How many times have you thought about something you want to do for yourself, but then thought that you don’t have time for it? Many times we spend so much time doing what we feel we need to do that we don’t have enough time for what we would love to do. You start to feel that you won’t have enough quality time for your family or social activities. The thing is not having time for those things can leave you feeling stressed and unhappy. Which is why I decided going into the New Year to take more time for myself. I have to be able to relax and have time for myself without feeling guilty because someone will get offended but with this pandemic.
I have to learn to say “no” to certain situations rather it’s a job opportunity or hanging with friends. Before I take on any new responsibilities this year, I have to carefully consider how these activities will impact my life, both positively and negatively. I have to think about my motivations for saying “yes” to certain situations. There are a lot of thoughts that come into my mind like Do I just want to avoid feeling like I’m letting someone else down by saying no? When I know how to say no without feeling guiltily, I know it will be easier for me to say it more often. I shouldn’t have to feel bad but I don’t have to go to every event or go out with my friends every time. We are still dealing with a pandemic and I don’t go out much anyway. Declining your friends may bring friction between you guys at first but they will understand eventually. You don’t have to apologize for asking for what you need. Let people know if you need some time to yourself or would rather stay home while they go out. Saying no can become easier with practice.
The ability to find time in my busy schedule is important for many reasons. Having enough time for my family, time for myself, and simple do-nothing is vital for maintaining mentally. When you make time for yourself, you start to explore your creative side, think about your future, explore what interests you the most, and start to learn more about yourself. Sometimes you need time to regroup and have the necessary downtime after a long day of stress.
Taking time for myself doesn’t always have to involve taking a huge amount of time in my schedule. I think it is important to take small breaks to recharge and refresh your mind. I plan to try these ideas when I need a quick break from the world. I definitely plan to do some yoga that involves medication, write down my thoughts in a journal, and try to have a girl’s night more with my friends. I don’t want to wait until I reach the point where I feel like I can’t take it anymore. When I feel like I need a break, I plan to walk away for a few moments to clear my head, even if it’s just to relax for a few minutes with my favorite candy or enjoy a stroll around the block.
You can find yourself spending time on things like social media out of habit rather than out of a need for a break. When I come home from work, I take the night off from social media for about three hours every day. I work as a Social Media Manager during the day so I am always online or on a cell phone that can be a lot because you are always on the phone. So, I take a hard look at how I spend my time at night and try to declutter my mind. I watch television because most of my shows are on cable. I watch certain shows on certain days of the week or if nothing is on, I watch a movie on Netflix. During this helps me distress from the world and allows a bit of relaxation. Work on turning my “me time” is a habit that is part of my regular routine. I had to set up boundaries and make sure that my family knows that during these three hours at night it is my downtime. I prioritize and get the things done early so that I have more free time to work with.
Carving out time for myself in this world during a pandemic can be a challenge. However, it is essential for my sense of balance and mental well-being for the New Year. If you would like to find ways to have an amazing year full of happiness and less stress this year, then one of the best changes you can do is find more time in your schedule for your family, friends, and things that reflect what you’d really like to do. Instead, intentionally set aside some time each week to do the things that you want to do. Take a little time each day to walk alone, write, read, or do whatever you need to build a reserve of calm and comfort.
