This week, I watched an interesting video on social media that many career mums can relate to. In the video, titled Momfessions, a woman locks herself up in her washroom and retrieves a bottle of wine and starts enjoying it.
The woman has taken much needed break from the children to replenish her energies.
In the short clip, she encourages other mums who have not discovered this little secret of taking some time off from the noisy children that it is OK, once in a while to disappear and lock yourself in your peaceful space. Even for just eight minutes.
I totally agree and understand where she is coming from. Children are wonderful blessings and they bring nothing but joy and color in our lives, but truth be told, they also have a way to sap away energy from an already exhausted mum.
For a career mother especially one who has a toddler and a preschooler, like myself, life raising these precious angels can be overwhelming.
Once you just enter the house from work, no sooner have you removed your shoes to settle on the sofa than the young ones have started rummaging through your bag to find out what you have brought them.
"Mummy what have you brought me?" that is the first question my Class One daughter Tasha asks when I walk into the house.
And little Troy, having perfected his walking, is also all over me fighting for my attention.
Totally oblivious of the fact that mama has had a rough day at work and just wants some peace of mind, the children always fight for my attention.
I have to draw energies from my reservoir to engage and connect with them for a few minutes before I duck to my solace room. My solace room is my bathroom which I have turned into a mini spa-cum-haven.
To help me unwind and relax, I have spruced up my bathroom with beautiful things that give me a Hawaii feeling.
To calm my tense nerves, I have invested in exotic and beautiful things like scented candles and body baths which help me unwind. There is also a small stereo which I like to play instrumentals and classical, just to calm me down.
In my sanctuary, I also have an array of magazines on soft topics like travel, adventure, beauty and fashion which I love to read.
My daily ritual in my sanctuary, takes a cool one hour and my dear hubby, the children and my house girl know that once mama is locked in there, she is not to be interrupted, unless there is an emergency.
While in my sanctuary, I also meditate and reflect on various aspects of my life. I always look forward to getting home because of this little treat.
When I leave the sanctuary after that power hour, I am well rejuvenated and with a cool mood ready to play peek-a-boo with the kids.