LJ Reyes on having her ‘me time’: “It can wait until I’m ready”

Like all mothers do, LJ Reyes had to make several adjustments as she transitioned into motherhood, both in terms of her emotional state and physical health.

And she'll be the first to admit that the challenges of being a parent get the best of her sometimes. Through Instagram on Tuesday, the actress opened up about not having enough time for herself lately, especially now that she has a toddler to take care of: Summer Ayana, her first child with actor Paolo Contis.

 

 

 

 

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Minsan pag may oras akong titigan sarili ko sa salamin napapaisip ako kung ok ba ako? Hahaha kasi minsan di na ako nakakapagsuklay. Buti nalang maiksi buhok ko! Haha Nagagawa ko lang yun pag may mga meeting or event na kelangan puntahan. Tamad na rin ako mag makeup kasi ang oras ko lang sa kotse, sa traffic! Haha sa totoo lang swerte ako kasi si @paolo_contis binibigyan ako ng time para sa sarili ko. Nakakaligo ng hindi nagmamadali, nakakakain ako ng matiwasay, nakakapagdessert pa nga ako eh! But sometimes I just feel like I’m living in a different body. Like this is not mine. Maybe a lot of you feel the same way? My old clothes don’t fit yet. I have not gone back to my old workout routine. I have no time yet to get an actual me time. May time na nakakalungkot, mapapaisip ka ng mga gusto mong gawin. But you know what? At the end of the day, I will still choose to be here. Beside my kids. I want it to be me who takes care of them. I get help in the house because I also work from home at the moment. So I guess I’m blessed that way! Alam ko marami dyan talagang walang help at all! Bilib ako sa inyo!!!! I guess all I’m saying is, I think ME time can wait until I’m ready. Until my kids are ready. Baka ako lang pala talaga ang di ready! Hahaha sa tingin nyo?😅 kakayanin ko rin lumabas ng bahay at bumalik sa pagtakbo at magworkout! Kakasya na ako ulit sa mga pantalon ko! Or kung hindi na talaga edi wag ipilit!😂😅 tanggapin ko nalang! We’ll see! Basta ang importante healthy! Diba?

A post shared by LJ Reyes (@lj_reyes) on Jun 6, 2019 at 5:17am PDT

She wrote, "Minsan pag may oras akong titigan sarili ko sa salamin napapaisip ako kung ok ba ako? Hahaha. Kasi minsan 'di na ako nakakapagsuklay. Buti nalang maiksi buhok ko! Haha. Nagagawa ko lang yun 'pag may mga meeting or event na kelangan puntahan. Tamad na rin ako mag makeup kasi ang oras ko lang sa kotse, sa traffic! Haha. Sa totoo lang swerte ako kasi si [Paolo], binibigyan ako ng time para sa sarili ko. Nakakaligo ng hindi nagmamadali, nakakakain ako ng matiwasay, nakakapag-dessert pa nga ako eh!"

But as grateful as she is for the support of her partner, there are times when LJ feels down for not being able to do things for herself, like getting back to her old lifestyle or simply having a 'me time'.

"But sometimes I just feel like I’m living in a different body. Like this is not mine. Maybe a lot of you feel the same way? My old clothes don’t fit yet. I have not gone back to my old workout routine. I have no time yet to get an actual me time. May time na nakakalungkot, mapapaisip ka ng mga gusto mong gawin," she said.

But then, if missing out on certain things would make her the best mother for Aki (her son with former boyfriend Paulo Avelino) and Summer, then "me time" for sure can wait. 

 

 

 

 

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Today as we celebrate all the mothers in the world, let me emphasize the importance of their (our) role as homemakers. The smallest form of a society is family. It is where we begin to interact as human beings. It is where we learn our values and first receive and give love. And I think today is the day we salute all kinds of homemakers: Stay at home moms Single moms Career moms OFW moms Part time worker moms Soon to be moms Rainbow moms And so on.. all types of moms.. You know what’s amazing? In spite of all the roles they (we) need to play as women (daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, employee, entrepreneur, etc), we are able to build a HOME for our family! We are able to raise human beings with the LOVE they truly deserve. In whatever way. Your way. The best way for our kids, for our family. Now, imagine a world where all the amazing superhuman being we all call mom (mama, mommy, nanay, inay) come together and celebrate each other. What kind of world would that be! How beautiful! So let me celebrate today with this photo of myself with my kids, as real as it gets, to honor the imperfections but resilience of a mother. Brushed teeth ❌ Brushed hair ❌ In sleepwear ❌ (dozed off even before I could wash up) Breakfast ready ❌ Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there!!!❤️ You deserve all the love (and special treatment😜) today!

A post shared by LJ Reyes (@lj_reyes) on May 12, 2019 at 4:03am PDT

"But you know what? At the end of the day, I will still choose to be here. Beside my kids. I want it to be me who takes care of them. I get help in the house because I also work from home at the moment. So I guess I’m blessed that way!," she said. 

"Alam ko marami dyan talagang walang help at all! Bilib ako sa inyo!," she continued. "I guess all I’m saying is, I think ME time can wait until I’m ready. Until my kids are ready. Baka ako lang pala talaga ang 'di ready! Hahaha. Sa tingin nyo? Kakayanin ko rin lumabas ng bahay at bumalik sa pagtakbo at magworkout! Kakasya na ako ulit sa mga pantalon ko! Or kung hindi na talaga eh 'di wag ipilit! Tanggapin ko nalang! We’ll see! Basta ang importante healthy! 'Diba?"