17 Unproductive Ways I Spent My Time Before Becoming a Parent

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What on earth did I do with my free time before kids came along? It’s a question I often ponder as I lay in bed, replaying my day and the endless to-do list that remains woefully unfinished. It seems like “free time” is a distant memory, a foreign concept I can barely grasp anymore. What does that even mean? Is it Swedish?

Even on those rare occasions when both of my little whirlwinds are napping, my time is consumed by chores—dishes, laundry, or a long-overdue shower. Whether it’s the remnants of last night’s meal, my partner’s dirty socks, or my own unkempt appearance, there’s always something begging for attention.

Ah, the memories of my pre-parenthood days! They almost feel like a joke now. I remember more than once, during my husband’s business trips, lounging on the couch with a glass of wine, watching dust particles float by while my mind wandered. Those were the days… or so I thought.

Here’s a lighthearted look at how I filled my hours before stepping into the world of motherhood:

1. Nail Painting: I could easily spend an hour letting my nails dry. Now? I can barely sit still to use the restroom, let alone watch nail polish dry.
2. Hair Styling: My once beloved round brush is now a toy for my toddler to use on the carpet.
3. Self-Tanning: I’d strut around in my underwear, avoiding contact with anything until my tan was perfect. Today, if I attempted that, my children would probably end up looking like they had a paint mishap.
4. Trimming Split Ends: I used to meticulously snip away at each one. Now, my hair is more likely to be yanked out during playtime than treated with care.
5. Hand-Washing Delicates: I used to do this but now I’ve got enough laundry with kids and fancy dishware to wash. Delicates? Not in this house!
6. Alphabetizing Everything: Books, DVDs—you name it. Funny how kids can quickly cure any tendency toward OCD.
7. Ironing Baby Clothes: I meticulously ironed my first child’s outfits for photo ops. I honestly thought that would be a regular habit!
8. Ironing Anything: Now, wrinkled clothes are a norm. If it’s really necessary, I’ll just hit up the dry cleaner.
9. Hanger Swaps: I swapped all our wire hangers for wooden ones just because they looked nice. Two whole days spent on that! Now, I think, “Who cares about hangers? Laundry baskets work just fine.”
10. Cooking Lengthy Meals: Back then, I’d spend hours on gourmet dinners. Now, the microwave is my best friend when it comes to meal prep.
11. Listening to Music While Applying Makeup: Nowadays, I’m serenaded by my toddler belting out the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme as I rush through my morning routine.
12. Fancy Face Treatments: My skincare routine is now just cleanser and moisturizer. Quick and easy!
13. Morning Meditation and Stretching: These days, my stretching consists of reaching for a coffee mug in the back of the cabinet while my patience is tested by mid-morning chaos.
14. Sleeping In: The luxury of sleeping in is a long-lost dream. What was I even thinking back then?
15. Going to the Movies for Fun: Now, a movie night is meticulously planned weeks in advance. We’re going to see the latest blockbuster, so everyone must stay healthy!
16. Organizing Grocery Lists: I used to sort my grocery lists by aisle. Now? It’s a chaotic mess, and I end up circling the store multiple times.
17. Recording My Dog: I used to capture every adorable moment of my pup, blissfully unaware that I’d soon be filming my kids instead. Nothing melts my heart more than watching videos of my little ones giggling.

While I may have traded in those frivolous activities for nap time and playdates, I’ve gained immeasurable joy in motherhood. Just yesterday, I spent an hour doing puzzles with my kids, hearing my son crack up with his funny phrases and witnessing my daughter take her first steps. These precious moments, once overlooked, are now the highlights of my life.

So, perhaps I don’t miss those 17 activities after all. I never really liked face masks anyway.

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Summary:

Before motherhood, I filled my time with activities that now seem trivial. From painting my nails to ironing baby clothes, my days were filled with unproductive habits. Now, I cherish the moments spent with my children, realizing that the joy of parenting far outweighs those once-important pastimes.