We live in such a success-driven world, that we sometimes forget to take the time to "live" and enjoy life, the way I think life was meant to be.
In enjoying life, it is important for us to discover and appreciate our true selves, and what makes us happiest. When we are tuned into our inner selves, we are more adept with what makes us tick, we acknowledge our weaknesses, and we own our strengths. This can have a positive influence on our personal growth and well-being, as we are more inclined to seek ways to improve ourselves. Knowing our strengths and capabilities gives us the confidence to tackle challenges and self-belief that we can conquer any tribulations that we might face, in an emotionally stable and calm manner.
Me time activities enrich our lives by forcing us to slow down our thinking processes and movements, which resets our minds and leaves us feeling recuperated and rejuvenated. This balances us and makes us feel like we are more independent and capable of taking care of our personal needs, and makes us more readily available to offer our assistance and give of our time to others.
You might be wondering if giving more of ourselves to others is not contradicting doing me-time. It's not really. We cannot give from an empty vessel. Therefore, taking time for ourselves, and doing the things that we love, helps us to refocus and regain balance, which then enables us to give more of ourselves and spend quality time with the persons that are precious to us.
We all have busy lives to live. Whether it's long hours on the job, long days at home prepping meals, looking after children, cleaning, or food shopping, all these things take time, mental and physical energies, and can sometimes leave us feeling so drained as if we have nothing left to give, and like we don't even have time to think. These feelings can cause fatigue and bring out negative emotions in us, which can gradually lead to slight feelings of depression. Our minds then shift to focus on the low feelings and moods, which cripple us further and can send us further into the suffocating arms of long-term depression, and low self-esteem.
Spending moments doing activities just for ourselves, away from the other priorities and obligations that we have for ourselves and others is vital for our health.
Some of my favourite me-time activities:
Sudoku and Crossword Puzzles
- My brain training exercises. I enjoy doing both of these puzzles to help to keep my brain active in different ways. Sudoku makes me focus, while crosswords make me think. I visualise scenarios from words and clues, which help with my overall creativity. Most times I discover new words and phrases, which are great and make me feel good to add them to my blogs.
Coffee With Muffins
- I like to have a cup of black coffee with a muffin, or cookie in the afternoons while enjoying the nature and wildlife around me. I smell my coffee, I taste it, the same with the muffin or any snack that I might be having. I always smell my food. (smelling is my strongest sense). Take the time to watch birds flying high, or I may watch the ducks swimming. Somedays, especially on sunny days, I enjoy looking out the window and I like the feel of the sun glaring in on my face.
Introspection
- I like having conversations with myself; Introspective conversations; In the third person; They are honest and brutal.
I do not speak of myself in the third person in conversations normally. However, I do so when I am having me time self-talk. During these me time sessions with myself, I stop to observe the emotion that I am feeling. I even do it in front of the mirror, so I can look straight into the eyes of the person who is looking back at me. If it's a moment of self-doubt, I ask myself why. I remind myself of some of thethingschallenges I have faced and situations where I had to be brave and do things courageously despite consequences and available resources. I remind myself of when I did something stupid but came out successful by mere luck, and I compare situations and analyse past actions, and see what I would do differently if there was a recurrence of the event.
I might even write my feelings down, and write steps that I must take. If it's one of those moments when I am feeling happy, I give gratitude (I try to do this daily, at any time).
- I like having conversations with myself; Introspective conversations; In the third person; They are honest and brutal.
Me time can be anything that makes you happy.
How do I fit my Me time into my schedule?
A little goes a long way.
Me-time does not mean you have to announce that you are taking the day off because you need it. Scheduling just short breaks in between your regular priorities is enough.
For example, my puzzles, I do not spend the entire day doing puzzles, because that would cause stress.
Time management is important. So, I might assign 20 minutes, or 30 minutes to doing puzzles. If I enjoy it and decide an hour is still good within my time frame, then so be it. Organising your days helps you to schedule me-time effortlessly.
The same as drinking coffee while enjoying my muffin: I take the moment to switch off from other problems and tasks that I might have been doing, and I enjoy the moment of my coffee and muffin wholesomely.
Minimalism comes in all different forms. I believe slow living and me-time all falls into place when we aim to have mental clarity by focusing on the things that are important to us, and what truly matters. I.e. Being mindful and focused over being anxious and worrisome.
This is my contribution to #Kiss Topics: Week 1 topic Simple Living, with the focus Me-time.
I invite you to check out these Post Ideas For The Week: No. 1 by the The Minimalist community.
All images are mine