Don’t Make “Me Time” a Big Production

“Me Time,” AKA “self-care” doesn’t have to be expensive or take a long time.

In fact, I believe “Me Time” works a lot like exercise, in that it’s cumulative – it’s not so much about what you do once in awhile, but rather what you do over time that counts in the long run.

In other words, working out once a week for 60 minutes isn’t as effective as exercising 6 days a week for 10 minutes – same amount of time, but one is a more regular practice.

In this way, “Me Time,” like exercise, becomes not just something that you do, but who you are.

You are a person who exercises regularly.

You are a person who practices “Me Time.”

Accordingly, I shared with my community that Me Time isn’t something you have to wait until the weekend to have; instead, I think it’s best to try to infuse our daily lives with just a little Me Time every day.

I shared with them this story to consider about a client I used to have when I was a personal trainer long ago.

Here’s what she did.

This client’s adult daughter and grandson moved in with her and her husband.

Literally overnight, two people in the house quickly turned into four.

For my client, the mornings before her daughter moved in were peaceful and quiet, but once her daughter and grandson moved in, the morning vibe changed dramatically.

Her daughter, a single mom, ran around the house frantically each morning trying to not only get herself ready for work, but also get her young son ready for school, feed both of them breakfast, pack their lunches, and get themselves out of the house in time.

This busy and anxious type of activity wasn’t beneficial for my newly-retired client who, for years, was looking forward to simple and peaceful mornings, so she made a decision.

She quickly realized that she needed just a little bit of “Me Time” every morning.

I love what she came up with.

First thing when she woke up, she would go downstairs and make herself a cup of tea.

Then, in order to avoid the ruckus around her, she’d head right back upstairs to her bedroom, close the door, sit on her bed, sip her tea, and read for 10 minutes before she opened the door to enter the craziness of what used to be her peaceful home.

All she needed to “fill her cup” in the morning was 10 minutes of Me Time where she could sit in the quiet, drink her favorite tea, and read a morning meditation.

Another important factor was that she made it clear to her husband, daughter, and grandson that she was not to be disturbed during her sacred time – surely, she thought, they could manage without her assistance for just 10 minutes, and that they did.

Remember, Me Time doesn’t need to be much – much money, much time, much of a production, etc. – it simply needs to work for you.

Certainly, weekend getaways by yourself or with your best girlfriends, massages, spa days, and things of the sort are wonderful things to do, but today, I’d like to challenge you to think more about what small “Me Time” practice you can do on a regular basis.

It can be short and simple and ideally becomes a great ritual, like my prior client’s, that you come to find you can’t live without.

If it’s not small enough for you to start doing today, then think smaller.

What small “Me Time” act can you gift yourself on a regular basis?

It’s your turn to take care of you,

 

 

 

It’s Your Turn to Take Care of You!

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