I Refuse to Feel Guilty For Doing This One Thing For Myself Every Day

Sometimes, I hardly recognize my life pre-kids. I used to wear makeup and heels every day. Now, after four children, you're not going to see eyeliner on this face unless I'm attending a wedding! I used to read new books regularly, and I loved trying new recipes. Now, I can't remember the last time I did either. Although almost everything about my life is different today, there is one thing I will never give up, no matter how many kiddos are underfoot: I still exercise every. single. day. No matter what is happening with my family, I find time to roll out my yoga mat or head outside for a walk — rain, shine, strep throat, or temper tantrum.

I used to have time for an hour-long yoga class, or an eight-mile run. Now, we're talking about 10 minutes tops for a quick YouTube yoga sesh, or a walk around the neighborhood with my baby in a stroller and one or two kids on Razor scooters behind me. But this is how I fit exercise into my crazy-busy life. You might find me lunging around the changing table. Or, practicing tree pose while I heat up chicken nuggets. I take a long walk to get a cup of coffee some weekend mornings. Or I'll power walk around the pool complex at my daughter's swim meet. I don't care what it is, as long as I find time to get in some movement.

Of course, I'd love to have more time for me. But my husband works long hours, we don't have family who live close, and I haven't yet found a babysitter who is available on a regular basis. So instead of setting myself up for disappointment when I can't make a class at my nearby yoga studio or I fail to meet my goal of walking four miles on a given day, I choose to make the best of what time I have. My reality as a mom of four means I may only get 10 minutes that day when my baby is napping and my other kids aren't asking for homework help or begging for a ride to a friend's house. So I use that short window to do the one thing that makes me feel like the old me.

During those 10 minutes, I try and block everything else out. One kid may have a fever, but I can check her temperature again after a few sun salutations. Another might be asking for a snack. She won't starve if she waits, just this one time. I refuse to feel guilty for putting myself first for just a few minutes each day. All the other minutes are 100 percent devoted to motherhood. So in order to guard against resentment, frustration, and a potential nervous breakdown, I exercise. I may not have many occasions to rock 4-inch heels any longer. I may not have enough time to shop for and cook a Thai dish I saw online. I may never wear lipstick again! But I can stretch it out on a yoga mat.

At the end of the day, I still want to feel good about myself outside of the satisfaction I get from being a mom. I need that 10 or 20 minutes to move my body and remember that I'm a person, not just a mom. And I know I'm a better mom for claiming that time for myself. It's not always easy! I've literally had my son hanging off of my ankle while I do a downward dog. But I tell them that Mommy needs this. Because then, later, when I don't have time to shower, or even eat a meal that doesn't consist of kid leftovers, I can rest assured I got some "me" time. And that more is on the way tomorrow.