Five Tips To Make More “Me” Time

Does it ever feel like you never have enough time for your needs or desires?

I used to feel that way. I was feeling drained, overwhelmed and overworked. For a long time I used the excuse of time to not do the things I wanted to do or to not do the things I knew were good for me. Well, let me tell you, we can always make time for some of the things we want to do. And it feel great once you get started. What’s really holding us back is resistance to change, so we give every excuse to not take a step towards our desires. Time being one of them. Sometimes, we legitimately do not have the time, but in general we can make the time. I’m a stay at home mom who cares for the household duties, the toddler(plus another one due any day now) and their activities, the husband, the family, friends and some administrative work for our pool business. So I know all too well how busy we can all get nowadays.

I also used the excuse that I didn’t want to disappoint my son, husband, or family by taking the time I needed. But that’s a whole another topic…

Here are 5 Tips I used to make more “Me” time:

1. Spend less time on Social Media – Have you taken a minute to see how much time you are really spending mindlessly browsing though Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc?  The time really adds up. I bet you are spending far more time than you realize. You could use some of that time to meditate, or draw, or get that To Do done. I love spending less time on social media now. When I get the urge to open up that app, I ask myself, what are you really trying to get away from? could you be spending that time more efficiently? I can usually get the urge to go away and get something else more pressing done or enjoyable done. And can I ask, will you please stop checking your phone first thing in the morning? You’ll be surprised to see how time seems to expand when you stop that habit.
2. Wake up 15 mins earlier – I dreaded the thought of having to wake up earlier. I didn’t really want to face the day with all the to do’s that would come rushing into my head and all the things I didn’t want to do. Now I really look forward to waking up before my family. I look forward to it because I get to start my day with doing what I love. I started out with 15 minutes earlier. I used those 15 minutes to listen to my favorite hypnosis recording. I now notice that I’m waking up to an hour before I have to get “working” and I LOVE it.
3. Set a timer – You can use your phone timer, stove or microwave timer, or an old school kitchen timer. Any timer will work. Choose a set time, say, 15 mins. Tell yourself, ” I’m going to set this timer for 15 minutes and do as I please.” If you do something with that time, great. If not, you are training yourself to take the time.
4. Decide that you want this time – You can’t take “me” time if you don’t decide that’s something important enough for you. You can say you wish this or that, but until you say, “That’s it. I have to make time,” then you will never make the time.
5. Simplify – If you have a million and one things in your plate, what can you say no to? What can you remove from your list? Can you make simpler dinners?

Before you actually start taking this “me” time you may want to do some analyzing and noticing of your life. You may want to take note of all the mindless things you do and/or say yes to. Or you may not. You may already know exactly what you need to cut back on. Whatever it is, I hope that these tips help you fit in some time to do what rejuvenates or  lights you up the most.

With Love,

Kristine