It can be tough to find time for yourself when you have a family, especially if your kids are still quite young. Our social lives tend to go on the backburner as we act as chauffeur, cheerleader, and cook, for our kids! If you’re struggling to find some well-earnt ‘me time’ take a look at my guide to fitting a varied social life around your busy family.
What are the Benefits of Socializing?
As frivolous as it can seem, socializing has some huge benefits. Interacting with others not only increases our social skills, it also de-stresses us. Having fun and relaxing can help to put our problems into perspective, and chatting about them gives us the chance to unload and ask for help. Having a community were involved in also helps us to feel a part of something, outside of our families. Feeling like were needed and wanted is important. It’s also important to be encouraged and inspired by those around us, rather than shutting ourselves off.
Community
Getting involved in the community is a great way to socialize. Take a look at what your community has on offer and you’ll be surprised. From walks to volunteer clean-up projects, there are loads of ways to meet new people, socialize, and be productive. Faith groups are another good way to meet like-minded people in the community. Websites like www.CenacleSisters.org highlight the importance of community togetherness and prayer.
Be the Party!
Instead of waiting for an opportunity to socialize to come along, create one yourself. If you have a family and want to fit in socializing around chores, hosting is a great idea. Invite some people over for a lunch buffet or a more formal sit-down meal. You can even just invite friends over for a drink in the garden. This is a fuss-free way of making sure you see your friends and have time for your family. Plus the invite is likely to be repaid, and you won’t have to cook next time!
Sharing and Learning
Socializing gives us the chance to share our experiences from other and listen to theirs. This is so important for developing a strong sense of empathy. It’s also a good way to learn and expand our knowledge. Learning from a group of people, or just one friend can help us to feel that we have a mentor and confidante.
Set Aside Time
Sometimes we can view socializing as a privilege we don’t have time for, are can’t be bothered to indulge in. Set aside a time each week, for as little as an hour, to spend socializing. This can be as small as going for a walk with a friend or going out for a fancy dinner. Just make sure you routinely stick to this.
The post How to: Leading a Varied Social Life When you Have a Family appeared first on MommaDJane.