You wake up, go to work, run errands, cook dinner, take care of your family, clean the house, meet with a client, take the dog to the vet, pay the bills, mow the lawn, help the kids with their homework, go to sleep and repeat it all again the next day. When’s the last time you took time out of your day to devote to yourself, your well-being, your happiness?
When a lifeguard attempts to rescue a drowning person, the lifeguard needs to make sure he is safe first before rescuing the drowning victim. Why is that? If the lifeguard doesn’t secure himself with a life vest or lifesaver before trying to save the drowning victim, how helpful could he be? The drowning victim could potentially take down both himself and the lifeguard. The same is true with you. If you are trying to take care of your family, help out others or be productive at work and you do not secure yourself with a lifesaver first, how useful can you really be to others?
It is easy to donate all of your time to others and say yes to everything–especially if you are a giving person. But if you don’t take care of yourself first, you will start to be pulled under and all of your hard work will suffer. Reach for that lifesaver…
ME TIME!
It is absolutely critical to balance your busy life with Me Time. Me Time allows you to recharge your batteries and reset your mental state so you can function at full capacity. Don’t underestimate the power of a healthy, well-balanced mind! Everybody’s Me Time can vary from a solitary activity to a social event. But it’s important to include Me Time each DAY whether it’s taking 10 minutes in the morning to read your favorite book when you first wake up or going to that fun dance class after work. Whatever you decide, your Me Time should include doing something that takes your mind off of your stress. It should be something that brings you joy.
Making room in your busy day for Me Time can definitely be an adjustment. And just like learning any other routine, it will take discipline to achieve. Scheduling Me Time in your day can feel much like saving up money. It can be really hard to do. But when you do, aren’t you glad you did?! Treat it like a scheduled appointment with an important client; and don’t cancel it! Write it down in your calendar. That way your Me Time won’t conflict with your responsibilities. And you won’t ever be tasked with having to choose between saying no to others or to yourself. Scheduling daily Me Time can mean the difference between feeling refreshed and excited for each day or feeling drained and resentful towards each day. You’re no good to yourself or anyone else when you are ‘drowning’.
If you are wondering what kinds of things you can do for Me Time, here are some suggested activities:
- Go for an early morning or evening walk.
- Take a bubble bath.
- Read a book.
- Meditate.
- Watch a movie.
- Take a dance, exercise or art class.
- Meet a friend for lunch.
- Write in a journal.
- Join a meet-up group.
- Create something–scrapbook, jewelry, painting or a DIY shirt.
- Go swimming, hiking, boating, etc.
- Have dinner at your favorite restaurant.
- Stargaze.
- Get a pedicure.
- Take an aerial class!
Enjoy having time to yourself. Trust me, you need it! And here’s a curated playlist to help inspire your Me Time!
