Some days it just feels impossible to get a moment to yourself, to catch a tiny breather. And most days it feels like that’s just what you need, just that tiny second to yourself to catch you breath and to let your mind unwind a little. And as always by YOU, I mean ME, I’m just always assuming we are on the same page — which we sorta are, cause you’re here and so are my words.
As a parent I just need a breather, sometimes.
As an urban dweller, I need some space from time to time (slash everyday).
And from working and living in a small space, I need “just a second” to my lonesome almost daily.
Sure I practice yoga, and that is my sanity saver but still as the day rolls on “moments alone” to get myself back on track are still often needed.

I realize I don’t always get those official alone moments and I’m pretty positive you don’t either (same page and all). But I also realized there are a few things I do to squeak moments in when I can, even the half assed type of seconds alone can be pretty sweet.

Okay, first let’s start with saying this isn’t a list telling you how to ignore everyone else around you cause that’s not cool. It’s more a list to help you/me capitalize on tiny moments and make them more intentional for you and hence make everyone happier. Because happy wife = happy life, really that equation works with any social situation – they just don’t all rhyme and sound awesome like wife/life (happy mom = happy hom(e)? doesn’t work).

TAKE AN EXTRA LONG TIME WASHING THOSE DISHES.
They need to be washed, and you are probably the gal for the job, right? Make it less dreadful (I loathe the dishes) and see it as a moment alone — even if the kids are running around you. Scrub each plate a little bit longer and breathe a little deeper — and make sure to leave the water running a tiny bit because that white noise in it self is a little relaxing. This also classifies as an ultimate, take what you can get when you’re a mom and loose most of your alone time, moment — isn’t it?

PUT YOUR HEADPHONES IN.
Not when you are home or anytime when you are with the kids! But those times when you are out shopping, “alone” in a busy store or mall, walking “alone” down the street or maybe taking a busy subway. Popping your headphones in and turning on your music can instantly take you from a busy chaotic place to a secluded moment “alone” (a sudo alone moment). Years ago when I used to travel a long distance to my job, I didn’t have a music player (ipods were expensive for a new graduate, then) but I put headphones in my ears and stuck the plug-in into my pocket anyways, in an effort to be left alone while traveling — it was like magic, all of sudden the awkward stranger small talk/uncomfortable being hit on situations ended.

GRAB A COFFEE OR TEA.
Even if the world and your kids are moving a mile a minute around you. Having something that is yours and yours alone, is a pretty good stand in for a moment alone. So grab a tea, and just breathe it in — ok not literally.

BRING YOUR NAIL POLISH TO THE PARK.
No time to paint your nails at home? And what the heck is a professional pedicure anyways? Well, just give yourself a park side manicure. Keep an eye on the littles (probably doesn’t work for really little, littles) have a moment to yourself plus your nails will dry a but quicker outside. My new favorite thing is painting my nails while they kids have their TBall practice, I’m so in my moment I don’t even care that people are giving me weird looks.

PACK A SNACK NO ONE LIKES.
It sounds really mean, but I swear it’s not! Pack snacks for the kids (of course you already do) and maybe husband too, but also pack something that that is just for you. Take a second, if only a second to snack on something. It’s also pretty nice to not always be eating just the kids leftovers — and maybe they can have your leftovers?

THE EXTRA LONG BATHROOM TRIP.
You know the one, I know you do! The old, tell everyone you have to do a #2 when really you just for a #1 and sit there for a bit longer to take a breath. I’d say this is the last resort, but by the end of the day if all your moments alone, attempts have been faltered, the extra long bathroom trip is there for you!

Tell me! What do you do to grab a moment alone, when you aren’t actually alone?