I used to spend my spare time doing what "had to be done" and then any time left was mine. With kids, work and house/yard chores there never seemed to be any "me time". I always thought - when things settle down/when the kids are older - I will have time for me.
Then I had a serious health scare and I decided it was time I did some things I WANTED to do, not just things I HAD to do. I now choose to sew/paint/garden before washing floors etc. instead of the other way around.
I still have to go to work, but the kids have now grown and left home which has given me a sewing room so projects can be left out which enables me to spend some time (even if only 10 minutes) in there before I leave for work in the morning. I also try to spend some time in there after work before dinner. Once it is dinner time, DH and I spend the evening together - but we both usually have some hand work to do in front of the T.V. (Hubby cross-stitches, does sashiko, knits.)