Like many women these days who are trying to juggle a career and a family at the same time, it seems like I hardly have time to myself. From the moment the alarm goes off at 6:30 AM, I’m up preparing breakfast and school lunch for my children and the typical chaotic morning begins.On most days, I go straight to gym after dropping off the children at school. To be honest, I absolutely dread going especially when I had less than 5 hours of sleep. My mind is telling me I need to work out while my body wants to go home and stay in a warm, comfy bed. I usually start working around 10 AM, either testing new recipes or starting a new post. Meanwhile the house is untidy, the clean laundry waiting to be folded is piled on the sofa, and dust waits patiently as it sticks itself all over the whole house. As a mom and a wife, I honestly admit it’s hard to do everything well. Before I started Just One Cookbook and when my children were younger, my home was definitely cleaner, laundry was always folded immediately, and I had bit more time to myself. Unfortunately the reality is that I have less and less time (at least I feel that way). So these days, after having a light lunch while responding to emails on my iPad at the same time, I give myself a 15 minute break. These 15 minutes belong to myself – no emails or social media. I pick my favorite tea of the moment, heat the water in my electric kettle, and pick a few cookies out of the cookie jar. This is one of the moments I look forward to the most during the day, just sipping my tea, enjoying the cookies, and doing a little light reading. I try not to think about everything else that I had to do that day or week, and just let my mind clear.
Among our snack choices, there is one that’s especially dear to my heart. It’s the very first American cookies I had at my host family’s house when I moved to the United States, and that’s Pepperidge Farm® Milano® cookies. It was my host mom’s favorite cookies and it was always in the pantry. I still remembered the moment I tried it the very first time. I loved the crispy light wafers sandwiched around the delicate chocolate fillings. Simply irresistible! When my 15 minute break is up, I have about 1 hour of work time left before the chaos resume. My afternoon is soon occupied with driving to karate lessons, swim class, and art class, doing homework, and preparing dinner. At least I know for tomorrow, I will still have my 15 minutes of sanctuary and me time.
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tweeted https://twitter.com/mom22girlz/status/596203124232097792
I find time for myself with a good book or a movie.
I can totally relate to having a busy life, let alone I do not have any children. I have never thought of giving myself a 15 minute break on a super busy day but I think it is a wonderful idea. To be honest, when I go on breaks at work, I usually just sit in front of the computer and read peoples blogs, including yours! Its so therapeutic for me to see pictures of food. Thanks for taking the time and effort to test new recipes and sharing them with everyone. I love your blog!
https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/596162664218300416
I enjoy a moment to myself by drinking a cup of coffee during busy days.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
To enjoy a moment, I like to savor a small but delicious snack and then doodle mindlessly, without thinking much about what I’m drawing or feel pressured that the drawing has to be “good”. It usually ends up being very creative that way!
I don’t always get to do this, but I love having a leisurely morning during which I can fix breakfast while scrolling through instagram and eat lazily in front of my computer.
I tweeted about this promotion. https://twitter.com/PJGurganus/status/595608939783430144
I enjoy a moment to myself during busy days by sitting out on the patio with a good book and a nice glass of wine.
After I drop off the kids at school and before I start work, I get some “me” time catching up on my favorite blog like yours!
Milanos have a special place in my heart, too. : ) For “me” time, I like to get up earlier than everyone else and have a little time to go through my short workout routine and eat breakfast. I think a quiet break for breakfast or lunch, with a good book, is precious “me” time.
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/595563169319366656
I wake up early in order to take the time to get in a good workout before work. It is the one thing I do for me and it makes me feel better.
I get up 5.30 am.. And i just dream about getting up at 6.30 😀
I enjoy a hot bubble bath and these cookies for me time.