This post is sponsored by Armitron. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If there is one thing I cannot stress enough and it’s the importance of taking time for yourself. Why is it so important? Because the time we spend alone with ourselves improves our physical and mental health. Without moments to ourselves it’s only a matter of time before we become less focused, short tempered in addition to feeling tired and overworked.
So what exactly is keeping moms from taking time that they so desperately need and deserve? The answer is simple. Time. It’s the one thing moms truly don’t have enough of. Time is something we talk about and say we’re going to take for ourselves, yet the lack of hours in a day prevents us enjoying life’s simplest pleasures. Taking time for oneself is a task that is truly easier said than done.
I know this from personal experience as I cannot tell you how many weekends since January I said I was going to the spa. I can tell you it’s more than a dozen. How many times did I make it there? None. I made it zero times. But that’s not surprising. Moms all over, myself included, find it increasing difficult to even carve out the smallest amount of time for themselves. Oh yes, I struggle with it just like you. And it’s quite understandable. We have jobs (in and out of the home), homes to care for, kids to care for, PTA meetings, after school extracurricular activities, etc. Hectic work/home schedules always leaves little room for mom to have time to herself.
So I decided to take a stand. Two weeks ago I opened my calendar and went to the first weekend that I was free and marked a day for myself. Nothing and no one would stop me. I shared this plan with my friend Allaya. She loved the idea and asked to tag along. Excitement was in the air!
But the burning question looming over us was, what would we do once we were out of the house? It didn’t take long for us to blow up our chat with things to do once we flew the coop. Then we thought about it – not all moms have hours to themselves. What if they only have an hour. What could they do in 60 minutes that would make them feel good? Our list is below:
30 THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH AN HOUR OF FREE TIME
Mani/Pedi
Visit an ice cream shop
Rent a paddle boat in the park
Go for a walk/run
Get a facial/massage
Go for a drive
Walk the bridges
Take a yoga class
Get a wash and blowout
Take a class relating to a hobby
Do arts and crafts
Take a paint/wine class
Go thrift shopping
Lay with pets at the pet shop
Go to a happy hour
Get a makeover at Sephora
Get a wax
Rent a Citibike
Have sex
Take a long hot bath
Visit a girlfriend
People watching at the park
Have a picnic
Go to the library to check out free books
Go to the bookstore to buy books
Play video/board games
Go to Target alone
Watch Netflix/HULU
Take a nap
Bake yourself a cake
When the day came for our big day out we had no clue as to what we were going to do, but we had a starting point from our list. Curfews don’t exist for us but our Armitron watches would keep us from staying out too late. That’s the best thing about watches, you don’t realize you need on til you have one on. Yeah we have our phones but when you’re trying to disconnect watches are the key. Armitron has a wide variety of watches that are perfect for every type of mom time adventure. They have sporty watches for moms who are seeking active time like fitness classes or swimming, casual watches for days you want to grab a bite with friends, and diamond accented watches for very special occasions such as a date night with your partner.


I filmed our entire adventure so you can see what you can do on your own (or with a friend) with at least one hour of time to yourself.
The next day despite us being out so late we felt great! And while we didn’t do all 30 it was still mission accomplished. When I woke up the next day I felt renewed and less stressed. Little annoyances around the house from the kids and the husband didn’t bug me like they did two days before. My internal rejuvenation clock was reset and I was ready to tackle on whatever the day had in store for me.
The after feeling of doing something that is just for you is why mom time is so important. I encourage all moms to open their calendars and pick a day just for you. Go out alone or tell a friend, spend one hour or several alone the choice is yours. But the choice to not do it is non-negotiable as your happiness and health depend on it.
Oh, by the way if you need a sitter so that you can take the time I’m giving you $35 (the equivalent of an hour and a half) towards a sitter from Urbansitter. This is for first time sign ups only. See now you’ve really got no excuse. Have fun!
*To shop the watches shown in this post visit Armitron online or at your nearest department store.
I love this post so much! Such a great reminder to nurture yourself and put that oxygen mask on first –also now you have inspired me to bake a cake!
I never realized I could do all of that…with my free time I really just like to nap. Those watches are pretty cool, though!
