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.
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.
"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?"