I found myself nodding compulsively like a bobblehead doll on speed while reading this post.

I am exhausted by the end of the day when I have P'ito to myself. Too exhausted to tackle one half of the endless x y z list.

Looking forward to reading what people advise you...

I'm totally the opposite. Since I don't work I have too much time on my hands. I need to force myself to get out. I'm too wrapped up in life being too comfortable as it is. I envy your dating experiences.

For the last two years and a bit, the only "me" time I had was the time I spent in a dark room with ice on head trying very hard not to vomit from the intense pain in my head. Not quality time.

The rest of my time was, by necessity, time spent working and taking care of personal relationships and of course, plenty of xyz.

Now I'm on medical leave. I'm having to learn all over again what it means to simply BE.

I wish I had some terrific words of wisdom, but it's presently a learning curve for me too.

I have a husband and I still don't get enough 'me' time. I might even get less, since any time not spent with the kids is spent with him. Of course I love him & want to spend time with him, but you know what I mean.

What I try to do -- and this might not work for you -- is split the 30 minutes of 'me' time into 5-10 minute increments. So for example I will take five minutes to stand on my deck and let the sun bathe me and I empty my mind. Emptying my mind seems to be the key... This will usually keep me sane for a few days, until I can take a bigger chunk of time to myself.

The bus is my time. I drop A off at daycare and then hop on a bus to work. I get 20 minutes on the way to work and 20 minutes on the way home. I can read or listen to music or watch the scenery... or catch up on sleep if I need to.

And every second weekend I get a little bit of time when she's with her Dad.

Oh, and in the shower... I get up 15 minutes early just so I can stand around in the shower by myself.

The chaos of single parenting is exhausting... I hope you find some time. :)

With respect to option 3, I seem to recall someone, somewhere, suggesting that tasks will expand to fill whatever time they are alloted. I find that the "work" seems to get done faster when I know that it's eating into my "play" time.

Oh, I was without time to myself until both my kids were at least five and could handle some of their own time to themselves. Not sure what to tell you...you're prioritizing, though, that's the first step. Yeh, evil internet. love/hate the internet!

I am on a medical leave for breast cancer (recovering from surgery at the end of March) and feel guilty about how much work everybody else has to do just so I can be okay. So I feel guilty about the time I use on me, and I'm using it anyway, and leaning on two close friends to remind me to look after myself.

People who need time with other people to recharge are lucky - they just have a friend over, can multitask childcare, needs are met, no problem.

Quiet time alone in a big, busy, fast-moving city is a challenge, no doubt about it. Validating it as a need at a time when everything else seems to scream much more stridently is very difficult. Especially when you consider the demands of single parenting.

And consider the following: Are you losing more than half an hour per day of productivity because you are exhausted because you are not getting that need met? If you feel you are, then you owe it to yourself to take the half hour (from somewhere) Move it up the priority list. And recruit a friend to hold you accountable to yourself to get the time you need.

I am an introvert, and that feeling of overload makes my brain tired. I have trouble thinking beyond, "What can I do to make this go away?". I have been happier since this medical crisis started simply because of getting enough rest (I have to - no choice about it.)

I know what you mean about the introvert thing.

Do some morning prep when you clean up in the evening - I find my commune with nature in the morning makes a HUGE difference to my day.

(Thats if I am not sucked into the internet vortex)

Not a single parent here, but your list looks very familiar, right down to the paltry book pages (ah, for the time that books just disappeared in a day or two) and the voracious Internet. I've tried limiting it (on the good ol' NY resolution list year after year, sigh) but unfortunately my old habits soon slip in. That's why it's getting close to midnight in Australia as I write this, with several of the things I hoped to get done tonight not even looked at ;)

One thing I have found good as the mom to a busy 3 year old (with SN, so we have appointments and therapy stuff to do at home) is to do my exercise at lunchtime. Not only does it free up the hectic mornings and evenings but it really does reinvigorate me and helps with my focus and work in the afternoon. Maybe you could get your half hour in the evening by reducing the evening workout?

I don't think it should make you feel like a wimp. I keenly feel it if I don't get some downtime. I wince a little at times when I know I ought to sacrifice or compromise or something but...eh, I do enough.

I think it's great you are being mindful of your need.

The Internet is an easy and obvious and quick habit thing.

GL with getting the time.

It's all better if you do what makes you feel closer to the best you.

Why would you feel like a wimp? No, no. Single moms make ME feel like a wimp. Your suggestions to yourself look pretty good. I hope they work out for you!

30 minutes of time alone by yourself is a great idea.

I've recently started taking an almost nightly bath. With epsom salts. And often with a book. It's nice.