Sometimes the answers we seek are literally right in front of us. As parents we often talk about not getting enough “me” time. However, there is a way and it’s really quite simple. What you have to do is take out a calendar or day planner and schedule time for yourself. That’s right, make a date with yourself. You’re equally as important as any activity or appointment aren’t you? Nod your head “yes”.
I had read on several separate occasions that you should schedule exercise into your day. That you should actually write it down as an appointment. Why not do the same thing with “me” time I wondered? The answer is there’s no logical reason why we should not schedule time for ourselves.
A word of caution here: DON’T FEEL GUILTY ABOUT TAKING TIME FOR YOURSELF. I know you’ve heard it said before, but it warrants repeating. You won’t do anyone any good if you run yourself ragged. When I decide to schedule time for myself, I admit, I felt like I should have been doing something. But over the past few weeks, it has gotten easier. Yesterday, for instance, I scheduled time for, get this, a nap. Yes, I said a nap. I dropped Tyler off at school and then I came back home and slept for two hours. When I woke up, I felt refreshed. I didn’t feel the least bit guilty. After all, I still had time to work before it was time to pick Tyler up from school- it was just 10:30. I missed my morning walk, but I was able to take it in the evening so I still got a nap and my exercise in for the day.
I have also let me be known to Tyler that I will be scheduling “me” time at times when he is home. He’s certainly old enough to understand the concept and to start respecting the privacy of others. So far, it works about half the time. I don’t schedule long blocks of time but if I can work 5 or 10 minutes in here and there, I take it.
So go ahead and pencil yourself in. Write “me time” in big bold letters in your day planner. For some of us who are trying to juggle multiple roles, this may be the only way that we will ever get any “me” time.
See also:
Sneaking “ME” Time Into Your Day