The 15 Minute Difference: Stay Refreshed Despite Life's Chaos

By Ann Bingley Gallops

See all Articles submitted by SelfGrowth.com AdminSee SelfGrowth.com Admin's Expert PageGet Updates on Stress ManagementGet Updates on SelfGrowth.com Admin

We all know that life can be chaotic. There are so many things to do, so many responsibilities -- it's easy to feel overwhelmed and without time for yourself -- let alone time to feel grounded and serene.

So here's a strategy that can help refresh you despite the crazy world around you.

Simply put, it's a way to "organize" yourself and make room for the important things in your life.

The craziness of life is so much easier to approach from a place of serenity and resolve.

The Gift Of Time

Give yourself the gift of 15 minutes in the morning that is yours and yours alone. This is often the only time of day when it's even possible to have a few minutes to yourself, and I've discovered that it can make all the difference between feeling in control of your life, or not.

Whether you're at home or traveling for pleasure or on business, this 15-minute interval can make all the difference in your approach to the day. It's a time to gather your strength and bring yourself into focus.

I don't necessarily mean that it's a time to sit and meditate. In fact for many people - including myself and clients I've worked with - it's a time for making your life look and feel a little bit more like you'd like it to before the stresses of the day kick in.

You may like to use your 15 minutes to enjoy a cup of tea, to meditate, to write in a journal. At home, it's an especially great time to go into a "zen state" and straighten up around the house: fold laundry, tidy up the living room, or just put a few things away. My husband seems to go into a trance as he cleans up the kitchen each morning (yes, I am a lucky gal!).

When you're on the road, rather than turning on the TV you might like to take the time to enjoy one of the magazine articles you've been meaning to read while you savor a cup of coffee or tea. Or go for a short walk around your hotel and check out the neighborhood.

An Essential Start to Your Day

The point is to define the time as yours. These 15 minutes will come to feel essential because they provide a stable base, grounding you for whatever the day brings. It's similar to the principle of eating a good breakfast: a daily routine that provides nourishment and strength, and one of the easiest ways to take good care of yourself.

In addition to all of these benefits, defining a few minutes of private time creates boundaries and provides you with structure. For example, you'll give yourself the greatest chance of success by making sure your family knows about your new routine.

So give it a try. You may want to start by getting out of bed a few minutes earlier than usual, or starting your "normal" day just a few minutes later. Sometimes it's hard to change a routine by something that seems as "small" as 15 minutes, so you may even want to get a 15-minute hourglass, just to make sure you use the entire span of time.

15 minutes is a small bit of time in the grand scheme of things, but it can make a huge difference in your life. I know you'll discover that this time will change your outlook and ease you into you day. The time for yourself will give you a base, helping to keep you sane and equipped for whatever lies ahead, and that is certainly worth 15 minutes.