Have You Got the Time?

It seems the hustle and bustle of everyday life can easily consume our time and leave us with nothing but a used calendar and the thought "Wow, where did the time go?" if we're not careful. It's very easy to get caught up in responsibilities, work, and just plain everyday life.

In college I use to take time for myself either by lifting weights (no not of the 12 oz. variety...OK, maybe a couple times :o) ) or riding my mountain bike. Usually these rides were about 20-25 miles and 1.5-2 hours long, 3 times per week. As my responsibilities increased it got a little more difficult to squeeze in all the activities I wanted to do...

Once I graduated and got an OT (occupational therapy) job, it seemed like it tired me out more than school did, at least at first, and I didn't have as much time to myself. I still rode but it was more sporadic and usually only for 45 minutes or so. I then took another job and sometimes chose to work 11 hour days to get my work done. This cut into my personal time...my job, slowly became...work. The funny thing is it took me awhile to realize it. When I finally "woke up" and realized it, I made some changes and got back on the path to being happy. Taking time for yourself makes life much more fulfilling, and you're telling yourself good things, like...YOU'RE important.

It doesn't matter what it is you do, bike, paint with water colors, or walk on the beach, take some time for yourself. If you're always working and never playing you don't give yourself a chance to just relax, and it will catch up to you eventually, making you feel stressed, tired, or dissatisfied...

We all need balance in our lives and when someone decides to tilt the scales in any one direction too often and for too long, they have a tendency to pay for it in other areas, whether it be health, relationships, or prosperity.

Every one of us is different so you really need to figure out how much time you need to give yourself. If you only need 1-2 hours per week that's great, just make sure you keep your date with yourself. I think you'll find as you do this you'll really look forward to this time you give yourself and you may notice things seem to go more smoothly, easily, and you could actually end up being more productive in the long run. It's funny because it seems like you have more time, even though you have less, but it's true (i.e. your using more time for yourself but since your stress decreases, it feels like you have more).

I've noticed when I take time for myself I enjoy life more, I have more fun, and things seem to flow better.

So go ahead, sit down and schedule out next week (or maybe the following week if you're already "booked" solid) and make sure to take some time out for yourself. I think you'll find you appreciate and look forward to "your time", and don't be surprised if others notice a subtle difference in you. Even though you have a great personality already, you may become totally irresistible. ;o)

mw