Before I became a parent, I enjoyed simple pleasures like visiting the hair salon for a haircut. Now, that same trip is labeled as “me time.” The difference? What was once a routine errand is now packaged as a special treat. Frankly, I find it hard to consider staring at my own reflection while someone else works on my hair a form of self-care.
A bath? Not a chance. No amount of candles or bubbles can change the fact that it’s merely a way to scrub off the day’s grime while the kids create chaos outside the door. Even a few moments of quiet with a magazine and coffee hardly qualify as “me time.” It’s just a caffeine boost while I catch up on celebrity gossip. And let’s not even discuss using the restroom. When I close that door, I’m not indulging in solitude; I’m just trying to get some privacy.
To me, the term “me time” is a farce. It’s time to stop pretending that routine maintenance is a luxury. When I read that new moms average a mere 17 minutes of “me time” each day, I couldn’t help but laugh. Honestly, the last person I want to spend that time with is myself. My life can be monotonous, and I don’t need time to ponder that.
In my younger years, all my time was “me time.” Life revolved around my choices, even the questionable ones, like escaping through a bathroom window after a bad date. But once you become a parent, those adventures are replaced by sensible decisions and concerns about everything from speech development to contagious chicken pox.
In the UK, we have reality shows like “The Only Way Is Essex” and “Made in Chelsea,” where young singles make poor life choices. These stars often declare their need for “me time” to reflect on the many ways they feel wronged. They then use that time to plan raucous nights out, seemingly believing that throwing drinks in someone’s face is a way to reclaim respect. I can’t help but wonder how they will cope with parenting, where disrespect is an hourly occurrence. Trust me, throwing wine at my kids is simply not effective.
So, as a mother, I have no use for “me time.” I’d much rather toss that notion aside, much like I do with my kids’ artwork—straight into the recycling bin.
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Summary
The concept of “me time” is largely a myth for mothers, who often find that moments of solitude are just another part of their routine. The idea that simple activities like getting a haircut or taking a bath can be considered special is unrealistic. Instead, motherhood typically involves making practical decisions and managing chaos, leaving little room for true self-indulgence.