As well as writing weekly professional and domestic to-do lists I keep a third that’s all about me. Things I want or need to do for myself this week.

Why do I do this? Because if we don’t replenish, refill and take care of ourselves what chance do we stand of being able to take care of others? Like the orange Easyjet man reminded so many of us this summer, “In the event of an emergency, fit your own lifejacket and breathing apparatus before attempting to help anybody else, including any children that  may be travelling with you.”

Given I so whole-heartedly belive in list-making and putting the ‘I’ into lists, it is with a perplexed face I realise I haven’t written a ‘Jessica’ list for ages. Today I sit at my computer in a completely relaxed state for the first time in about six weeks (because there is definitely no chance of the children coming in to annoy me as Daddy has taken them to the zoo) and wonder at having time to myself to do exactly as I wish. I have read the sections of the newspaper that most tickle me, eaten my favourite sandwich entirely without interruption, bought  jeans from dress agency and prepped for some coaching workshops I’m running next week.

But like all mothers, when presented with ‘me’ time I find there’s a heck a lot of non-me that creeps in (I find myself wrapping kids birthday presents for party t’row; making home-made turkey and apricot burgers for dinner; writing son’s thank you cards and ordering school uniform I’ve forgotten) if only because it’s far more satisfying to dash through domestic stuff than do it in the slow, laborius and drawn-out way it would be if with the kids. Sloooow is good but after six weeks of summer holidays I’m really ready to crank things up, work at pace and resume writing Jessica lists.

If I had have written a me-list this week it would have included treats like this:

• Read the weekend newspaper on the weekend
• Listen to Dame Ellen MacArthur Woman’s Hour podcast
• Visit that dress agency I’ve been meaning to for the last 4 years (yes, sad but true that I’ve only just been to meet the lovely Pip who runs Shimto in St Albans)
• Read at least one chapter of Harry Potter every night this week
• Outdoor runs x3
• Speak to best friend from university
• Bikini wax
• Accept invitation to critique new menu at Jean-Christophe Novelli’s old place

What are you taking away from this post?

The resolve to write a to-do list that’s full of lovely things just for you this week

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