Why ‘Me Time’ is a Non-Negotiable – Even as a Busy Mum

How 10 Minutes of Self-Care a Day Helped Me Show Up Stronger for My Family, My Goals, and Myself

I used to feel guilty for wanting time to myself.

There was always something more “important” to do — finish a university assignment, prep dinner, soothe a crying child, review a client’s invoice, or finish a module in my bookkeeping course. Even when I did squeeze in a moment to breathe, I’d spend it scrolling on my phone or thinking about everything I hadn’t done.

For a long time, I believed that real mums, real students, real professionals — just powered through it all. No breaks. No excuses.

Until my body — and my spirit — started breaking down.

The Wake-Up Call

It was a Wednesday. I’d been up all night with my youngest, who had a fever, and I had an online exam scheduled for 10 a.m. My brain was foggy. I hadn’t eaten breakfast. I was still in my pyjamas. The toddler was whining, the older two were bickering, and my partner was stuck at work.

When I finally sat down to start the exam, my hands shook. My mind went blank. I froze.

Afterwards, I sat on the floor next to the cot and cried. Not because of the exam. But because I was exhausted — emotionally, mentally, and physically.

I realised something in that moment:
If I kept waiting for permission to take care of myself, I was going to burn out completely.

That’s when I decided — no matter how busy life got — I would carve out 10 minutes a day just for me.

Not for productivity.
Not for studying.
Not for anyone else.

Just for me.

The Shift That Changed Everything

At first, it felt selfish. But after a few weeks of practising consistent, intentional “me time,” everything started to shift.

I became more patient with my children.
I focused better during my lectures and finance training.
I showed up to work more present and productive.
I felt more connected to my bigger goals — becoming a personal finance coach and building my business.

That 10-minute daily ritual became the foundation for everything else I was trying to build.

Because the truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. But if you refill it — even a little each day — you have so much more to give.

How Self-Care Supercharged My Productivity

Here’s what I discovered:

1. Clarity improves when you pause.
Instead of rushing from task to task, those quiet moments helped me think. I made smarter decisions and stopped wasting energy on things that didn’t matter.

2. My energy became more sustainable.
Rest isn’t laziness. Rest is strategy. When I stopped seeing exhaustion as normal, I started using my energy wisely, focusing on high-impact goals like launching my first workshop or finishing a finance module.

3. My inner voice got louder — in a good way.
Self-care helped me reconnect with myself. I started asking: What do I really want today? How do I want to feel? Am I living in alignment with my goals?

4. I stopped resenting my responsibilities.
Motherhood, work, and study didn’t feel like punishments anymore. They became extensions of my purpose, not burdens I had to carry alone.

But How Do You Find Time for You?

It starts with this mindset:
You’re not asking for too much. You’re asking for the bare minimum.

You don’t need a spa day. You need a system. That’s why I created something simple that helped me stay consistent, even on the busiest days.

Quick resets to help you recharge and show up as your best self.

Routine #1: Mindful Morning Grounding (Before the kids wake up)

2 mins: Stretch in bed and take 3 deep breaths.
3 mins: Write down one intention for the day.
5 mins: Listen to a calming or motivational audio while brushing your teeth or making breakfast.

Routine #2: Midday Reset (During nap time or lunch break)

3 mins: Sit somewhere quiet. Breathe deeply and scan your body.
4 mins: Brain-dump your thoughts on paper (no filter).
3 mins: Sip a hot drink slowly — no distractions, just sip and be.

Routine #3: Evening Wind-Down

2 mins: Light a candle or use calming essential oil.
5 mins: Journal one win, one challenge, and one hope.
3 mins: Do gentle stretches to release tension from your back and shoulders.

Ready to Take Action?

You’re not lazy. You’re overwhelmed.
You don’t need more pressure — you need more pause.

Start with just one of these 10-minute routines this week. Set a reminder. Honour it like you would a meeting or a deadline. Protect it like a sacred appointment with your future self — the one who’s thriving, healthy, and coaching women through their financial breakthroughs.

Because you deserve you, too.
The Balanced Wealth Studio