Me time is so important and is something we often overlook as busy moms. Great tips! Love the watches too. 🙂
I totally love your personality. This was a great review (video and all). I’m not a watch person, but you definitely made me want to get one. Fashionable, pretty, and useful.
O and one more thing. Thanks for all the ideas on what to do with very little. Going to provide this link to my fellow moms.
LOVE the t-shirt – SO important that moms take time for themselves
You’re too funny. I love these suggestions, especially the Target shopping! And I could use a watch… great to know about Armitron!
These are really practical tips. Finding time for self-care and balance is important. You can’t drink from an empty cup so take time to full up.
Love your flatlays and I am huge fan of Armitron!! Such great ideas!!
Yes it’s so important to take time for yourself so then you can recharge and bless those around you! I like the list of ideas above.
Love Armitron! Remember when they made he Looney Tunes watches? Okay. Maybe I’m aging myself.
Great tips on having a me time! Agree that me time is very important. I spend reading or watching youtube videos on my me time.
I try to take full of any time I have to myself. I’ve done nearly all these things and then some. My favorite is to take a nap!
You had me at go to Target alone. Yes please 😉
Thanks for the reminder about the Apple store. I need to go there and spend some time
The other night i went to the new target in my neighborhood with my daughter. WHY?!? I was aggravated. I should have read this post beforehand.
I love your watch style. Would it be wrong of me to say that take a nap is my most favorite?
This! I truly need to utilize more me time but I always feel like “I don’t have enough time!” Great article
I so needed this list! I always need me time but always say I have no time! I can spare an hour! Thanks for the great recommendations!
I will head to a good bookstore any day! Baking yourself a cake is also a phenomenal way of self-care.
Great me time activities that don’t take too long. I love going to the salon, or just curling up with a good book for me time.
My favorite “Me Time” is pedi mani, those are also good idea.
Aww this sounds lovely 🙂
You moms need to spoil yourself some more – you guys give so much!
hahahha awesome post. will share with my mom, she definitely needs to does some of these when she has 30 minutes to spare
SO TRUE! When I do not take a little time to myself it starts to show with impatience and unnessary stress. Love these ideas.
I’m trying these
I love the looks! I’m not a big watch fan but the face watches are freaking cute!
I’m going to try to do one of these things every week! I deal with anxiety and I’ve found doing little things for myself makes a HUGE difference in my happiness level. Love this!
Oh I love these ideas! I will have to try a couple.
I value my “Me Time”! I’m always so busy with my four children and husband. If I can’t get a little time to myself, I am very cranky. LOL! I like your list of thirty things to do when you have an hour to spare. Sometimes I have a hard time going back to my daily routine of life after I have my “Me Time”. Great tips!
These are such good ideas! I need to make some Mommy time!
Oh so many fun ideas!!!! I will have to pin this so I have some back up ideas for mommy daughter fun with my little!
I love this post — especially the ideas for spending time with yourself or others. I’ve always wanted to do a wine and painting party or go thrift shopping. I do take time to get massages and so many other things on your list, but I don’t do them often enough. Like most busy adults, we could do so much better.
There’s definitely a lot that you can do in an hour and these suggestions are perfect! I love the watches and the outfits! They’re great for the season.
Good stuff, even for us single, childless ladies. ?
I am not a mom but I do understand the struggle and the need for some me time. I think these are great ways to pamper yourself!
These are really great tips! I’m not a mom yet, but I’ll have to share it with my sister, because she treasures getting a few minutes of free time!
Great activities! I need to find some time for such activities!
Holy talk about daily reminder. Most days we forget that we need just as much care as we give too
This is an excellent list! I pinned it for later. I agree, it’s so important to take time for ourselves. Everyone else benefits, too! I’ve discovered I’m a much more patient mom when I take the time to exercise.
Come hang with me in my hood and I’ll show you how it’s done in Harlem. Love the video. Burgers and liquor on me. You bring the watch!
The video is awesome! It was great seeing it told how it is? “our kids stalk up” lol so true?
OMG! I’m a mommy and this is absolutely the list I am looking for! Thanks 🙂