You all know the saying, “There are just not enough hours in the day.” Don’t even get me started on how there aren’t enough days in the week. We spend Monday through Friday eagerly awaiting the weekend, only for Sunday to morph back into another manic Monday. Well, what if we could actually get an entire extra day? Have you ever stopped to think about what you would do with that time?
Almost every four years, to keep our Gregorian calendar in alignment with Earth’s orbit around the sun, we have a Leap Year! Each Leap Year has 366 days instead of the usual 365. That extra day is called leap day. In case you are wondering why this is important, I am happy to break it down into terms that matter to us mamas.
If we did not add a leap day to the calendar, we would lose almost six hours every year. So, in honor of having some extra time on our hands, I figured I would share some suggestions for what to do with it!
Self-Care
Take some time to take care of yourself. Yes, I know that being a mother means you do not get to clock in and out. You are on duty 24/7. Guess what I also know? You also have a responsibility to take care of yourself! So this leap day, make time for pampering. Get a manicure and a pedicure; you can even get really crazy with it, and treat yourself to both! Whatever needs some TLC, please give it to yourself.
Reconnect
As the days fly by, we are left with a long list of should-haves, could-haves, and would-haves. So maybe you can use this time to reconnect with someone you have meant to reach out to. Take a few minutes to actually make that phone call to check in on a loved one who has been on your mind. Or maybe you can text that friend you keep having conversations with in your head. Let someone know that you have been thinking of them. Who knows, it may even result in an actual opportunity to meet up and spend some time together.
Plan
One thing I wish I had a few more moments for is getting organized and mapping out some ideas. This can be as simple as prepping your meals for the week, making a to-do list, or planning dinner for the family in advance. Or, you can take it a step further. Take some time to plan a ladies’ night, a road trip, or a ladies’ family vacation.
Rest
One of the chief complaints of parenthood is the lack of days off. That is true because there is always “work” to be done. Whether it’s your husband, children, friends, or employer, it seems that someone still needs something from you. Take this time to do nothing! Get some well-deserved, truly required rest. Try your best to relax, because, as we all know, this extra day will likely fly by like all the days before it.
