Where are you on Priority List?
Ways To Put Yourself On Your Priority List This Christmas
How often have you found yourself thinking or saying the following?
“I wish I had more time for myself.”
“I’m so busy, sometimes I feel like I’m going in circles and not accomplishing anything.
“I need more hours in the day.”
“I don’t have time for that.”
We lead crazy, busy lives. And the one thing we never seem to have time for is ourselves.
Creating more personal time tops the list of goals many people want to accomplish. With work time, partner or family time and social time all demanding our time, we are constantly juggling our day-to-day responsibilities. Finding as little as 15-30 minutes a day of uninterrupted, relaxing “me” time is challenging at best.
But we all instinctively know that when we take time for ourselves to pursue our passions, do the things that we enjoy, relax or even do nothing at all, we end up happier, healthier and feeling better. “Me” time allows us to de-stress, unwind and rejuvenate. Taking time for yourself allows you to renew, heal, and create reserves of renewal, peace and calm.
When I ask my clients why they don’t plan more “me” time in their schedules, three common themes arise: not enough time, guilt, or it feels selfish. The more giving and caring a person you are, the more these feelings seem to emerge.
Remember that no matter what we do, there are only 24 hours in a day, so you can’t create more time. But you can clear some time by re-examining priorities, perhaps saying “no” more often.
“Me” time is not something you should feel guilty about. It’s nothing more than taking some time to put aside your everyday business and treating yourself to an activity that you enjoy. It gives you an opportunity to relax, refocus and recharge. And when you do that, you can come back to your responsibilities with greater centeredness, commitment and enjoyment.
It is very common to become so involved in giving to others that we need to give to ourselves. And although this is more often a trait in women, there are plenty of men out there who feel this way too. Many are so caught up in earning a living to take care of their families, that breaking away from responsibilities to indulge in hobbies, reading or hanging out with the guys makes them feel selfish.
If everyone else around you is worthy of care and attention, then so are you. You not only deserve this time, but you need it for your own well-being. Lack of time for ourselves often leads to feeling frustrated, tired, overwhelmed and out of balance. Without this time for ourselves, we lose sight of what’s important to us.
Let’s look at some ways you can make “me” time a reality:
First, decide that you deserve some time to yourself each day. Stop feeling guilty for taking time out for you, and realize in the long run, it’s a win-win for everyone. . Remember, self-time is not selfish—it’s a necessary dimension of self-care!
Decide how best to spend “me” time. How each of us chooses to spend free time is as individualized as we all are. If you had an extra 15 minutes, a half hour, an afternoon or an entire day, what would you do to make yourself feel rejuvenated, relaxed and happy? Write a list and keep it handy when you begin scheduling time into your calendar.
Evaluate the things that are wasting your time each day. Do you check your emails constantly and end up spending more time on your computer than you planned? Do you answer personal calls in the middle of your workday? Go to the supermarket daily to pick up dinner rather than plan in advance and shop once? If this sounds like you, you must take the time to organize your responsibilities, and you will gain more free time than you can imagine.
Learn to say “no” to requests to do things that you don’t really want to, or don’t bring you satisfaction and joy.
Ask for help with chores that don’t necessarily have to be completed by you alone.
At the beginning of each week, take a few minutes to designate specific time slots for all that must be accomplished—including “me” time. Treat your personal time like you would any other appointment and make it non-negotiable.
Commit to a minimum of 15-20 minutes of “me” time every day. Do something (or nothing) that completely lets go of responsibilities and releases your mind, allowing you to be alone with your thoughts.
Create a daily ritual. This can be a bath, listening to music, taking a walk or meditating. Make it something you can look forward to, like looking forward to this time, and a coffee pot on a timer, gets you out of bed with a smile on my face.
Stop wishing you had more time to yourself, and commit to carving it into your schedule. Rather than bemoan your lack of time, change your approach and create the time using the tips above. You will be amazed at how a little bit of time to yourself can make a huge difference in your health and happiness!
Sources:
Richardson, Cheryl. 1999. Take Time for Your Life: A Personal Coach’s 7-Step Program for Creating the Life You Want, NY, Broadway Books.
As Your Light Up Your Xmas Tree This Year Use it as a Reminder to Light Up Someone’s Life
As the Christmas season is upon us, and added pressures and demands for many people financial, emotionally, mentally, physically, sometimes by just a small reminder of how things look differently by one small gesture. You know when you have put your tree up, decorated it and turn the lights on and sit or stand there in awe and wonder, amazing what lights do. That is exactly what happens when you light someone’s life up by one small gesture, especially at Christmas time. A smile, a kind word, a gift from the heart like shoveling a sidewalk for an elderly person or a sincere thank you, they are all priceless just like the T.V. credit card advertisements says!!
Let not a day go bye without being nice to someone,
Smile at a stranger and watch their face light up,
you never know just how lonely they might be or how good
or bad their day might have been. Pay an unexpected compliment
to a friend and thank them for being there.
Write a note of appreciation to your spouse or child and watch them light up inside.
Just wait and see what it does to them, they’ll be happy to know.
Reach out your arms and hug someone in need, it may not mend all their
sorrows but it might help for tomorrow.
So with each passing day,
Light up someone’s life.
For these little gestures can help with some daily strife’s,
There may be a time, when you are down and out and just to see a smile
or some reassurance on your way through life, would surely help with daily strife’s,
So put a little light in YOUR life, and light up someone’s life today.
Take Time
Take time to think – It is the source of all power
Take time to read – It is the foundation of all wisdom
Take time to play-It is the source of perpetual youth
Take time to be quiet-It is the opportunity to seek Your Higher Source
Take time to be aware-It is the opportunity to help others
Take time to love and be loved-It is your greatest gift
Take time to laugh-It is the music of the soul
Take time to be friendly-It is the road to happiness
Take time to dream-It is what the future is made of
Take time to pray-It is the greatest power on earth
Take time to give-It is too short a day to be selfish
Take time to work-It is the price of success
Author Unknown
Daily Joy Corner
There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or to be the mirror that reflects it. – Edith Wharton –
It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness. – Adlai Stevenson –
I would say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. – Joseph Campbell –
TIME FOR SELF NEWSLETTER contributed by:
Heather Young, owner of Time for Self
Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) / Yuen Method™/ Holistic Practitioner
Certified Personal Transformation Coach / Alternative and Energetic Medicines
403-358-2362 — Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
