Find Time For Yourself

Posted on March 17, 2017 by Julie Homsy, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Has your day gotten by you without you knowing it, you didn’t get a chance to do the things that you have been wanting to do for days now, maybe even months or how about years?

You feel like you have lost yourself or at least a part of yourself?

You are not alone. Whether you are single, a single parent or married with children or without, we have all been there when there just isn’t enough time in the day for us.

So how do you find “me time” or should I say make “me time”?

First, and foremost, if you are in a relationship let them know that you need time for yourself. Don’t be surprised if you struggle with telling your significant other this. Just know that it is okay and it will be okay. If your significant other balks at you having “me time” or they don’t understand, let them know that they too can have time for themselves. And be honest…if you feel that you have lost yourself because of work, school, kids, home or whatever…let them know.

Second, write out everything that you do during the day and typically what time you do it at. You can do this in Outlook Calendar, use an Excel Spreadsheet or whatever is easiest for you. (Here’s a tip: use colors for blocks of time) Here is an example for morning:

5:00
5:30
6:00 Wake Up
6:30 Get Kids Ready
7:00 Make Breakfast/Lunches
7:30
8:00 Get Kids off to School
8:30 Clean up Breakfast Dishes
9:00 Yoga
9:30
10:00 Run Errands
10:30
11:00 Laundry
11:30
12:00 Lunch

This is called a default calendar. Once you do this for your whole day, from the time you wake up until the time you go to bed, you can then look at where you can find time for yourself. It could be getting up ½ hour earlier or taking 30 minutes for lunch instead of 60 minutes. Do this for each day of the week. This is especially great for stay-at-home moms and dads, because sometimes when you don’t think you have enough time in your day, you actually find that you do…but just might need to consolidate your free time.

Next, put your free time on your default calendar. This is your time and nothing should interrupt that time (unless it is an emergency). Set aside time for appointments on your calendar, dates with your significant other or kids. I would include lunch with a girlfriend or golf with the guys as “me time” so that it doesn’t take away from everything else that you need to accomplish during the day.

The Default Calendar is also great to use if you find yourself not having enough time to get your work done at work.

Remember, whether you find time by getting up earlier, staying up later at night or finding time during the course of your day, try to find 30 to 60 minutes just for you. Once you do you will start seeing a change in yourself.

Lastly, be sure to use that new found time for yourself for something that will help you be a better you. Whether it is exercise, socializing with friends, spending time with family or just sitting quietly and letting your thoughts wonder…it will all bring you back to you and the feeling of peace.