I Don’t.

Two little words to set us free.

I don’t iron. I don’t cut my children’s school-lunch sandwiches into little hearts. I don’t throw lavish birthday parties with inflatable jumping castles. But, look, I do curl up in bed to read them a book, and I do embarrass them with my public dance moves on the regular.

Writing an ‘I Don’t’ list – sharing the things that we don’t do as busy women, against the tide of productivity-maximising “To Do” lists that are always unspooling in our minds is an uplifting, sisterly act of solidarity, making each of us feel better as we realise that we are not alone in our imperfection. We’re all just doing our best.

But since I Don’t lists have taken flight around the country, there is a question I’ve been asked, more than once.

So, What Do You Do?

The subtext is: If you don’t cook healthy meals every night, and answer emails at 10pm, conjugate French verbs in between maths tutoring sessions and make your own kefir, what are you even doing?

Plenty, friends. We’re all doing plenty. And never more than we’re doing between 5pm and 7.30pm, that wild time between leaving work and the kids going to bed. The slide towards that golden time when you can clock off, sit down, and maybe squeeze in a moment to yourself.

And in the interests of sharing, I’d like to present to you the list of thingsI dodo between 5-7.30pm:

And then, I do… clock off. Sit back with a chilled G&T, set up my Skype call and assume the position for a Netflix drop.

I do love the feeling of stopping after running all day long. I do adore the sight of my kids sleeping when I tip-toe back into their room to the sounds of their rhythmic breathing. And I do embrace any chance to lie down while I’m awake.

But there are still a few ‘I Don’ts’.

These days I’ve learned a very important lesson about the ‘I Don’t’ list that I’m living by. I don’t feel bad for giving myself a break and a little ‘me’ time (sometimes served in a glass with a slice of lemon).

I don’t think that a busy parent can run on empty for ever, I don’t want to miss a moment, I don’t need a fancy night out to recharge and I don’t believe in a world without special little moments to look forward to.

I just… don’t.

We all deserve the chance to clock off and thanks to Gordon’s Gin, you could win the ultimate holiday getaway to Hamilton Island for you and three friends. To enter, sign their “clock-off” pledge here.