The last couple of weeks seems to have been rough for a lot of us!
It’s Winter here in Australia and I’m seeing a lot of updates on Facebook and Instagram from parents who are exhausted after another bout of Covid, RSV, cold or flu has gone through the family.
I can't wait for Spring! But warmer weather is still a few weeks away..
It got me thinking this week about the little things we can do to make life a bit easier when things get stressful.
These don't have to be big things and none of them are world-changing, but they make a difference to how you feel during and at the end of the day.
Here are a few I tend to turn to when I'm having a tough week:
A stash of something just for you.
A little box of your favourite snacks, a few magazines, a tube of luxury hand cream, or a carefully curated Netflix watch list.. Something put aside specifically for your enjoyment and no one else. You’re important too!
30 mins of uninterrupted you time.
This could be a nighttime shower with no rushing, an afternoon nap with a cosy blanket, a gentle and quiet start to your morning before anyone else gets up, a 30-minute walk in the fresh air, a facial or massage at your favourite beauty place. I love jigsaw puzzles so time to quietly work on a puzzle is one of my faves :)
Being able to vent without judgement.
Yes, a positive outlook is helpful, but it’s not always easy to switch to positive mode when you’re in the thick of something difficult, tiring or stressful. Sometimes just having the chance to get something off your chest helps you get to a place where you can then let it go and start to focus on finding a positive angle. A phone call with a friend, a journal entry, or a rant to your partner can all help.
More time in bed.
My bed is a haven and yours should be too! Somewhere cosy and comfortable where you can truly rest and relax. I like to spend as much time here as possible ;) A sleep-in, an early night, an afternoon nap, breakfast in bed, dinner in bed, reading time alone or with the kids in bed.
Don’t worry, I don’t do them all on the same day.. but I won’t judge if you do :)
A night off cooking.
Not needing to cook makes a huge difference in the flow of your evening and how relaxed you feel. If you get the opportunity to ditch cooking every now and again, take it! Go out for a nice dinner out, get a takeaway, heat up a ready-made meal or something you’ve batched and frozen earlier, or assemble something simple like a salad wrap with ham. We have an extended family dinner night once a week and take turns hosting & cooking, which is always fun and even easier when it’s not your week to cook!
I hope you found these ideas helpful and you get a chance to add one to your week. If you’re ready for next steps in making life easier as a parent, you might to check out my popular House & Family Binder. It’s a simple set of prints to help you reduce the mental load and streamline the running of your household, and I’m adding digital versions of each planning print too to make it even easier to use! Check it out here anytime.
x Marissa
