Do I need more time? The answer probably depends on what is expected of me during that time.

Do I need more time to fill with errands, expectations, and parenting? No, not really. I already spend 16 hours a day doing for others. I wake up and get the kids moving for their day. I run them to school, across town from each other. Then it’s time to fit in a bit of time working on my virtual assistant stuff. That is if no one else needs something from me first thing in the morning. Once I’m off and running, the likelihood is that I won’t see the inside of my house for more than a few minutes at a time until after I pick the kids up from school. They get out of school five minutes apart but are 8.5 miles apart. At least two days a week, but more often it is four, I’m not done after that. My youngest has dance and theatre that she has to be driven to and picked up from. If it’s dance, then I am also there for the duration. Usually that is about two and half hours. And I am working with the students and parents during that time. Oops, did I forget we need to eat dinner. Sometimes we eat before our extracurriculars, but often she and I don’t eat until eight or later.

Well, that was a bit of a tangent, but also a small look into my day.

Do I need more time to center myself, to do some self-care, to go for a hike and commune with nature, to just have some downtime? Yes, yes I could use some more time. I miss nature so much. I am an introvert and need quiet time to recharge. But nature is even better at recharging my batteries. Some time in the woods, by the river, climbing rocks. If I could have more time in my day it would be spent doing those things for myself.

Importance of Self-Care

Self-care is beneficial for our minds and bodies. It can reduce anxiety and depression. It can boost your self-esteem, and it can help you build better relationships. Burnout is real, and not just in stressful jobs. A person can burn out on life if they are not taking care of themselves. Anxiety can spike if you’re constantly in go mode. Depression can spike if you’re feeling like you are letting yourself or others down regularly. Taking some time to take care of your needs is necessary. Think about the safety message on the plane. You are instructed to put on your own mask before you help anyone else with theirs. There is a reason for that. If you aren’t taking care of yourself, there is a chance you won’t be able to take care of others. If you slip into a depression so deep you can’t get out of bed, who are you helping?

Inserting Self-Care into Your Busy Day

Taking five minutes in your day to close your eyes and focus on your breathing can make a huge difference. The more often you can take these breaks, the better it will be for you. Think about when you’re in the pickup line at the kids’ school. Can you take five minutes there to breathe? How about before you transition to the next thing that needs to be done?

How about a quick snack? Did you even eat breakfast this morning? How about lunch? I probably didn’t. Your body needs fuel to keep moving. A quick healthy snack can make a difference. And don’t forget your water!

There are a few different ways to give yourself some self-care. The important part is to pick one, or two, or how many ever you can/need, and do them.

So, I guess I was right. Everyone needs more time. It is just a matter of what they need that time for. For me, I need more time to spend on me. For you, it might be more time for a quiet dinner with yourself or some friends. So, take some time and create a self-care routine for yourself. Something you can follow through on. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many things, because it will be difficult to follow through then. I would love you to share what you already do, or what you are going to do, for your daily self-care.