Rohini realised that her me-time was important when her daughter coaxed her for a haircut. It was a little daughter’s gift to her mother. A Special Feature on Mother’s Day, exclusively for Different Truths.

I was never aware of ‘me-time’ until I became a mother, maybe because all the time that I had was meant for me. But since the day I became a mother, my whole time has been for my little one. Just like any other mother, I got fully engrossed in the upbringing of my daughter. I have been blessed with a supportive family, still, I was the person available for her every sec. As she grew day by day, I became more and busier. I forgot the original me. I was known by Fifi’s mom. But I was happy and contended

A few months back my daughter saw my wedding pics, she immediately said, “Mama, is this you?”

I took the album and started to turn the pages. A smile came on my face and I replied her, “Yes honey, this is me,” The album had pics of my marriage, office days, some coffee date pics as well. She was very excited to see my old pics.

“…Earlier, you had such a beautiful haircut but now you just tie a ponytail. Come on let’s go for a haircut.”

“Mama, why have you changed? Earlier, you had such a beautiful haircut but now you just tie a ponytail. Come on let’s go for a haircut,” she started to insist.

I stood up and went in front of the mirror. Today, after five long years I was looking at myself so prominently. Was this me? Where has that chirpy girl vanished? No one could tell that this lady standing in front of the mirror was once leading a big team in a big conglomerate. What went wrong? These questions were popping up in my mind. I looked at myself in a shabby loose tee-shirt and a big bun on my head and thought, “Gosh, this can’t be me!”

I was going through the beautiful journey of motherhood but that does not mean I lose myself.

I sat to think, to think about how I can be the way I was five years back. I was going through the beautiful journey of motherhood but that does not mean I lose myself.

That day when I expressed my inner feelings to my husband, he instantly laughed and said, “I have been telling you this for a long time. I think you were waiting for our daughter to grow old enough to make you realise. You are Fifi’s mother and definitely you would be more concerned for her but that does not mean that in this journey you leave the original ‘you’. Start delegating your work to other family members just the way you did at your office. Leave Fifi for some time at home with me and enjoy your free time.”

“No, I can’t leave her at home but shall take her with me wherever possible. I know I am sounding possessive, but I want her to know the world and we both shall have some girl time together,” I replied.

I went to the parlour with my daughter, had a haircut and felt so happy when I looked myself in the mirror.

And so, my search for me-time started. I went to the parlour with my daughter, had a haircut and felt so happy when I looked myself in the mirror. Since then, I always try to take out some ‘me’ time along with her. Whether it’s going to a shop, market, shopping, or my favourite coffee shop, she is my partner always. We enjoy so much, and the best part is that I see her and understand her more when we are out together.

I realised that self-growth and grooming is an important ingredient to be happy because if a mother is happy, she can bring up a happy child. For all the moms, try to steal some, at least five minutes as your own ‘me’ time when your baby is very small. Try to make them partners in your hobbies, work, and you shall see happy parenting.

Photos from the Internet