The Importance of Me-Time for Parents

Our this Fhynix user story focuses on how Divya, prioritizes  “Me-time” as a business woman & mother.

Hello Divya! Can you tell us more about yourself?

I’m Divya, primarily from Mumbai. I studied art and design and worked as a primary school teacher in my early years. I have a 5 year old daughter Nyra. After my daughter, I decided to work on a more flexible schedule so I can balance work and life. In this process, I found a new passion –  and founded a starting up!

That’s great! Can you tell us more about your business? When did you start and what motivated you to start?

Earlier this year, I turned my love for creativity into something more. I began crafting sustainable toys for children using the age-old Japanese art of Amigurumi. It’s more than just a business; it’s my way of giving back to the community. 

I always had been a creative person and once I became a mom, I wanted to do something for children. After some research, I realized the importance of sensory-friendly toys and the positive impact they could have on a child’s development. This revelation was the driving force behind my initiative to not only craft beautiful toys but also make them accessible and beneficial for children with sensory challenges.

While I’ve been exploring this craft for some time, this year, I decided to take it a step further. I’ve also made it a point to involve and empower underprivileged women through collaborations with Samoolan, an organization in Bihar and  another organization in Punjab. We use sustainable yarn instead of plastic to be more environmentally conscious as the raw materials.

Can you describe what your typical day looks like?

My mornings start with getting my daughter ready for school. I then go for a walk or a swim, to stay active. Taking me-time early in the morning sets the tone for the day ahead. This is the time when I introspect and also plan for the day. I  take 15 mins to go through my schedule for the day and dedicate the first half of the day to household tasks, getting things done at home. Post this, I start my work. I work until my daughter is home, we spend together on her activities and tasks.

What tools were you using to manage your priorities and what are the drawbacks with this approach?

How does Fhynix help you manage all things?

Are there any classes or activities your child is pursuing?

Nyra goes swimming twice a week at school. While she doesn’t have many structured activities, she regularly attends birthday parties. I believe in not overloading her with too many activities. I prefer to keep Nyra’s schedule relatively free, allowing her to relax and have fun during her free time. This allows children to explore their interests at their own pace and enjoy the simplicity of childhood without undue pressure.

Based on your learnings as a parent, how can we make Fhynix helpful to more parents? How can we encourage parents to take out time for themselves?

This is a challenge I’ve personally faced, but through the years, I’ve come to realize the critical importance of prioritizing self-care. It’s not just about personal well-being; it significantly impacts our ability to nurture and give back to our families.

One key aspect that has immensely helped me is having visual reminders right in front of me, whether in the form of tasks or calendars. Fhynix, with its user-friendly interface, provides an excellent platform for this. The ability to see my schedule at a glance, color-coded and organized, has been a game-changer. It not only keeps my time blocked efficiently but also aids in focusing on what truly matters.

I’ve adopted the practice of blocking dedicated time for myself, whether it’s for relaxation, self-care activities, or simply doing nothing. This deliberate scheduling of ‘me-time’ has proven crucial in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Whether I’m out shopping, exploring the city, or just having a moment to stare at the ceiling, these time blocks serve as a guilt-free zone. Encouraging parents to incorporate such intentional breaks into their schedules through Fhynix could be transformative, fostering a mindset shift towards self-care.

3 tips for parents based on your experience

• Trust Your Kids: Embrace trust in your children, regardless of their age. Trust lays the foundation for strong relationships, fostering openness and mutual understanding. Believe in their capabilities, and let them know you have confidence in their decision-making.
• Open Communication and Sharing: Cultivate an environment of open communication. Initiate conversations with your child about their emotions and experiences. Discussing daily highs and lows not only builds trust but also creates a space for mutual sharing. As this practice becomes reciprocal, it strengthens the parent-child bond.
• Encourage Independence in Free Time: Teach your kids the value of spending time with themselves. Encourage them to explore their interests and figure out activities they enjoy during free time. This fosters independence, creativity, and a sense of self-discovery, laying the groundwork for lifelong learning and personal growth.

What is one recent achievement of yours that you would like to share to motivate parents?

A significant milestone in my journey has been the conscious decision to prioritize myself and put my needs first. This is a monumental achievement considering that, like many parents, I often found myself prioritizing my family’s needs over my own after marriage. Over the years, I’ve learned the power of self-prioritization.

What apps do you use and why?

• Wallet: I use this app to budget & manage my expenses. This helps me keep track of all my expenditures at one place.
• Procreate: I use procreate to sketch. It’s intuitive to use and helps me with my creativity
• Tasty: For quick recipes and to build a collection of my own recipe book, I use this app
• Fhynix: Fhynix is my one stop solution for all my time management and organization problems. 

Can you share 5 handles you follow so we can tag them

• Kiddiegram: This handle helps with everything parenting! They have videos on product reviews, DIYs & more
• Kahani tree: This is my favorite children’s bookstore in Mumbai. They have amazing book reading events for children
• PAB recipes: Deeba Rajpal, owner of PAB recipes, is an inspiration to make amazing recipes for my family. I love them
• Rohina: I follow Rohina for my creative inspiration. She’s an interior design influencer and has content on DIY Home Decor
• Hello Bpb: I love their content. They have the best recommendations on everything, from gifting to events.

Three qualities you would like to see in you child as he grows up

• Compassionate: I hope to instill in my child a deep sense of compassion for people from different walks of life. Beyond academic achievements, I believe in the importance of nurturing empathy and understanding towards individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Compassion forms the bedrock of meaningful relationships and contributes to building a kinder and more inclusive world.
• Prioritizing Life Skills over Academics, Encouraging Independence: While academic success is valuable, I place a premium on equipping my child with essential life skills. The ability to navigate real-world challenges, make informed decisions, and adapt to various situations is crucial. Fostering independence is a key aspect, empowering my child to be self-reliant and confident in facing the complexities of life beyond the academic realm.
• Being Resilient in the Face of Life’s Challenges: Life is an unpredictable journey filled with ups and downs. I aspire for my child to develop resilience, the capacity to bounce back from setbacks, and face adversity with strength and courage. Cultivating resilience involves embracing life’s challenges as opportunities for growth, learning, and personal development. I believe this quality will enable my child to navigate life’s twists and turns with grace and determination.

We asked Divya’s friends to describe Divya

• “Divya is one of the most creative and open-minded people I have met. Be it in her personal life or her crochet business, I have Divya do a great job at thinking out of the box and putting her head where her heart is.”- Krisha Sheth
• “I have known Divya for years now and she is very creative and witty. She is that friend who has a sunshine effect on her friends – someone you can trust to be level-headed and be there for you!”- Isha Bhansali