“Me” Time

My day is jam-packed with work and family obligations.  How can I carve out some “me” time?” ~ No time

Dear No time,
The notion of not having “me” time is a myth. Unfortunately you will have to carve out some time to start working with this. Ha!

First, go stand in front of a mirror and look deep in your eyes. Ask yourself this: Is it true that I have no “me” time? Or is it a story my mind keeps telling me?
How do you feel when you think you have no “me” time?

Now imagine if you had this other thought instead: I have enough “me” time if I look carefully at my days. Does that feel better? More free?

Here’s one way you can figure out how to carve more time for yourself. Make 3 lists. You will need about 10 minutes for this.

• All the things you Have to do in a day.
• All the time you waste in a day.
• The top things you want to do during “me” time.

Check the first list: The things you have to do or you think you have to do.

1. See if there’s anything there that you don’t really have to do. You just have made yourself believe you have to. Bag those.
2. Is there anything on that list that you can barter? Have someone else do it in exchange for something you offer them. Barter those.
3. The rest is your real to do list. See if you can make any of them better by adding some “me” time to it. For example grocery shopping. Can you add half an hour for you to stop at the park and just do nothing but be you? 😉

Now look at the second list: How much time you waste all day, doing things that you don’t really care about. I used to waste a lot of time reading other people’s problems on Twitter, for example. Collect all these times, and use them for “you”.

And third look at the third list. What do you want the “me” time for? Use your time you saved from list 1 and 2, to fill up with things for you. Nap? Music? A walk? Lunch with a friend? Schedule them in your calendar as the important things you have to do.

Remember, you are your most important responsibility, before family, before job. If you don’t fill your tank regularly, you’ll run on empty.

Much love,

Leda