When I started this blog, many of my friends suggested I write about me time. About how I manage to balance my professional and my personal time. And particularly how I manage to have time for myself while making sure that my family and my household are getting the attention they all need. After all, it is not easy when you are a business woman, a wife, a mom and more recently a blogger, who also works from home. I did mention in a previous post (The truth about working from home) that working from home can easily swallow all of your time if you are not careful.
So I decided to write about this not because I have THE ANSWER. I really don’t. I struggle just as much as anybody else. But throughout these last 6 years that I’ve spent working from home I might have learned a lesson or two and I would love to share those with you. Maybe you find some inspiration too. But before you read any further, you might want to grab a snack or a drink because this is a long one 🙂
Prioritizing time for yourself does not make you selfish
In fact it is the opposite of superficial or selfish. This might seem counter-intuitive to some. I used to fall into the trap of believing this as well. But I learned early enough that if I don’t look after myself I cannot expect anybody else to. And if I am not happy and fulfilled, I cannot share happiness and joy with my family and friends. Or I cannot focus at work and do my job as best as I can. So I learned to prioritize time, and I try to do that every day, for myself. To do what gives me joy, what makes me happy, what gives me energy.
Now, I am an introvert. I’ve always been. I take my energy from being alone, by myself and with my thoughts. I get energy from meditating and reading more than I do from interacting with others. But if you do, that is great too. It is just important to have an honest conversation with ourselves and figure out what it is we truly enjoy. What is it that truly gives us energy. And do some or more of that.
So I make it a point every day to save even if only 30 minutes for myself. To do what I enjoy. And I encourage you to do the same. Trust me, anyone who loves you will understand that and will not feel deprioritized or left aside. On the contrary, they will appreciate the fact that when you are together you really spend quality time, that you are present and happy instead of complaining or being unhappy.
And this brings me to the next lesson I’ve learned.
How to find the time?
Many times even if we understand that we need to look after ourselves, we fall into another trap, an even larger one. The trap of time. Our society has conditioned us to believe we don’t have time. Even worse, it has conditioned us to believe that being busy is good. That it makes us important and it gives us status.
Time has become the most precious and sought after commodity of our generation.
But at the end of the day, time is just an illusion. And whether we think we have time or we think we don’t, we are right.
–
The lesson I’ve learned over the years is that it is all about intention. And transforming that intention into action through planning and prioritization.
Planning is transforming intention into action
I was always a structured and organized person, I’ll admit that. But over these past years I believe I’ve taken planning to a whole new level. I always used to-do lists and calendars, but everything changed when I started using a planner. The planner helps set an intention and work to make it happen. It help you prioritize and choose what’s really important to you.
At first I used a planner I bought online but then soon after I realized I needed much more than it offered me. So I created my own. I built my own weekly planner that helps me FIND TIME. It helps me prioritize, stay motivated and look after myself. I call it my Mindful Planner. In a nutshell, it helps me stay sane and productive, while inspiring me every day. If you guys are interested in more details about my Mindful Planner I am happy to write a post dedicated to it and how I use it. Just let me know 🙂
Another change I made that literally changed my life is waking up earlier. After reading Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning (https://www.miraclemorning.com/) I started waking up at 6am. And this gives me 1 full hour in the morning, before anybody else is up, just for myself. I will soon write a post to share more about my miracle morning.
The last learning I want to share with you is about
What do I do with the time I make for myself
First of all, as I said, I try to book more slots of time for myself during the day. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t. And that’s ok. But even if it was a crazy busy day at work, or a day when my son was sick and had to stay at home and I had no time for anything else, I do try to set aside at least 15-20 min at the end of the day for myself. And then, I either have a cup of tea and read, or I meditate, or I watch a quick YouTube video – depending on what I feel would bring me more joy.
Other times, when I do a better job staying on top of things at work and when it comes to my household, then I take more time for myself. I really enjoy cooking or baking. So even though most week days I look for the quick and easy meals, once in a while I will take my time in the kitchen. This relaxes me and it also brings joy to my son and my husband who are big lovers of good food ;). Also, I enjoy a lot going to hot yoga. So when I have more time, I sign up for a 90 min hot yoga class close to my house. This helps center myself spiritually, mentally and physically.
Make appointments
Last but not least, I do plan time for myself to go to the nails or the hair salon. Even though one might think it’s not necessary since I work from home. But this makes me feel good. It gives me joy and makes me feel stronger and more secure in my own body. It also is a great way to make sure I do take time for myself even during crazy busy times. Because I have an appointment and someone is waiting for me.
I truly hope that these 3 lessons I’ve learned over the years about finding and planning for me time have inspired you too. And that you will look to find more time during the day for the activities that make you happy. And trust me, it doesn’t need to be 90min. It can be just about going out and getting a cup of your favorite coffee. Or going for a quick run. On even sitting on the couch and relaxing for 5 minutes. As long as you are present and enjoying that moment to its fullest.
As the end of the day, it’s all about those little moments that make us happy.
Until next time,
Laura