Mummascribbles – Taking time out to focus on the simple things in life – Mummascribbles

In collaboration with Bupa

You may have noticed yesterday that I was absent from social media. For a whole 24 hours I switched off. I did not check my Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. I have no idea what happened in people’s lives yesterday, just as no-one on social media knows what happened in mine. It’s so rare for me to take a break of silence and I often waste way too much time scrolling aimlessly through the feeds. Interestingly, new research from Bupa shows that we are now more unlikely than ever to take some time out, owing to work commitments, social pressures and technology. 

Usually, it’s difficult for me to take time out. I mean time away from a computer? As a blogger? That’s just not possible right?! My blog is my business and alongside the writing of posts, A LOT of time is spent online. It is just part and parcel of it. In order to get the page views, I have to promote myself and the only way to do that is on social media. 

Then I remembered back to a few months ago when my phone broke and I went two whole weeks only being able to access my social media accounts on my laptop. And with two children, going on the laptop in their wakeful hours is pretty much a no go! So I coped. My blog didn’t suffer as much as I thought it might and I know that the other half and the boys benefitted from that extra time that they had my full attention.  

So, I decided that you know what? Maybe it will be a good thing to take some time out for me and for my boys. And maybe it will be good for you to see that it can be done! So I teamed up with Bupa to hit pause on my active schedule and encourage you to embrace those glorious moments of rest after a busy day; of recovery after exercise, or of repair after an injury, so that you can get back to doing what you love quicker. Because we are all so busy aren’t we? Working parents are busy trying to juggle a million balls at once whilst trying to find some me time. Stay at home parents are busy trying to keep the children entertained, breaking up sibling fights and providing the many, many regular snacks and meals whilst clock watching to count down to when they can go to the toilet on their own.  

Taking time out isn’t celebrated enough – we live in a culture where being non-stop is praised and even considered normal behaviour. I know more than anyone that it can sometimes be exacerbated by social media, especially when we may see other parents managing their time and what they get done in that time, better than us. But that is the world of social media isn’t it? Everyone is living a life that we aspire to – or think we do!  

And so yesterday, I took 24 hours off. I switched my phone off completely. I took Zach to nursery and got home and it was just Oscar and I. We cuddled, we played, we laughed, we smiled and we went to Baby Sensory as we always do. In between those times, I didn’t go onto my phone, I didn’t log into my laptop. Instead, I drank tea, I ate cake and I read magazines. I took some time for myself in the times that he was asleep. 

Usually, I am straight onto the laptop doing work, checking my emails, writing blog posts, scheduling social media. Instead, I just relaxed. For me, that is enough. There will come a time when I might throw in a workout when I am having some me time but for now, when I have two young children, one of which is still breastfeeding, my perfect me-time is to be sat with a cuppa and a magazine. And when Zach came home from nursery, I focused on him. I sat with him whilst he chilled out after his busy day, we talked and we cuddled. My sole focus was on him and Oscar, not on who had done what on Facebook. 

It is so important for us, as parents, to take some time for ourselves, mentally and physically so that we are the best that we can be for our children.  

Similarly, Bupa looks at health and wellbeing wholly and believes that small acts like taking time out are vital for recovery and our ongoing general wellbeing. What’s more, to make taking care of ourselves that bit easier, I recently learnt that Bupa now offers a range of pay as you go offers, meaning that you can see a GP or a physio when it works for you, without needing health insuance or a contract.  

So, whilst it’s very easy to put ourselves at the bottom of the list, this doesn’t have to be the case. I urge you to spend some time on you. Do what I did. Switch off your phone. Spend nap times napping. Have a bath, read a magazine. Whatever floats your boat. 

And outside of naptimes, take in everything your children are doing. Work will still be there, but your children will just keep growing. 

Blink and you’ll miss it. 

For more information on Bupa pay as you go, visit www.bupa.co.uk/_payg.