Why Every Mom Needs Me Time at Massage Envy

Disclosure: Diary of a First Time Mom received some form of compensation to share this fabulous spa experience at          Massage Envy.  However, all opinions are my own.

Dear Diary,

When I first became a working mother, I almost fell asleep in a morning meeting. I could see my head getting ready to crash onto the conference table. I jerked back and silently said wake up, wake up! Three years later, I’m still sleepy. My friend laughed and told me that moms are exhausted, and we need to take a nap to be considered sleepy. Why is that? We wear ourselves out, always putting others needs in front of our own. Just last week, I took on my friend’s project–OK, so what I love this man–and worked to perfectly polish the final product even if that meant not going to bed before one a.m. every day. The week before, I took my daughter to the park and chased her around the reservoir to make her laugh. Then, I cooked dinner, did dishes and washed clothes. This went on and on–favors here; projects there. In between, I skipped–well never even made–hair and nail appointments.

With the weather warming and holiday approaching, I gave myself a bootleg makeover in my bathroom before the weekend ends. This why I called my mom friend and blogging buddy Cindy. I recently went to her vision board party–started a board but never completed my personal project. I stared at the empty spaces and thought it was time to take charge of my future by picking up the phone and scheduling a massage and facial at Massage Envy. At first, I thought, this won’t be a “real” spa experience. I mean, it’s a membership service. I doubted it as relaxing as my pre-pregnancy pampering outings at pricy posh establishments. But it fit the budget–I received an opportunity to review the services through my blog. I was blown away when I walked inside. It looked like some of the spas I’ve frequently in the past.  But something felt different–the prices posted didn’t make me do a double take. Cindy and I changed into warm, fluffy white robes, quenched our thirst and read magazines in a lounge area. The closest I came to reading a magazine in months was when I cut out pictures for the above mentioned vision board.

I indulged in anti-aging facial. I embraced nearing forty and took control over the aging (gracefully) experience. I rarely get facials,since I never suffered from acne, blackheads or other conditions. But at the low rate, I can actually afford to add this into my beauty budget. Memberships start as low as $59 a month and include a customized massage every month or a Murad® Healthy Skin facial for $10 more. Additional massages and facials are at low membership rates, and the best part–unused massages rollover. You can even earn free massages and upgrades or gift a treatment to a friend.

Then, I headed down the hall for a Swedish massage and a signature service. The massage relaxed my overworked body and brain, and the sugar foot scrub hydrated my feet still reeling from the wintry weather.It was so enjoyable for Cindy–she feel asleep!

In the end I felt refreshed and relaxed. We felt so comfortable in our skin, we even snapped I Wake Up Like This photos. Beyoncé better watch out!  Before baby, I would NOT have shared this photo. In my twenties, I wasn’t as secure as I am now. I wouldn’t have smiled with lipstick on my teeth like this picture shows. I would have grabbed a compact mirror. I would have make sure the white fleck of the facial mask wasn’t on my nose. And I definitely would have covered up the dark circles under my eye and imprint of my glasses. Now, don’t even get me started on the surgery scar on my neck!  I would have loved my look, but embrace it like I do my daughter? Nah. I don’t think so. You know what else I will embrace? More mom me time!

If you want to do the same, check out my Facebook page and enter a contest to win a massage and facial.  The rules are simple!  Just upload a makeup free photo and tell me why you are comfortable with being you and want to celebrate your confidence with some me time at Massage Envy.