Some of you may be saying/thinking "your therapy and things to keep your body and mind going are for you!" Yes, you are correct but just like when I was working in the corporate world, so I could enjoy my high heeled life ~ the mind and body still needed time to renew, heal and create reserves of energy and peace. Something that even with all the long hours I still managed to do, back then.
"So what's different" you ask?
Well, much like women with many roles and responsibilities ~ wife, parent, sibling, child, friend and career worker spending their days catering to the needs of others at the expense of their own well being. I have come to realize on this road to recovery that I have let others dictate appointments, sessions and activities according to what works best for them, and not what is best for me. Too caught up in the Doing ~worried how a long time between appointments would look; not wanting to be labeled as difficult or not-interested in getting better, I forgot how to be. I fell prey to NOT BEING IMPORTANT, after all everyone else was scheduling according to what was best for them.Here are some of my ideas for ME TIME?
Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day
that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson and Albert Einstein. ~ H. Jackson Brown
20 minutes.... (even if you start with one day a week ...and gradually add a day)
Start reading that book that has been staring at you from your night table, since Christmas 2005....
Tune the world out with a relaxing warm bath ... a head set will help keep outside noise away
(for those with small children or hubbies who always can't find something - LOCK THE DOOR)
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Just sit and enjoy a cup of tea or your favorite warm soothing beverage
Write in your journal ... goals, plans, just write
Meditate ... using soft music or a CD with directed meditation
Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time,
you will not do anything with it. ~ M. Scott Peck
I would love for you to share how you make ME TIME and
some of the things you do with that time!!
Love this and really need it...I practiced it today and blogged about it
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely advice for each and every person to follow. Start with 20 minutes means it is possible to do. For me, reading time and exercise time are "me time." I hope you are following your advice, dear one.
ReplyDeletelove this.. i def have my tea or take a nice bath with bubbles for some me time! Also yoga is my me time!
ReplyDeleteI love these ideas and can relate very much. As women, I think we tend to put ourselves (especially our emotional/mental selves last). In college my favorite escape was to head to the local Barnes & Noble and pick a funny, lighthearted book off the shelf...I'd stay for 30 minutes, 1 hour, sometimes even 3 hours! It's so so important to provide ourselves with time like that!
ReplyDeleteWow. Thanks for this great reminder. I often lose site of this. I'm a giver so I love to take care of others...need to remember to make some ME time!!
ReplyDelete<3-Cami from First Day of My Life
Dearest Celia,
ReplyDeleteAdmittingly, there is never enough 'ME TIME' but I do reward myself with a complete Spa treatment, even if it is done at home. Leisurely in the tub and taking care of my skin, using the loofah, using virgin coconut oil for my hair even before getting in the tub. Shampooing my hair and using balsam. Doing my toe nails and finger nails... A LOT of ME TIME and you sleep like a rose afterwards. Feeling refreshed and happy.
You are so right and we should allow more for ourselves and our loved one; for relaxing together. Even taking a walk together is pure bliss.
Love to you and thanks for being such a dear friend; words cannot say enough...
A tight hug to the both of you!
Oh, by the way, we talked to daughter Liz and she got herself a Cairn Terrier puppy. He's now 11 weeks so cute we saw him on the iPhone this morning before breakfast...
Love,
Mariette
So So So SO important. And I make ME time EVERY single day! xoxo
ReplyDeleteMy dad's favorite answer of all time is "Do what's best for you and don't be afraid to say no".
ReplyDeleteI usually have my "me" time at night after everyone else is sleeping. It is my favorite time of the day.
Wow - I good post to knock me over the heard with something that I really need to listen too - I feel like I have only so much time and I run around nuts half the time trying to "live life to the fullest" but I am finding that there is just as much joy in a few simple minutes of solitude and that it is needed for me. Thank you for this - bookmarking for frequent future use!!!!!!!!!!1 hugs.
ReplyDeleteyikes sorry - quick typing gone wrong! A good post to knock me over the HEAD not heard! HA!
