans child. But then I come back refreshed and ready to smother my baby with love and kisses and all the attention he needs. I know you didn’t mean any harm, Courtney, but comments like that can really hurt. Erin, you’re doing a great job! And I am reading the Outlander series right now and am in love!! It’s like a Twilight for grown-ups without the vampires, set in Scotland in the 1700s.
I like running or gardening alone, a walk on the beach is also good on a nice day. Going to Whole Foods when I don’t need to do actual grocery shopping is also enjoyable, I always find something new that I wouldn’t ordinarily buy. I also like to browse Anthropologie online in my spare time.
I don’t usually respond to negative comments that others leave, but I feel compelled to say something this time. Courtney, I am very different than Erin in a LOT of ways. Yes, I have children, but our lifestyles are very different. That said, if I didn’t agree with or was upset by something she wrote, I’d just stop reading. It doesn’t seem like Erin is trying to say she dislikes being a mother – she’s discussing achieving a balance that’s very difficult to achieve. She’s fortunate that she’s able to do that, and she’s sharing the things that she does to recharge. I love my kids, but I certainly need “me” time. I’m guessing that you do, too. While it may hurt that you don’t have children now, think about this: I was told my a friend dealing with infertility that if I “have another kid, you just have to give it to me. Two’s the quota.” Of course, I know she wasn’t serious, but it still hurt my feelings. She was open envious of my fertility, and seemingly critical of my husband and I for considering one more baby. I’ve never told her that it was awkward and hurtful – there’s no reason. It would make both of us feel silly. So you see, Erin meant no harm, and your comments were needlessly critical. Really, can’t we just be happy for Erin and TC and Hudson and enjoy the fact that Erin is so open to sharing her parenting experience with us?
Erin – Thanks for your willingness to share your experience with all of us! It’s comforting to know that other moms – no matter the differences between us – share the same struggles. The book club sounds great, and I’m looking forward to learning more about what you have in mind.
Courtney,
I’m as infertile as they come, and while I understand your longing for a child, you have no right to come on Erin’s blog and criticize her for wanting “me” time. We all need me time. You have no idea what her love is for her child. I haven’t been reading long, but maybe Erin struggled to have Hudson, just as you seem to be struggling to have the baby you want. It doesn’t matter. What you said is inexcusable. I hope someday you are able to have the child you so desire–maybe then you’ll stop being so bitter.
Erin–great post as always.
Erin: Loved the post and how you spend your Me time. I actually am addicted to Target as well. As for Courtney, I am also one of those women who want a baby so bad I can taste it, but I was also having a conversation about this very thing with my mother, who didn’t get much “Me” time, short of the time she had at work, while raising three kids. She looked at me and asked, “Since when do people think that mothers are superhuman?”
Mothers, more than anyone else, need that “Me” time because they were selfless enough to give their next 18 years (at the least) to a child. Some people aren’t like that at all and refuse to do that. Cut Erin some slack, Courtney, because one day will come when you’re going to need “Me” time and you’re going to get judged just as unfairly as you judged her.
I use me time for most of the things you listed (I don’t have a car and the closest Sonic to DC is an hour away! boooo!), but I also love do work on some quilting when I can. I am new to it, so I am slow, but I really enjoy it! Also, I love cooking and baking when I have the time.
Erin,
I’m a long time reader but a first time commenter, but Courtney’s comment led me to say something. I hope you won’t let this little big of negativity get to you. Your posts are always so entertaining and insightful. Today’s was no exception! I enjoy your blog and always look forward to the next post.
Can’t wait for the book club!
It takes a strong, confident mommie to admit that she actually craves me time. Negative attitudes towards a mother wanting a little time for herself is what creates that mommie guilt that we struggle with each and every day. Mothers today actually give so much more of their time to children than ever before, so it it necessary for a mom to have some time for herself. You can’t continue to give and give to everyone else, no matter how much you love your child, you have to have some time to refresh, regroup and get back in touch with all of the things life has to offer. Moms that don’t do that are typically the ones I see that struggle the most with motherhood.
That being said, bring on book club and Erin you are an awesome mother. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Ooh, I’m so curious about what three shows you’ve watched on Netflix! Netflix is one of my few ways to unwind right now (long story, blah unemployment, financial crisis, blah), and I’m always trying to figure out what to watch next. I know you get tons of comments and emails, but I’d love to know which ones you’ve enjoyed!
I just had a “me” morning. I watched TV on DVD, painted my nails, and ate something really unhealthy. It was wonderful to relax, unwind, and not “do” anything of importance for a few hours. LOVE IT!
Reading is my favorite thing to do when I get a moment alone. But Target is probably 2nd. I love your comment about the $100 “cover charge.” So true! Ha!
we enjoy a lot of the same things…..for me: reading a book or magazine, getting a pedicure, going to a bookstore, Target, etc. I’ve never done the movie theatre alone but maybe I need to try it.
Using my 10 minutes of me time before I wake baby up to get caught up on your blog. And hugely looking forward to the me time I’ll get tonight at a Junior League meeting. Guess that makes me a terrible mother since I should spend every waking second tending to my boy!
On a non-sarcastic note, love that pic of Hudson! Such a cute outfit.
I love those options! Hehe, so true about Target. I also like to go for a run or get a bit of gym time in, or bake something!
I was really looking fwd to reading all the comments on this post. I am totally guilty of not utilizing my me time very well and I suffer for it. that’s a great idea to go to the movies alone, haven’t done that since before marriage! Hudson is adorable in that pic, I didn’t realize he had those dimples. so precious!
and I am glad you had so many supporters re: courtney. pls dont’ let it bother you. I think being infertile (I am, secondarily) makes you want it so bad, that you become blinded to what is realistic (like me time) b/c you are so sensitive. It was prob easy for her to lash at you since she doesn’t know you and it wasn’t face to face.(I bet she doesn’t even read regularly, b/c if she was familiar, she would know how wrong she is) in her real life, she prob just holds it all in, and unfortunately, took it out on you. A lot of people with infertility get really bitter and resentful of people with babies. BUT its not your fault she is infertile.