Hellobee Boards

I've really struggled with this too, I stated to find my groove and then got pregnant and sick...

What was working for me-
Sitter once a week for a couple of hours so I could go to yoga and run a few errands.
I joined a moms club and made a point to either going on the moms night out event or going out with friends once or twice a month.
Always having something on the calendar to look forward to, sometimes this involved an activity with my daughter and sometimes not.
Started reframing some days as mommy daughter days- it's amazing how much this helps!
I enjoy scrapbooking so I set up a spot near where my daughter plays and I try to sit and putter when she's playing. I did have to put together her own little set of stuff though because she frequently joins me.
I also started to get more involved with the community after the election, just reaching out and seeing the possibilities to help with things I care about was energizing- I'm currently a bit of a hermit but I am following along online and I'm excited to get back to this once I feel human again!
Basically just remembering to make time for me through the week and month really helped. I really had to be intentional about it, no one was going to say "hey, you've had a crazy few days, go to yoga!" As much as I love my husband it would literally never occur to him! I needed to say "I'm doing X, di you want toddler duty or should I get a sitter?"

I agree with @Cole: have something to look forward to. I try to work this on two fronts- one is activities out of the house, be they baby classes or just things you want to do. For example I try to go to the city once a week and go to a museum or something I want to do. It might not be leisurely and yes it might be a full day of kid logistics for 15 minutes of the main event but I'm always glad I went. The second front is projects going on a home, or something I can look forward to during nap time other than chores, even if it's just reading a book.

- weekly date nights with DH
- listening to non-parenting podcasts
- forcing myself to go to MNO once a month
- planning vacations (whole family or not) to have something to look forward to
- getting together more with childless friends/couples that we know

you'll see that most of mine are things without my kids! i don't know if it really makes my SAHM life more exciting, but it makes me feel like i still exist as something other than a mom.

as far as things WITH kids, having a planned activity 1-2x a week and doing something "special" on those days when we are feeling like we're in a rut (e.g., donuts for lunch! special trip to the bookstore! pajama, popcorn, & a movie day!) work well for me just to break things up.

That's a tough one, I mean, what's your definition of exciting? For me, it means having things to do that are a mix of outside the home and at home. I love summer, and during that time, since we have a pool, I like to invite people over to use it. This way, it doesn't become a costly event.

Otherwise, stuff that is fun, costs money and I don't know about you, but I feel guilty if I overspend.

In theory, going places really helps. In practice, my toddler hates going outside (he's used to staying in all day, this is how day care works around here ) It's easier to get him out if it's a routine trip. So maybe make one or two days out a week past of your routine...

I decided to get pregnant and have a second LO!

And I focus on my hobbies. I'm lucky in that my hobbies fold really nicely into motherhood (knitting, crochet, cooking, sewing), and I'm not a very social person.

I also tend to try and plan big things like birthdays and events in advance. I'm all about saving money and putting more hours into something to make it cheaper so this is a big one for me. I shop around for deals on stuff and find projects to keep me occupied. I also love to learn new skills within my hobbies so I find that really rewarding/ exciting. Things like cooking a perfect stovetop steak, or perfecting a pan sauce, or learning stranded colorwork in knitting, or learning to alter men's clothes are all things that keep me really engaged and excited to try to master.

But again, I'm lucky that my hobbies fold well into motherhood! I know plenty of people whose hobbies are less kid friendly (skiiing, fashion, horseback riding, etc.).

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: @Cherrybee: I feel like this too. I am at the point where I can't even think of what to do when I get a free moment to myself because the few hobbies I used to have are just totally off my radar. My husband always utilizes every minute out in the garage with his junk or whatever, and all I can ever think is to clean or organize something. And often times don't even do that, just zone out on My phone or in a better case scenario, read a book. My kid started a preschool program and I will have one afternoon to myself per week! Excited but if it comes time to pick him up and all I did was tidy the house (it doesn't even look nice) I'll be sad.

Online shopping

Seriously though - lo is in preschool three mornings a week now so obviously that helps me get some private time. Before that we signed up for tons of art and music classes and hiking groups. I try to do stuff we both like at least some of the time (which gets harder as they get older and literally say no, I'm not doing that lol or have their heart set on an activity that isn't your favorite). We like to hike, we love the library. I love that she's old enough for kids only story time because I'll go pick out my own books and sit quietly by myself for 45 minutes. We love going to Starbucks for a drink and snack and people watching or out to try out a new juice bar or bakery and things like that. We also both like baking and cooking so we'll pick out a recipe together then go get the ingredients, then make it.

@junebugsmama: same here. DH works out in the garage and his solo exercise time really recharges his batteries.

I am noticing a trend in some of the replies- making the most of the little things. I used to listen to Audiobooks and that's easy enough to pick up. Cooking is more fun when I pretend to have an audience. Today, I bought a legit set of prep bowls from Amazon to get my Top Chef on for real. LOL