ReplyDeleteI should print this list out and stick it somewhere where I see it 10 times a day! It's so easy to beat yourself up about things you haven't accomplished or finished on a particular day, but if you let your ME time go, it will only feel worse the next day. Thanks for the reminder! xx Knot Just Nautical
ReplyDeleteMe time starts at 7:45 a.m. (even if I DON'T) want to get out of bed. I have a quick yogurt and head to the gym for 1-1/2 hours of walking and riding a bike. It is hard to do but I make myself do this for myself to keep in some kind of shape. I have started reading in the evening until bedtime which is something that I let go by the wayside. I love to read and for me is relaxing. It is hard to set aside time for your self but the most important thing you can do.
ReplyDeleteCUT YOURSELF SOME SLACK!
Kris
Trying to simplify life in today's world is challenging. Women often assume multiple rules and over schedule themselves resulting in an overload situation. We are different interms of how much we can handle. I am on my second career and have 2 kids in college. Over the years it's been a struggle - my me time was 2 to 3 a,m! After years of trying to figure it out I think I've got it and family and friends no longer criticize or judge . Give and take.. Simplify.
ReplyDeleteLeslie
I love all your ideas. I also love to blog and just watch silly TV or a movie. I hope you can work it in! You deserve it
ReplyDeletexoxo
SC
Hi Ceila,
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel, and I made myself a promise during the New Year celebrations I would make changes for my life, too. With a chronic illness or a sudden accident takes away the life you knew and throws you a curve ball, you are at first so grateful for everyone's help you do start living you life around them, usually more then one of "them!" There are so many changes we must go through, and I'm about where you are about taking care of me, and not being guilty about it!
Here's a tip of my tea cup to you (tip tip, tap) and 2012 will be a wonderful year for us both!
Blessings,
Donna
Terrific advice Celia! As a guy there's nothing more relaxing (besides a massage) than a hot bubble bath in a dim room with some candles. Does wonders for stress. Otherwise I'm happy spending some alone time writing.
ReplyDeletexoxo
great ideas....I think I shall steal them.
ReplyDeleteAppointments and working on health can most certainly be a full-time job. Maybe planning to even pack a sandwich to eat in the car when you are super busy just to refuel or even a bag of nuts for some protein. I have gotten better at making me time and it's mostly due to my son going off to college and the husband no longer living here. With just Logan at home I have a lot more free time. Bubble baths help big time for me. They help relax all of my sore muscles and get me more relaxed for sleep, (which I don't do much these days). I've tried meditation, really think I need it, but I either fall asleep or my mind wanders... so ADD! xo
ReplyDeleteAh yes! I hear you on the doctors' appointments, therapy, and such! Sometimes managing health matters truly feels like a full-time job. Recently, a number of people have recommended acupuncture and meditation to me, to help deal with stress (potentially terminal illness? bitter divorce? custody battle? -- what stress???!!!!!!!! -- oh sorry, I got lost for a sec; am back). I have not actually tried those things, but friends seem to be on board with those as helpful self-care. Lately, I have tried to take the time to slow down and appreciate the moment, light a fire in the fireplace, light a candle at the dinner table (even it's only mac & cheese, from a box), and play soothing music (love some Adele). Little things to create a peaceful, calming environment when my life is anything but. Hugs to you, JS
ReplyDeleteYou are right we do need more me time! I think a lot of us put other people and pressures first and forget about us! I like having a nice relaxing bubble bath and watching an old movie. New to your blog and I think you are so inspiring and I wish you lots of luck in the future! :-) XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! (and you MUST eat properly! - I will come and feed you if I have to...)
ReplyDeleteI remember when the baby was small and days seemed endless...the moment my husband came home, I would leave. And walk around the mall..grab a starbucks...whatever. Alone time. It gave me my sanity.
My mom always reminded me to take "me" time because she said a well rounded woman was a better mother, wife, person.
ReplyDeleteI always find time to read fiction because getting lost in someone elses' world is fun. I try to read something inspirational before I go to bed. I've heard it is important to inspire your mind before you go to sleep. Then answers, solutions and ideas will come while you sleep. Say, "I need an answer to this problem." Then, sleep on it!
After my month off, I value my time even more than I did. I no longer allow time-suckers to steal my time whether people or things!