Taking 10 this Easter
…. come on - we can manage even just 10!
A sea of countdowns has filled my social media feed as working Mums across the country seem to be willing these 2 weeks away til we can all return to ‘routine’ .
’How sad’ I think.
I get it.
I’m a mum who owns her own business and I work predominantly with women who mirror my life.
The word juggle almost makes light of what more often than not feels like we are physically moving mountains in the holidays just to try and grab ten minutes to ourselves in between childcare and working!
But does it really have to be that way or do we just not prioritise ensuring we get some alone time too?
If like me you’re a catastrophiser and a little bit addicted to ‘the juggle’, I find myself spiralling into a pit of ‘it’s all too much’. This is exactly when we should and usually could carve out just 10 minutes a day for ourselves during this busy period of remembering late at night to defrost the leg of lamb that’s meant for the the following day/jumping up trees and pulling your groin hiding easter eggs/buying daffs etc etc ….
Wouldn’t 10 minutes a day to ourselves help us manage our energy when life is busy over the Holidays making us actually appreciate those times when we’re around the same table or racing round the garden finding eggs together?
Next week, I’ll be putting down my phone (yes really even as a Social Media Consultant!) and looking up, out and inward this Easter as I reflect on what has been a whirlwind of a few months.
Lots of women in business cannot even fathom putting down their phone but I really advocate this during these holiday periods when we are handed an opportunity, a Bank Holiday when the whole country stops - to actually take space and time - take this opportunity with both hands and BE.
And when we turn off our phones / pop them in another room / keep them under lock and key or dare I say it even leave it at home when we go out (!) - we suddenly realise how often we would usually be checking and scrolling.
I love social media.
I’ve made a career out of it and I love empowering small business owners by upskilling them and seeing tangible business come their way.
But I am a massive advocate of being intentional with your phone.
When I decide to be intentional with my phone, I spend more time taking photos of holiday times, writing notes for a blog or being purposeful by finding great content to plan ahead.
So I wanted to share some ways I’ll be stepping away from my phone and the draw of Instagram abd Pinterest and taking 10 minutes for myself each and every day this Easter Holidays:
Take 10 of Zen - this FREE library of 10 minute Mindfulness tools and training for mums created by ‘Mama Zen’ Nikki Wilson is my absolute Top Tip - no Sweaty Betty’s required! Check out her weekly Insta Lives too!
Moisturise and massage your hands and feet to make them silky smooth - my go to is Body Shop’s Hemp range.
Flick through that coffee table book you were given/ were bought but have never actually sat down and just enjoyed browsing. For me it’s ‘The Maker’ but if social media isn’t your whole life like it is mine then do check out Sara Takers’s ‘Hashtag Authentic’
Dig out an old photo album (and for me I’d need it to be accompanied by a box of tissues!) how often do we scroll through our photos but sitting on the sofa and touching real photos is pure nostalgia!
Write a note to someone - maybe they’re started a new job, are just about to have a baby or they’re going through a rough patch - knowing that you took that precious time int he middle of everything else will mean so much to them
Go outside wherever you are and simply take 10 minutes to breathe in the fresh Spring air - my husband calls this his ‘fake fag break’ and does it every day but it’s so reinvigorating
Light a candle and reflect - maybe you take the time to remember someone special to you, maybe you want to give thanks for something/someone, maybe you need 10 minutes to think over a problem or a challenge
Spend a focused 10 minutes with your pet - if you’re anything like me since having kids my cats got pushed aside and I never give them my full attention - enjoy this time together
Make a hot chocolate from scratch - I love Deliciously Ella’s recipe with almond butter and maple syrup - YUM!
Listen to your favourite album - for me it’s ‘Rumours’ by Fleetwood Mac without a doubt. I always have music on but listen to it so passively while doing 3 other things - remember where you were when you first heard ‘that song’, those hilarious or poignant times you’ve had listening to it/dancing to it/seeing them live since
On a cold evening, make a hot water bottle and take it to bed - this is one of the loveliest things my husband does for me when he hides it in bed for me to discover!
Write down 3 amazing things you’ve done/said that day to remember that You Rock!
Please message me on Instagram/Facebook and let me know if any of these work for you this holiday - I’d love to hear from you!
Wishing you a very Happy Easter with your family!