5 Simple Steps to Discover Hidden Pockets of Me-Time (even on your busiest days!)

When was the last time you did something for yourself, mama? I’m not talking about a big, luxurious spa day or a solo weekend trip (although those sound amazing). I mean carving out a few moments just for YOU, even in the midst of your busy, chaotic days.

If you’ve ever felt like self-care is impossible because you’re juggling kids, chores, and everything else life throws at you, this post is for you. Finding time for yourself doesn’t have to be complicated or require big chunks of time. The real secret is learning how to discover the hidden pockets of me-time already in your day and making the most of them.

In today’s post, I’ll walk you through 5 easy steps to uncover these moments and show you how to use them for simple self-care that will leave you feeling recharged. And if you’re looking for a quick win, be sure to grab my Self-Care Success Guide. It’s packed with strategies and inspiration to help you prioritize yourself without the overwhelm!

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Find Your Why

Let’s start with the foundation: your why. Why is it important to make time for yourself? This step may seem unnecessary at first, but trust me—it’s what keeps you going when life feels chaotic.

When you have a clear reason for prioritizing self-care, it’s so much easier to stick with it. Maybe your why is to be more present and patient with your kids, to feel more like yourself again, or to recharge so you can handle the daily stress of motherhood. Whatever your reason, take a moment to reflect and get honest with yourself.

For example, one of my whys is simple: I know that when I take even five minutes to breathe, stretch, or read a book in peace, I’m a much more patient mom. Knowing that keeps me motivated to carve out that time—even when it feels impossible.

Here’s how to find your why:

• Reflect on your struggles: What part of your day feels overwhelming? How would a little me-time make a difference?

• Think about the bigger picture: How will prioritizing yourself improve your overall well-being and your family life?

• Write it down: Keep your why somewhere visible as your daily reminder.

Step 2: Look at Your Day-to-Day Activities

The next step is to get clear on your current routine. Often, the hidden moments of me-time are right in front of your nose—you just haven’t noticed them yet.

Take a closer look at your day-to-day activities. Are there moments where you’re waiting around or multitasking? For example:

• Waiting for dinner to cook?

• Sitting in the school pick-up line?

• Folding laundry?

• Or watching the kids play?

These moments might seem small, but they can add up to meaningful opportunities for self-care. To get started, I recommend taking note of your daily activities for one full day. If it helps, write everything down, from the time you wake up to when you go to bed, and highlight any gaps or "in-between" moments where you might be able to fit in a quick self-care activity.

Pro tip: If you feel like you don’t have any spare time, try cutting back on phone scrolling or TV time. Even 5-10 minutes reclaimed from these habits can be used for something that truly fills your cup.

Step 3: Come Up with a List of Quick Self-Care Activities

Now that you’ve identified potential pockets of time, it’s time to plan what you’ll do with them. The key here is to keep it simple and doable—no elaborate prep required.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Listen to a podcast or audiobook

• Do a 5-minute yoga session (YouTube is your best friend for this!)

• Step outside for a quick walk around the block

• Read a chapter of your favourite book

• Enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee without distractions

Bonus points if you can pair self-care with your existing tasks. For example, I love listening to an audiobook while I wash the dishes, or applying an eye mask while I fold laundry.

Pro tip: Keep a running list of your favourite self-care ideas so you’re never stuck wondering what to do during your free moments!

Step 4: Make a Plan and Write It Down

Once you’ve chosen a self-care activity, the next step is to make it a priority by writing it down. Think of it as an appointment with yourself—one you’re not allowed to cancel. (seriously!)

For example:

• "I will do 10 minutes of yoga while dinner cooks."

  OR

• "I will listen to my audiobook while driving to school pick-up."

To make this habit stick, start small. Pick one time slot and one activity to focus on for a whole week. Once that becomes part of your routine, you can layer in additional moments of self-care throughout your day.

Writing it down not only holds you accountable but also serves as a visual reminder of the promise you’ve made to yourself.

Step 5: Track Your Progress

This final step is all about celebrating your wins, no matter how small. Keeping track of your progress not only boosts motivation but also helps you see how far you’ve come!

Use a simple checklist, journal, or even a planner to note when you’ve completed your self-care activity each day. You could even give yourself a little gold star—because let’s be honest, moms deserve ALL the gold stars!

And remember, life happens. If you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up. Give yourself grace and simply pick up where you left off the next day. Progress, not perfection, is the goal here.

Prioritizing me-time doesn’t have to be overwhelming or time-consuming. By finding your why, identifying hidden moments in your day, and committing to simple self-care activities, you can start showing up for yourself—and your family—in a whole new way.

And if you’re ready to take this journey even further, download my Self-Care Success Guide. It includes everything we talked about in this article, plus tools to help you plan, write out, and track your self-care goals so you can stay consistent and make self-care a natural part of your day.

Now over to you—what’s one hidden pocket of me-time you’re excited to reclaim? Let me know in the comments below!