Me in December “Its been a good year hey, I don’t think I need to change much in 2019” January 2019 “ I have a lot to focus on and I need change this year” lol… Well, part of all the changes has to start with creating more ESCAPE time of course. The main reason why most of us Mamas are unable to be consistent with our hobbies is because of time limitations, no extra hands and absolute fatigue completely disregarding how revitalizing as little as 15min can be to us. I believe in ESCAPES so much and I have tried many hobbies and I must say I love most of them and today I will be sharing my 5 favorite that I find to be more practical for my busy schedule with a terrible two. In your attempt to find your favorite hobbies for 2019 I dare you to try all of these and 15min does it, you may love them so much and guess what, when you choose to do what you love, time will avail itself.
JOGGING

Before me even deciding to put on my tights to go jog, I used to get a little voice saying “you will get more tired, walk rather” lol… I don’t know if it’s because jogging is associated with running where we get sweaty and breathe heavily so it doesn’t feel like a relaxing activity but this is usually a dreaded activity, I used to dread it too until fatigue did a real number one me, I used to be exhausted all day but then feel wired at night, only to wake up tired again loll… a hot mess. Jogging has to be my favorite activity now; it got me back to sleeping better at night. The most crucial time for busy moms! I love jogging in the mornings with crispy fresh air running through my lungs and listening to praise and worship songs or gqom lol… aahhhh.. getting amped just thinking about it. I think jogging gives me a sense of accomplishment with each milestone on the clock and my set track so it mentally sets us up for success but most importantly for us busy Mamas it’s a Royal Sleep guarantee.
WALKS

I often find that through all the madness we bring to our lives it takes a simple act of slowing down to live in the moment, that split second, and those moments are more effective when we connect with nature. It always balls down to that. I simple walk around the neighborhood to start or unpack the day has done a lot for my mind, I always walk back in the house so excited to do extra treats and spoils for my Pholobs. What I also love about the walk is its ability to bring us together as a family, afternoon strolls are lovely, especially after dinner, we get to catch up without any distraction like tv, laundry or the dishes and what better way to seal the day than jolly child, while holding hands and stealing kisses with your one, instead of watching screens and switching between the news and Peppa pig to please everyone in the name of family time lol… issa mess!
MEDITATION

Creative mind are rarely tidy, I know this because mine isn’t lol… I imagine it to be like Cinderella who never rested cleaning the house all day and getting enslaved in the process but ultimately she got what was meant for her. At the end of the day the mind is packed with all kinds of rubbish and victories all which must be unpacked and segregated to either last or get lost. I have entered into a very meaningful activity, meditation, and while I’m still such a baby in this and my mind wonders a lot, I know I want to stick around and master this one. A moment of stillness is all we need in our attempt to find the purest of internal joy. I’m on guided meditation and I find it very helpful to gather my thoughts and re-shift my focus until I don’t think at all.
A friend told me I will love this activity the most because my mind will get some rest, she was right but the more I meditate I notice that as my minds rests it creates more space for fresher ideas. I get more creative when I meditate daily, so before I open my laptop I try to meditate. I also find it to be the quickest and quietest trick to declutter and recenter my thoughts in order to move positively through my day. At home when Sama is doing my head in, I deal with her and as soon as I get some silence I take 5 minutes to meditate just to find some calmness and embrace living in the moment. I think I want to share a lot more about my meditation journey on a whole new blog post because I’m getting all kinds of Zen as I type this lol…
HIKING

“We’ve become strangers to nature and the best way to live longer, healthier lives is to re-wild ourselves by returning to nature whenever we can” I love hiking, never mind that on my first hike in 2009 I wore shorts and exposed my legs to every kind tree leaf in the bush that resulted to the most throbbing skin inflammation, a bath time I will never forget lol… but we try new things with an open mind to learn, that was ten years ago.
Connecting with nature elevates our well being. The waterfalls, green grass, massive rocks, birds melody, sun rays from blue skies through tall trees ahhh.. somebody stop me! That feeling of engaging and connecting with a larger world, outside myself. The feeling of extending myself and my perception beyond focusing on my own self, my needs, worries, regrets or desires the future. That is a feeling to own at least ones a month. I have only hiked with my husband and absolutely love it every time. We catch up, we dream and we embrace the silence. I am usually ready to take over the world after hikes lol… this has led to the recent event that I’m planning for Mama Escapees, we are going on a hike together and the excitement is sky scrapping. It will be my first big group hike and some of the Mama will be hiking for the first time, I am grateful for the idea to bring such experiences to people and I can’t wait.
READING

I used to like reading but it slowly faded with age and having a toddler. The book is not yours alone it becomes ours and the pages dont look so good after that. Unfortunately my Dr said no running for me because of my back problems,so when im not plannning on falling pregnant i got to the gym, once i am i have to stop because i am a high risk on that department as well. So i think after baby number 2 i will go back to the gym for good now, i want to be a yummy mummy too.
hehehe on that yummy mummy tip lol… no pressure bo! take it easy Mama hope you will be able to catch up on some reading during your maternity leave.
thanks for stopping by 🙂
I enjoy the walks especially doing it with my boys, it gives us that connection time and also to recap from the forever busy days. Because life gets us so busy that we end up taking those small important things for granted. And I’ve always wanted to go for hiking it just never happened, so I’m really excited for the upcoming event hosted by the so lovely mamma (Londy)? Hiking!! and as for jogging I always feel like I’m losing my breath lol,but I’ll be happy to also try meditation.
hahaha… thanks for popping in Mama. Im glad to learn that you enjoy atleast one of these wellness hobbies, keeping yourself hydrated with your best alkaline water 🙂 See you soon 🙂
My favourite is jogging. I stopped coz I wanted to it with hubby but he’s fast and always leaves me behind. I tried going alone it felt good but a busy schedule got in the way. I’m going back this year, starting Feb; was going start in Jan but we have a month long fast at church this month, another reason why I’ll be missing your ESCAPE. Loooovvvvveee your blog. Stay blessed.
Oh I see Mama, all the best and we will see on our next event 🙂 goodluck keeping up with hubby’s jogging pace when you do go back in Feb lol… thanks for popping in 🙂
Reading has to be the greatest escape I have ever had to discover. I buy ebooks, and in a short space, my library was packed!
My whole body start aching at the thought of jogging, that’s how much I dread it… but I am looking forward to hiking with mamas and hopefully developing a new hobby.
Ive been meditating on meditation, you might help me kick start this one.
Reading has to be the greatest escape ive ever discovered. I read ebooks and my library was packed in short space of time.
My body starts aching at the thought of jogging, that’s how much I dread it but I am looking forward to hiking with mamas and hopefully developing a new hobby.
I’ve been meditating on meditation, I’ve got a feeling that you will help me kick start this one!
hahahaha…. “meditating on meditation” we will baby step together on this on Mama no worries. See you soon 🙂
Love jogging, never tried meditation but willing to, jogging forvme has another name…… Meeting the snakes.. Lol, I only read a book after exams to relax my mind, will walk after 55 for now I enjoy running lol
lol… you seem to be trying it all well Mama, You are lucky to enjoy the healthiest of them all, jogging 🙂