The arrival of my daughter brought with it a surprising realization – a scarcity of rest. Rest, which I had taken for granted, suddenly became a precious commodity. In an effort to combat burnout and rejuvenate myself, I decided to embark on a “momcation” – a night of indulgence at a luxurious five-star hotel and spa. While I adore my daughter, this solo trip opened my eyes to the fact that I needed more relaxation in order to continue thriving. This content is locked. Thanks for signing up! Enjoy a personalized feed of your favorite topics while on the move. Download our app. Prior to becoming a mother, people often warned me about the loss of rest that comes with parenthood. I used to dismiss it as a silly notion. After all, I had eagerly awaited the arrival of my bundle of joy, envisioning idyllic moments of strolling hand in hand, baking in the kitchen, and singing together. Thankfully, my reality with my spirited 21-month-old daughter is not too far off from those dreams. However, there are aspects of my pre-motherhood life that I never anticipated missing as much as I do now. It is undeniable that parenting, regardless of how wonderful your child may be, comes with its fair share of challenges. For nearly two years, I have only been able to truly relax and be myself in fleeting moments, between the demands of motherhood. The people who warned me about the loss of rest were indeed right – it is a rare commodity. In order to recapture some of the aspects of my former self, I began taking “momcations” – short breaks to remind myself of life before constant caretaking. Mothers across the world are now reclaiming their time through these momcations. On social media, influencers often emphasize the importance of spending every moment possible with your children, hinting that we must cherish each of the “18 summers” we have with them. While I understand the sentiment, it can also create unnecessary pressure, making it seem like we are not allowed to prioritize ourselves. Luckily, many mothers are challenging this notion and carving out time for their own well-being through momcations. The idea behind these getaways is that by taking the time to decompress and rejuvenate, mothers will return home as better parents, fully equipped to handle the challenges that come their way. Popular videos on TikTok under the hashtag #momcation have garnered hundreds of thousands, even millions, of views. When I first broached the idea of a momcation with my husband, he was fully supportive, having witnessed the envy I sometimes expressed when he would talk about his hour-long commute to work. Amidst the joy and chaos of my daily life, I yearned for moments of silence, stillness, and relaxation that went beyond mindless scrolling on TikTok before bed. A week later, the time had arrived. I meticulously went over the plan with my husband, making sure he had everything he needed to take care of our daughter in my absence. Though I trusted him implicitly as a caregiver, I still felt a twinge of nervousness about leaving her for the first time. Nevertheless, I steeled myself, ready to embark on my 24 hours of complete freedom. I made my way to the Ham Yard Hotel bar in London’s Soho, where I enjoyed some creative work before indulging in a soothing berry tea at the hotel’s exquisite Soholistic Spa, where my pedicurist worked her magic. Afterward, I checked into Corinthia London, known to be the preferred hotel of none other than Beyoncé and Jay-Z when they visit the area. With its Michelin-starred chefs and the largest hotel spa in London, it’s no wonder this luxurious establishment is fit for royalty. If it’s good enough for Queen Bey, then it’s definitely good enough for me. Upon arrival, I wasted no time and made my way straight to the spa. The immense circular maze of ESPA Life, the underground thermal spa at Corinthia, enveloped me. I opted for a deep-muscle relaxation treatment, which included a brief meditation. To my surprise, and perhaps a touch of horror, I felt tears welling up in my eyes as my spa therapist, Maria, gently whispered, “This is your time to relax, your time to be calm.” As parents, we often struggle to give ourselves permission to relax. The never-ending list of tasks and responsibilities can make it difficult to find moments of true self-care. In that moment, I was immensely grateful for Maria’s explicit permission to claim the present and embrace the serenity surrounding me. Returning to my room, I felt a newfound sense of relaxation, a weight lifted off my shoulders. It was then that I realized I had the entire evening ahead of me, completely free. And yet, strangely enough, I was overcome with the same indecisiveness that often plagued me during my daughter’s nap times at home. With an abundance of free time before me, I pondered whether to take a long bath, watch a film, write, or venture out for a night on the town. In the end, I did it all. I savored solo cocktails, indulged in writing sessions within the confines of my beautiful room, luxuriated in a cavernous bath, and cozied up in bed to watch a film – all without once glancing at the clock. The following morning, I awoke feeling refreshed and well-rested. It astonished me how quickly my precious time away had flown by. Truly, nothing seems to move faster than those coveted moments of solitude. My momcation served as a powerful reminder of the importance of recentering and prioritizing self-care. I plan to embark on another momcation in the near future. As cliché as it may sound, I wouldn’t change a thing about my life. However, moments like these remind me of a podcast episode I hosted with Sophie Brock, a sociologist specializing in motherhood studies. In our conversation, we explored the concept of “mom guilt.” Sophie articulated that constantly sacrificing our own well-being as mothers can actually hinder the deeper connection we seek with our children. We don’t always have to strive to be the “perfect mother.” Being a “good enough” mother is more than sufficient. While I know I will undoubtedly miss the precious moments with my daughter as she grows, I firmly believe that time away from our children is equally important. When I look back, I refuse to have regrets about the instances in which I paused to rejuvenate and refill my own cup. Without a doubt, I will be embarking on another momcation. If you, too, find yourself needing a break, remember that it is perfectly okay. Whether it’s an hour, an afternoon, a night, or more – take the time you need. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
