To kick off the January Back to Basics series, Meagan, the author of the blog Frugal Fun & Fortune, is providing us with some tips on how to find time for yourself. My New Years resolution is to do less – meaning less commitments, less running around and more time doing things that help renew myself in 2010. I am tired of being tired.
As the New Year begins, I’m sure many of us have a variety of resolutions that we’d like to stay true to. Today, in fact, I went as far as to make a list of about 25 goals for 2011. One of the highest priority goals on my list? Make more time for myself.
This may sound selfish, but I don’t see it like that at all. I work full time, blog full time, have a husband to pay attention to, dinners to cook, and a house to clean. Not to mention family I like to spend time with! Free time? It’s pretty much unheard of around here. I’m sure many of your lives are quite the same.
Life needs to be balanced, and I am working on balance in 2011. It is not a selfish thing to want a little time to yourself each day or week. Everybody needs it in order to re-charge, re-energize, and feel refreshed and ready to face life once again! In a world where most people work themselves ragged and take one vacation a year, we’re all very. very. TIRED. I propose that the more beneficial thing to do (and more frugal) is to simply take a few moments each day, week, or month.
Here are a few ideas that I find very therapeutic and helpful:
1. Soak up the sunshine. Get outside! Go to the park. Take a walk on the beach, splash your feet in the waves, throw your head back and laugh a little. It could even be as simple as walking out your back door once a day. Sunshine is so good for the soul.
2. Read a book. Ah the comfort of a good book! Nothing relaxes the mind more than venturing away to a fictional place. It helps us take a little break from reality. The beauty of books? They can take us anywhere and don’t even have to cost a penny (think library)!
3. Pray. God knows our hearts better than we know ourselves. That overwhelming love and peace that passes all understanding? Definitely a MUST in this world of rush rush rush.
4. Sip a cup of coffee or tea. Just take a moment to drink in a nice hot beverage. Take a deep breath. Clear your mind.
5. Indulge in a bubble bath or a long hot shower. I hate to admit that my shower is usually the first thing to go when I’m short on time. Take a few extra minutes to enjoy that luxury of hot water that you’re blessed with. So many people don’t even have running water in the world. Be thankful for the every day luxuries we take for granted. A little perspective is always helpful.
6. Turn off the technology. For just one day. I dare you. It’s amazing what peace and quiet will do for a racing mind and busy heart.
7. Go to the bookstore, library, or cafe. Evaluate your life, priorities, and goals.
8. Write in a journal. Get the stress out on paper.
9. Take a drive. With the windows down. Feel the breeze, and let your hair down a little. Be carefree for once.
10. Don’t fight the nap. Feeling completely worn out and exhausted? Find a way to get an hour nap in this week.
Other ideas might be to paint your nails, cook for yourself, spend a long time getting ready, light some candles, turn on some music. The sky is the limit! In 2011 let’s all try to take a little more time for ourselves…
Meagan is the author of the blog Frugal Fun & Fortune, where she writes about saving money, giving to others, delicious Vegetarian recipes, simple living, and her life adventures. Her greatest passions include chasing after God wholeheartedly, social justice, being a good wife to her sweet hub, books, and music. Visit her blog to have FUN while saving money!
*Photo Credit: Kat
Laura F says
Thanks so much! I sure needed that reminder! <3
Tracy says
Just an FYI–the link you have to her blog took me to a different blog.
Great reminders. Thanks for posting!
Shannon says
Thanks, Tracy. I just fixed the links.