Do you feel like you are losing a grip on life? Have you felt yourself start to spiral out of control? Do you feel anxious or unsettled? Are you thinking to yourself, “if one more thing goes wrong, I’m gonna lose it!”…….If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time for some “me time” my friend. What is “me time” you ask? Me time is time set aside just for…..YOU. It’s time where you take a step back from the craziness of life and just focus on taking a chill pill. Unfortunately, once life starts, there is no pause button or time-outs, you have to create them. I am currently having “me time” against my will. I just had surgery and am out of work for 2 weeks healing. The typical Lisa would pile on a million things to my to do list because, hello, I’m off and it would be the perfect time to get ahead on life!!! Per the doctor, I must take it easy and relax. Ughhhh. The bad thing about it is I haven’t been that relaxed! Well I have physically…. but mentally my mind has been on overload because I’m thinking about all the things I should be doing! It wasn’t until my insomnia worsened that I realized that I seriously needed to take this “me time” seriously for my own good. You would think that the pain medicine they put me on would have me out cold…. Nope, my body has been rejecting everything I try to take to help my insomnia. I say all of this to say, life won’t just slow down. We have to learn to slow it down for our own sanity. It will help us to live healthier lives when we figure out how to balance it all out which is why “me time” is so important.
Here are some things that I like to do to incorporate “me time”. Maybe there are some things you can try or suggest.
- Bubble Bath. A warm (almost hot) bubble bath is my absolute favorite (especially if it’s a jetted tub!). I always set the scene. If you can’t pamper yourself the way you like to be pampered, don’t expect someone else to do it. I light candles and place them around the tub, pour myself a glass or two of my favorite wine, play some soft music in the background, and of course dim the lights.
- Get outdoors. Getting away from noise is usually the best way to get some peace. Even if it’s just for a moment, take a walk or sit on your porch for a second and let the breeze and God’s creation overwhelm you.
- Meditate. I’ve started guided meditation because I’m new to it and find it very helpful. Make sure you are in a comfortable position and a quiet room.
- Pray. Prayer is so releasing. Try this type of prayer for your “me time”: tell God what is burdening you and do a gesture as if you were laying them at his feet, and then exhale slowly and imagine the weight of your burdens being lifted. Thank him and remain in his presence for a while.
- Treat yourself. Go out alone to a cafe or a restaurant and just treat yourself to something nice that you would enjoy in your own company. I personally like Thai tea so this is something I incorporate regularly. I just people watch, so my tea, and enjoy my own company. Completely normal right?
- Unplug. When life seems so loud it’s because it is. There is a saying that almost anything will work again if you unplug it for a while…. Including you! Take a few moments and disconnect from all of your connected devices and breathe…. Just breathe. Get some headspace and just be in the moment. That email can surely wait for your sanity to return. Trust me.
I hope this post helped someone. I am surely going to have to reread this as a reminder to myself during my recovery phase. Let me know if you have any tips you can add. Enjoy your me time!!