As a mother, there’s nothing more fulfilling than watching my child grow and thrive. Raising a child is no easy feat, and there always seem to be challenges to overcome. And while the vast majority of my attention is given to my little one, there still needs to be time for myself. Let’s face it, if it weren’t for guilty pleasures, we’d struggle to maintain balance in life.
If you’re a mom in desperate need of a reprieve, I’ve got just the list of suggestions for you. From reality TV binge-watching to the entertaining sites reviewed on casinos.com, there are plenty of guilty pleasures that I find refuge in as a mom. What follows below is a list of my favorite seven guilty pleasures that help bring balance to my day, improve my mental well-being, and ensure that I can be the best mom possible. You may be surprised at just how much of a positive impact these can have on your life.
Binge-Watching Popular Series
Binge-watching is something I am very guilty of. I can’t help it. If I find a show I enjoy, I tend to fly through the episodes quickly. With binge-watching, you can pick series with short episodes that are perfect while making a meal, during your child’s naptime, while folding laundry, and plenty of other chores and activities around the house.
Here are some of the most series to binge-watch. Each of these has at least one season, and I’ve included both new and older content just in case:
- Black Mirror
- Bridgerton
- Grey’s Anatomy
- Black Doves
- GIrls5Eva
- Stranger Things
- The Great British Baking Show
- Friends
- No Good Deed
- Sex and the City
- And Just Like that
- Walking Dead
Bubble Bath With All the Spa Add-Ons
If you have a bathtub, you NEED to enjoy this guilty pleasure. There’s nothing more relaxing than a hot bath filled with fragrant bubbles. You can amp up your comfort level by investing in luxury bath products and a bath caddy to hold all your items. Don’t forget to also bring your favorite book into the bath with you.
Making Coffee Shop-Worthy Beverages at Home
How many times have you gone to a coffee shop and spent a small fortune on a fancy beverage? There’s no doubt that they are tasty, but they can also be pricey, and you need to leave the house to get one. I don’t always have a chance to run out to a coffee shop but that doesn’t mean I don’t crave one of these hot beverages.
I highly suggest doing a little online recipe research for espresso, latte, mochas, hot chocolates, coffee, and more. You can also mix and match flavors and add-ons to create a specialty drink. In the summer months, I usually switch over to cold caffeinated beverages like iced coffee.
If you end up enjoying homemade coffee shop beverages, it may be worth investing in some basic kitchen gadgets and items like a coffee maker, an espresso maker, an electric whisk, and a milk frother.
Dining With Friends at Your Favorite Restaurant
I can’t even begin to tell you have many meals I make yearly. Sometimes it feels like a never-ending cycle of preparing a meal, eating it, and cleaning up. It’s that whole rinse-and-repeat cycle that can wear a person down. So, here’s another guilty pleasure that I engage in: getting together with friends at my favorite restaurant. That can mean lunch or dinner, whatever works for our schedule.
This is a chance to enjoy a great meal that you didn’t have to cook and have a social outing. Frankly, there’s nothing more beneficial for my mental health than sharing some laughs with my closest friends.
Joining a Class to Learn a New Skill or Hobby
Another opportunity to indulge in a guilty pleasure is joining a class that teaches you a new skill or hobby. Look into what your town or city offers; you’re bound to find at least a few activities that catch your eye. I’ve used this as a chance to learn about new-to-me hobbies that have become quick favorites.
Hobbies are important because they provide you with an escape. They can help fight stress, anxiety, and depression. Taking a class also gives you a chance to meet other people who share your passion for that skill or hobby.
A few hobbies or skills you may want to look into pursuing include:
- Sewing
- Photography
- Scrapbooking
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Painting
- Line drawing
- Pottery
- Songwriting
- Cooking
- Blogging or journaling
Shopping for Yourself and Not Rushing
Speaking as a parent, I know exactly how often I go to the store to buy clothing and necessities for others. I also know that my wants and needs get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. The thing is, there is nothing wrong with shopping for yourself once in a while too. And you don’t have to wait for a special occasion either.
When you do shop for yourself, be sure you allow enough time. There should be no rush, as this is part of the guilty pleasure. The goal should be to browse as many stores as possible, try items on, and just make a relaxing time of it.
Listening to Podcasts or Watching YouTube Videos
Maybe binge-watching TV shows or Netflix shows isn’t your thing, and that’s okay. How about diving into the world of podcasts and YouTube instead? You may be shocked at the variety available and just how much time you can spend on these guilty pleasures. Try using a couple of keywords to perform a search, and you’ll get a massive list of potential options. Podcasts and interviews are particularly great while driving or doing chores as you can just listen to them while keeping your eyes on something else.
Embrace Guilty Pleasures Without Any Guilt!
Moms shouldn’t feel any shame about their guilty pleasures; instead, they need to embrace them. I have plenty of guilty pleasures in life, and they help me feel more balanced, relaxed, and focused when taking care of mom duties.
