Sharing is Caring!

The Perfect Recipe for Some Much-Needed “Me Time”

One of my worst habits is taking on too much at once. Although I see myself as driven, others view me more as controlling. I stand by the belief that if you want to get something done right, you have to do it yourself. And more often than not, this stretches me thin.

Just after graduation, I was in the middle of one of the most stressful periods of my life. I was working full time, looking for a post-grad job and wrapping up a final semester. And on top of that, my family and home life was in shambles – I was caring for my ailing mother, taking on mom-duty for my youngest siblings, helping out my oldest sibling financially, and running my own household. Needless to say, I had a lot of balls in the air.

Overworked and Under-Thanked

The days had begun to take on a blur. I was moving from one disaster situation to the next, trying to remain strong, wise, and patient. I felt like my family desperately needed a pillar of strength, and I naturally felt drawn to be that pillar.

Every morning would start early for house and homework. Then I’d rush to the hospice and spend a few hours with my mother. I’d head straight to my full-time job, then spend the evening finishing house and homework.

Days off disappeared. I could only visit my younger siblings on my days off, and I also needed those times to grocery shop, run errands, check in on my older siblings, and really get the house in order.

And sleep was quickly kissed goodbye; the level of stress I was dealing with brought on the worse insomnia I had ever had.

Reaching the End of My Rope

Then one day, I snapped. I came home from work, faced my partner, and cried for hours. I had been focusing all of my energy on helping my family, focusing on finishing school, and preparing for the future. I had completely turned off caring for myself in the present.

His answer? “Take a break.”

How could I take a break? I couldn’t just walk away – I had loans, I had precious time, I had responsibility. I had so much going on, I could barely even sleep.

Instead, I headed into the kitchen. It was a hot night, a pretty common occurrence for the early summer months in Arizona. I needed a cool drink, and a soak in the bath. Normally, my partner is my bartender. But this night I needed to – surprise – do this on my own.

What resulted has become a staple in my late night “me-time” moments: a light cocktail, mixed with the remnants of groceries left over that week – a half-finished bottle of Perrier, leftover Bubbly Red Moscato, the last remaining strawberries in the pack, and some lime. I call it my Mini “Me Time” Helper.

Understanding the Importance of “Me Time”

That night, as I dipped my feet into the water of the tub, making sure it was the perfect temperature, I realized that taking care of myself is just as important as taking care of others. And even if it was just 20 minutes a day, it was important to make time for.

I found other mini “me times” – a quick nap on the sofa, taking the scenic route to listen to music,  even some alone time shopping were just enough to give myself the space I needed to breathe. And whenever that “me time” takes place at home, I’m sure to have my little helper with me.

Mini “Me-Time” Helper

Makes two drinks. Multiply to create a full pitcher.

Ingredients:

4 strawberries

2 Tablespoons simple syrup

3 oz sparkling water (Like Perrier or La Croix)

12-20 oz Pink Moscato (Like Barefoot’s Pink Moscato Champagne)

1 lime

Directions:

1. Muddle, or smash, the strawberries with a fork. Divide them into two glasses.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of simple syrup into each glass
3. Add 1.5 oz of sparkling water into each glass
4. Pour 6-10 oz of moscato into each glass – watch for the fun fizzle!
5. Cut lime in half. Use one half to squeeze a healthy share of juice into the drink. Use the other half for garnish.

Sparkling drinks are a great way to cool off in the summer, no matter where you live. They can be cocktails, or mocktails, like this Sparkling Watermelon Refresher. No matter how you imbibe, just remember to make that moment about you. You’ll thank me later.

Sharing is Caring!