We’re tired, we’re stressed, we’re overcommitted, and we’re trying to get it all done. Ask any mom, and this might be what you hear on any given day. Our lives become beholden to our inexorable and often unattainable quest to best the best mom, spouse, co-worker, and homemaker we can be. And it sometimes comes at the cost of caring for ourselves and nurturing the non-mom, non-spouse parts of us that yearn for attention but are not spoken of out loud frequently enough.
Sure, a date night with your partner can be a needed respite from the mundane aspects of motherhood, and who doesn’t need a good old fashioned girls night out with our mama besties.
But as I’ve gotten older I have become more protective of my alone time than ever before. I’m an extrovert, but I am often desperate for quiet time alone so I can process my thoughts and feelings without constant outside influence and distraction.
Do you feel the same way? Then check out my ideas for your own date night (or day) — things you can do to nurture all those beautiful sides of you that make up who you are, what you are passionate about, and what lights you up or gives you comfort, calm, adventure, or pleasure. I realize it may not be easy to plan a day (or evening) like this. Yes, it might take the help of a supportive family member, friend, babysitter, or all of the above. Make no mistake. I LOVE being a mom, and like you, a big part of my identity is wrapped up in that very important role, which I take seriously and approach with presence and love.
But, in my opinion, it’s worth it to get reacquainted with all the multifaceted aspects of what makes you who you are fully, not just with the identity of mother. When I take that important time to myself, I come back to my role with more vigor, mindfulness, happiness, and fulfillment.
I deserve to take myself out on a date once in a while, and so do you! Here are 20 creative date ideas to maximize your fun or relaxation, depending on your goals.
For the adventurer:
For the crunchy mama:
Open Doors Learning and Healing Center
For the homebody:
Try a solo staycation! Here’s the idea with this one. You get your house to yourself, for several hours or even overnight, while you send your partner and kids off to a hotel or your in-laws. Yes, it takes planning and support, but it’s oh so worth it to do once a year. Just picture what your day will look like: Netflix, take-out, putter around the house without any distractions, wear yoga pants or PJs all day, go to bed early, experience bliss.
For the exhausted, stressed-to-the-max mama:
She Breathes Balance and Wellness Studio
For the foodie mama:
A workshop at Boston Public Market
The Schlesinger Library at Harvard
For the mama who lives for experiences:
A Boston Harbor Cruise or water taxi
For the nature buff mama:
Hiking around the Middlesex Fells
For the intellectually or culturally starved mama:
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
For the movie buff:
For the off-the-beaten-path craver:
Mary Baker Eddy Library Mapparium
For the music aficionado:
Have you ever taken yourself out on a date? Would you consider it? How do you spend some quality alone time?
