Last week was Spring Break for my two daughters. This year my husband, Geoff, took Katie and Madeleine to AZ for a visit. (We used to live there, Geoff still has business there and my in-laws winter there). And me? I stayed home. Alone! That's right. I had the entire house to myself for a week. Eight days and 7 nights of peace and quiet and no distractions. Can you say heaven?
I had a wonderful week full of a good balance of activities and quiet time. I attended two shows (one in NYC), a movie, a museum exhibit, a literary performance, a garden show, got a pedicure, got together with two HS friends I hadn't seen in 28 years and had dinner out with a friend and another dinner with family. All that in addition to enjoying quiet mornings and evenings., having complete control of the remote control and the sofa and I didn't have to share the bathroom with two teenage girls. What more can a girl ask for?
There is something very rejuvenating about having your house to yourself for an extended period of time with few or no obligations. As wives and moms, we are constantly being pulled in a million different directions. We are always "on" - dealing with the distractions of our own lives and the needs and obligations of the others in our families. And as wonderful as vacations and girls weekends are, somehow having the solitude and serenity that comes with being alone in your own home is actually more relaxing and renewing than time away from home and family.
For all you harried and overworked wives and moms out there, I highly encourage you to try to arrange your own Home Alone Vacation. Even if only for a night or a weekend. Don't feel guilty about it. It's OK, healthy even, to take this time to be alone. To get in touch with your own needs and to quiet your mind. Everyone deserves a little R & R. Even wives and moms.
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13 comments:
Pam, it sounds wonderful!! Heaven. You're so right - we women spend our lives taking care of everyone else. I know I rarely do anything at all for myself. I went on a women's retreat this weekend, along with two close friends, and it was great to be on my own without being responsible for other people, though it was tiring for me to be with a group. A week alone sounds like absolute heaven - and you sound so refreshed!
Glad you got to enjoy it.
Sue
Years ago, when I was a harried full time working mother, I took almost a week off and went to the beach. Alone. With my Dear Hubby's full blessing. It was the greatest gift I ever gave myself. End of story.
I think ESPECIALLY wives and moms deserve it! Good for you. That's quite a list of events. Doesn't sound like you had a lot of time to rest but who cares? You can rest later.
I'm so glad you got some nice alone time.
I have to say that the home alone thing is nice with roommates too. I live with a married couple that never go ANYWHERE. Sometimes they'll take off for an evening, but they never stay out super late. In the two years we've lived together, I have spent exactly ONE entire night in the house alone. An entire week would be a level of heaven I couldn't even begin to imagine.
Wow, you did more in a week alone than I do in 6 months alone!
There's something inspirational about an empty house. (As long as it isn't that way all the time!)
No matter how much you love em, it is an amazingly freeing feeling, exhilarating really, to have some time to yourself. All of my kids and my husband were gone all at the same time a couple of weeks ago. It was only for a couple of days but if you can believe it, the first time I was alone in 35 years! I relished every minute of it. (I knew they'd all be back soon enough!) I'm gald you enjoyed your mini vacation at home. Girls just wanna have fun, right?
It sounds delightful. I would love it. Home alone, or away alone, in fact! ;) I love the graphic used, too. It just makes me feel relaxed!
Sounds like a great recharge for you. God that you got the chance to focus on yourself.
There's so much pressure to be the good mom, that I think we feel guilty about taking time to ourselves. But it can be incredibly wonderful. And as I say this, I'm realizing the last time I did this was three years ago.
Funny! I just did a post on Home Alone! Pop by and give it a read. But the bottom line is..I crave to just be alone with my thoughts.
I crave just being in the house alone. It doesn't happen often, but when it does I enjoy it even if I'm doing exactly what I'd do if hubby were home. Go figure.
I agree, we all need a break. I love getting away now and then..not sure I could do it at home though. I think there would be too much around me to make me work. Time to start planning!
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