We live our lives according to the schedules we create. Whether it’s work or personal, there are appointments to keep, events to attend, meetings to plan and travel to do. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I forget about me.
Take for instance those invitations to family gatherings or social functions. I used to make myself crazy trying to get to two parties in one day, and I never really got a chance to enjoy myself at either one. Or what about those last minute invitations that come a day before the event? Feeling a sense of obligation, I would rearrange my schedule just to make sure I could attend.
Recently I’ve found myself doing more self-reflection by asking two questions: “What works for me?” And, more importantly, “What does not?” In the midst of a full schedule, I make a conscious effort to schedule what I call “Time for ME.” It’s usually a weekend when I try to not plan anything and allow myself to enjoy the things I like to do. Most recently I’ve enjoyed spending time at home, watching a movie, reading a book, baking, even getting to those projects that I had been putting off because “I didn’t have time.”
We make time for so many things. How are you making time for yourself?
This message is adapted from “Time for me” written by Gabriela Contreras for the Women of the ELCA blog on February 27, 2014.