20 Minutes {How to Prioritize Yourself in the Midst of Motherhood}

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Twenty minutes. A cheap spin bike from FB Marketplace. Running shoes because cycling shoes are out of the budget. It is 8:30 p.m. and the time is finally mine.

Prioritizing myself has never been easy, and it’s only gotten worse since becoming a mother.

20 minutes

My daughter’s needs take precedence because, realistically, she is unable to do much by herself at 2 years old. So often we hear how important it is to care for ourselves so we can care for others, but for many parents, that is not as simple as it seems.

I have challenged myself to ride my bike three days a week for 20 minutes at a time. That is one hour a week where I do not have to think about work, doctor appointments, our bank account, holidays and birthdays, student loans, and all other thoughts that race through my mind on a daily basis.

I remember being told when I was pregnant that my daughter is my priority now.

It has been two years and the guilt overcomes me when I do something for myself. It does not need to be this way. Deep down I know that to be true, but it is not easy to remember when I am in the thick of trying to do everything all of the time. As I get older, it’s becoming clearer that is not feasible.

Does that sound familiar? If yes, you are not alone. I promise you that behind every perfect Instagram picture of a mother and her child is also a mother who craves time to herself.

Mama, take that 20 minutes doing something that you enjoy. While yes, taking care of yourself is good for others because you feel better, do it for yourself.