By Mrs. B Finesse, M.S.
I Was Burning Out…Until I Started Budgeting for “Me Time”
There I was, sitting in my car before going into work one morning, totally burnt out. As a busy mom juggling parenting, my career, bills, my marriage – I had nothing left to give. I was running on fumes.
In my never-ending responsibilities, I had forgotten to budget for someone very important – myself. Self-care had gone out the window. And now stress and exhaustion meant I couldn’t be fully present for all those counting on me.
I realized investing in my well-being wasn’t selfish – it would ultimately help me take better care of my loved ones. I decided to start budgeting for self-care just like any other expense. And it changed everything!
While it felt frivolous at first to spend money on myself, I quickly noticed the mental health benefits. Here’s what I started budgeting for:
A monthly massage – this self-gifting reduced my anxiety and back pain.
Twice weekly quality conversations – this is so important and invaluable for processing stress,
talking to your spouse, an accountability coach, focus group or therapist.
A standing desk – to avoid burnout in my home office.
Audiobooks – great during my commute to give my mind a break.
Mindfulness app – this is a reliable way to keep your mind at peace by giving reminders to take time to stop and be grateful or practice breathing to relax.
Finding little ways to pour back into myself made me a better version of me. I had more energy for my kids, more creativity at work, more exciting experiences with my husband, and more joy in everyday moments. And it all started with applying the power of budgeting towards my wellness.
If you’re feeling depleted, I urge you to identify one self-care activity to budget for, even if it’s as simple as a weekly bubble bath or monthly trip to the movies alone. You can’t pour from an empty cup – and self-care budgets ensure your cup stays full.
Embrace the Millennial Finesse Mindset by being grateful, a proactive planner, taking control of your finances and focusing on Faithfully Innovating, Inspiring others, being Naturally Effective, and Seek Success Everyday!
Will you join me in investing in your mental and physical health? I’d love to hear your ideas!