![Moms, Take a Guilt-Free Day Off (I Did...and It Was Fabulous!)](https://cdn-0.mominthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Moms-Take-a-Guilt-Free-Day-Off-I-Did...and-It-Was-Fabulous-1024x1024.jpg)
I really need some time to rest and think of nothing.
-A Friend
A close friend texted the above message to me last week. (I wasn’t the “friend” but I was there emotionally a couple of months ago!) Many of my friends have a lot of responsibilities. Singles, Marrieds and especially Married with kids have voiced similar sentiments over the last few months. My advice to my friend – and anyone else who is feeling this way – DO IT! I recently took a day off and I highly recommend that other moms consider doing so also.
I read so many articles that said moms really wanted “a day away” for Mother’s Day 2021. (I also mentioned a hotel stay on the Mother’s May: 7 Gift Ideas for Moms Like Me post earlier this month.) The great thing about being grown and making your own money though is that you can buy your own gifts. I took on an extra little work project last month so that I could treat myself. If you would like to treat yourself to a day off, I have a few tips.
Pick a Date for Your Day Off
Even if you can’t take a day off right away, pick a date. It might take a little time to get your finances and childcare in place. That is fine but there is something great about having a special time to look forward to. Although my getaway didn’t happen until May 23rd because I wanted to be fully vaccinated, I booked my hotel on April 14th. Every time something threatened to steal my peace in the interim, I would say “May 23rd”. It was my personal “Serenity Now”!
Plan Your Day
Loosely plan out your day off. I plan a lot of things for family, friends, ministry and work. My mantra is “make it special”. That doesn’t necessarily mean spending a gazillion dollars. Rather, it’s about thinking through what will make it memorable for the recipient. We moms make things special for others. We should make things special for ourselves too!
![mom's day off sample](https://cdn-0.mominthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/moms-day-away.png)
Enjoy Your Getaway
Enjoy your stay (guilt-free)! Highlights of my getaway included the following:
*I stayed at The Benjamin hotel in Manhattan…specifically for their “Rest and Renew” program and bathtubs. Overall, it’s still a great time to book hotels before they go back to their pre-pandemic prices so reserve your hotel as soon as possible.
![Mom Getaway tips (The Benjamin Hotel)](https://cdn-0.mominthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/the-benjamin-hotel-980x1024.jpg)
*My friend Pam and I toasted my 48th birthday with a wonderful Moscato from FLO (For the Love Of), a Black-owned winery.
![Mom getaway - wine and chocolate](https://cdn-0.mominthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/flo-968x1024.jpg)
*I was in the mood for ramen so I ordered delivery from Toto Ramen. It was one of the best pork buns and Ramen bowls that I have ever tasted.
![](https://cdn-0.mominthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/totto-ramen.jpg)
*Initially, I planned on watching a couple of inspirational movies. “The Equalizer” with Queen Latifah was on though so I caught up on that instead.
*One of the highlights of the getaway was a luxurious bubble bath. One funny thing about having a blog is that friends and family sometimes read your posts for gift inspiration. As a result,I received (2) Antica Farmacista Bubble Bath in Orange Blossom Lilac & Jasmine. I’m happy though because it smells so good.
*I don’t really have a meditation practice but I tried two short ones that the hotel offered from The Path, which teaches meditation courses and classes. I liked the second, focus-themed one that was offered.
*I ended my time away with some time in the Scriptures and journaling. This past year was a lot so it was good to be reminded that:
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
![Mother's Day Journal gift](https://cdn-0.mominthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mothers-day-journal.jpg)
Credit: stormy nesbit
I hope that this post prompts some ideas for your own day off! Do whatever brings you joy. For instance, I would have normally included a massage in the mix. I’m not quite ready for strangers to touch me yet though so I skipped it this time. Whatever you choose, make it happen!
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