If I’ve learned anything during the past year it’s that life as an entrepreneur is literally like a roller-coaster — it’s either up or down, with very few plateaus in between. The last few weeks have been tough, for a number of reasons, and I’m feeling it. I’m exhausted, I’m cranky, I’m not very fun to be around (unless you’re my laptop, in which case you’re getting plenty of love.) And in my effort to find some more balance — ha! — between my work and my life outside of work, I decided that I needed to uses this weekend to recover a bit.

Not working is not an option, but here are a few breaks I’ve given myself and some little luxuries in which I am indulging in an effort to stop being so down and cranky, and frankly, annoying to be around:

• Instead of rushing through my shower routine in my usual 6.5 minutes (yes, I’ve timed it, and that’s the average, so you can laugh now), I forced myself to slow down by doing a mask, which was as good for my skin as for my mood.

•  When my parents took our daughter for the morning, my husband and I went to the gym and then out to breakfast (the latter fully erasing the effects of the former, but the enjoyment was worth it.)

• It’s raining and gross outside, and there is a great art exhibit we’d wanted to see at the museum, but I think we’re just going to stay in and lounge around for the rest of the afternoon. If I can avoid feeling guilty about not taking our daughter on a cultural outing, this plan will be a complete success.

• We have some leftovers and ingredients out of which I can make dinner, but we’re going to go out. I call this throwing money at work-life balance and I am happy to say that I’m not the only one who thinks working moms should allow themselves to step away from the stove.

• I’ve given up on making elaborate handmade gifts with my daughter for my mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother for Mother’s Day and we’re just going to get some frames and decorate them. (If you are feeling crafty, check out these easy craft ideas for Mother’s Day.)

I know, these aren’t groundbreaking, but that’s my favorite part about them. I feel like I’m indulging myself by letting myself off the hook from cooking or just lounging around the house, and the hoped-for-outcome is beginning to take effect. I’m not feeling like this yet

but I’m not feeling like this either.