Take Time for YOU!
Take time for me?
You may be laughing as you see this post. In the midst of work, kids and marriage, where exactly is this magical place, that I find time for myself? And isn’t is a selfish thought anyway? Lately it has seemed like the only time I get to be by myself is in the car, in the shower or when I’m sleeping. (Well maybe when my 3 year old doesn’t crawl beside me, take over my pillow and push both of us off the bed at 4 am.)
With a constant sucking of energy by little people, job, partner, or even the stress of a daily schedule; you can become overwhelmed by the most menial of tasks. Cooking is working, even you are like me and love to cook. Your brain and body need down time. A time to do nothing. That means NOTHING. Everyone needs this time, to rejuvenate and have balance. You can call it quiet time as I tell my children or meditation or prayer. Prayer is when you are talking to God but meditation is when you let God talk to you. You need to quiet your mind every day so I would say meditation is as important as prayer. You can always tell when someone is not balanced based on their happiness and mood.
Remember all of the advice you have gotten from friends and family over the year when romantic relationships come and go? “You need to love yourself first or you can’t truly love someone else.” I believe this is the same idea when it comes to time spent on yourself. Thing of it as having a “you tank” that fills up when you get to do things that give “you” balance. If this tank gets too low and you are runnin’ on empty; then it’s much harder to find that energy to chase after the kids at nap time or have a patient conversation with your spouse. This is when the “bear” in you rears it’s ugly head.
A few weeks ago, my husband treated me to a weekend seminar that I’d been wanting to go to with one of my favorite speakers and authors in Asheville. While I was there, I really got to have some time for myself and it was amazing how much a clear head did for my goals and aspirations. After my weekend away, I felt very rejuvenated, ready to take on the world, as well as give my family the attention and love that they deserve. When your tank is low, that’s when you start feeling taken for granted and it gets harder to be kind and loving with the important people in your life.
I am not saying that this is easy. We can’t make more time in the day but we can take steps to make our lives a bit easier. If you have a spouse or a partner, make a day and time each week that each of you gets at least a few hours away. Whether it’s a rejuvenating massage, a mom’s night out, a round on the golf course or just laying in a hammock and reading a book. This is your time to be with yourself. Recharge and rejuvenate.
You are so important. You will only be able to succeed at the things you want to achieve if you take some “you” time. You will be a better mother, father, employee, boss, friend, sibling, and lover.
Feel your cup so it can overflow.
