chance to create a healthier work,
life and personal balance, says Sonia.
“Thankfully, I have the privilege of
two helpers; being a single of mum of
four in Hong Kong would probably
drive me insane without the extra
help.”
Create time to do the things you like
Make a list of all the big and small
things that make you happy outside
of the usual family and work routine,
advises Hulda. She encourages
women to also think about what they
enjoyed doing before they became
mums. “This is important as it helps
you to maintain a side of you that
you are familiar with. It reminds you
that your life has some depth and
nurtures all of what you grew up with
and liked, so that you don’t identify
yourself as ‘ just’ someone’s wife or
mother, and that there is more to life,
because there is.”
Despite Sonia’s long and hectic
days, she makes a point of enjoying
guilt-free dinner dates with friends
after putting her children to bed.
A professional dancer of 30 years,
she loves dancing in clubs with her
friends once a month.
Virginie likes a good book, a glass
of wine and dinner with girlfriends.
It is only recently however that she
has achieved her ultimate personal
balance. “Not so long ago, I sought
help to look after me – my emotions,
needs, frustrations, fears and scars
from my past. Doing this has uplifted
my spirits and reinforced my self-
confidence. Personal balance is not
just about going out for a massage,
even though I enjoy it, it’s about
feeling right on the inside.”
Your family and work are
important, but there’s no need to
become a martyr to either. You need a
balance by nurturing your own needs,
if only for a few minutes a day, you’ll
likely discover that you’re also more
positive and productive at home and
at work.
Sonia concludes, “I have to enjoy
being me, being with me, and I have
to live a life that I am proud of. When
my kids leave home, the only person I
am guaranteed to be living with until
I die is me, so I kinda have to like me!
I can’t give up all of me to take care
of these little people or my business.
I need to find time to do the things
I love and look after myself because,
ultimately, a sane, happy mummy is
what I would like to be for my little
people so that one day they will in
turn be sane, happy parents, too.”
May 2015
35
