Oh my gosh, give me a sip! I’m in the thick of sleep deprivation and I spend the many, many wakeful hours dreaming of and longing for time to myself, freedom to just go or be. Haven’t got very far beyond the longing yet, and need to get a list going so when the time comes I am ready to gulp it down! Brilliant post, thank you.
I love this and occasionally do it without actually realising I'm doing it. We have three kids, well practically adults now, and I went back to work full time almost right away. All of that meant frequently being exhausted, overwhelmed and just done with shit so having an understanding and participating husband, meant I could randomly call home and say I'll be late back tonight. I'd take myself off to the cinema for a couple of hours of pure escapism. Or to a bookshop for a new book and then eat dinner in a restaurant on my own.
By the time I got back home, I'd be back to being me and ready for deep breathing hugs.
I know that when I'm at home and have unexpected free time, I will fill it with housework or gardening or life work so making myself go out and DO something for me, feels bloody good.
Love the phrase sips of selfhood. I have been developing these pathways for a couple of years. I keep a list on my phone. I struggle in winter with low lights levels here in the bonnie North. I create a winter list- just writing it helps. Thanks for your writing Emma. Still missing your voice on Woman's Hour.
Oh yes! My OH once said he was going to sit for a while as he only had 30 minutes before his next appointment, not enough to do anything with. Thirty whole minutes! At the time we had two sleep thief tinies..30 minutes to himself.. He is the most generous of souls, he just didn’t realise how hemmed in I was. Sip, sip, sip.
Having got to the end of the week feeling utterly depleted after both my children’s birthdays and with Christmas on the horizon this really resonates. I think you touch on something so fundamental and yet so seemingly unobtainable. At least you’re ‘trying’. Good for you x
You are a wonderful writer. I do love the phrase sips of selfhood as with 2 wee ones that’s what it is. And time will pass and you will get more chances to do what you want but as you say so eloquently you must be ready! My favourite is ‘sparks of joy’ and I use it on a daily basis. Keep navigating all these spinning plates- which is a metaphor mixup!!
I love this phrase of 'sips of selfhood'. We need these sips as mums, no matter how long they are. Sometimes I find that having the smaller sips in amongst the chaos of family life is easier than having a few hours to myself. Like you say, getting back into family life after having a few hours alone can feel jarring. My sips of self hood atm are working on a huge Christmas crochet blanket (though it'll be a Christmas miracle if it's finished for Christmas!) and reading Christmas romance books. 🎄✨️
Oh my gosh, give me a sip! I’m in the thick of sleep deprivation and I spend the many, many wakeful hours dreaming of and longing for time to myself, freedom to just go or be. Haven’t got very far beyond the longing yet, and need to get a list going so when the time comes I am ready to gulp it down! Brilliant post, thank you.
I love this and occasionally do it without actually realising I'm doing it. We have three kids, well practically adults now, and I went back to work full time almost right away. All of that meant frequently being exhausted, overwhelmed and just done with shit so having an understanding and participating husband, meant I could randomly call home and say I'll be late back tonight. I'd take myself off to the cinema for a couple of hours of pure escapism. Or to a bookshop for a new book and then eat dinner in a restaurant on my own.
By the time I got back home, I'd be back to being me and ready for deep breathing hugs.
I know that when I'm at home and have unexpected free time, I will fill it with housework or gardening or life work so making myself go out and DO something for me, feels bloody good.
Love the phrase sips of selfhood. I have been developing these pathways for a couple of years. I keep a list on my phone. I struggle in winter with low lights levels here in the bonnie North. I create a winter list- just writing it helps. Thanks for your writing Emma. Still missing your voice on Woman's Hour.
Oh yes! My OH once said he was going to sit for a while as he only had 30 minutes before his next appointment, not enough to do anything with. Thirty whole minutes! At the time we had two sleep thief tinies..30 minutes to himself.. He is the most generous of souls, he just didn’t realise how hemmed in I was. Sip, sip, sip.
Having got to the end of the week feeling utterly depleted after both my children’s birthdays and with Christmas on the horizon this really resonates. I think you touch on something so fundamental and yet so seemingly unobtainable. At least you’re ‘trying’. Good for you x
Thanks for sharing Emma this resonates! How often have you heard “selfless” as a compliment about a mother 🙃🙃🙃
So true and actually dark when you think about it !
You are a wonderful writer. I do love the phrase sips of selfhood as with 2 wee ones that’s what it is. And time will pass and you will get more chances to do what you want but as you say so eloquently you must be ready! My favourite is ‘sparks of joy’ and I use it on a daily basis. Keep navigating all these spinning plates- which is a metaphor mixup!!
I love this phrase of 'sips of selfhood'. We need these sips as mums, no matter how long they are. Sometimes I find that having the smaller sips in amongst the chaos of family life is easier than having a few hours to myself. Like you say, getting back into family life after having a few hours alone can feel jarring. My sips of self hood atm are working on a huge Christmas crochet blanket (though it'll be a Christmas miracle if it's finished for Christmas!) and reading Christmas romance books. 🎄✨️