Every person needs ‘me’ time,
but trying to find it in a busy day is not always easy.
Consider the following tips for
finding the true 'me' in 'you':
Do not try to be everything to
everyone.
It is never possible to be
everything to everyone, regardless of how much you want to do so or how hard
you try. You do not have to be everything to anyone in particular, either. If
you are true to yourself first, in other words true to the ‘me’ in you and
place yourself first, you will be more able to be what you have to be for
others. For example, a caregiver has to take care of him or herself in order to
be able to care for others properly.
Begin by being ‘you’.
Your family, friends and others
love you for who you are, not what you do for them, so being ‘you’ or ‘me’ in
yourself, is important. No one really wants you to be someone other than who
you are. Try saying no. Recognizing the real reason why they love you, family
members and friends will begin to see you as the person who you really are, not
as their servant, the one who tries to do everything for them or to be
everything to them. For example, a daughter thinks her mother should be
responsible for taking care of her clothes, but there is a time when she has to
learn how to do it herself. Allowing her daughter to take responsibility for
her clothes frees up ‘me’ time for her mother.
Love yourself.
You are exactly as God created
you. Since He loves you, He wants you to love your self. When you love and
accept yourself exactly as you are, you will not fret about trying to do
everything for everyone else to gain attention, affection or love. You do not
need the attention, affection or love of others, particularly if it is going to
be detrimental to your health and well being. There are times when you can and
should walk away. Immediately, that will free up some of your ‘me’ time to be
yourself.
Take a good look in the mirror.
Do you like the ‘me’ that gazes
back at you? Does it appear to be harried, frustrated, angry or anxious? Is
this the true you? If it is, you may be able to recognize your own need for
‘me’ time and remind yourself that you need it. How you look often reflects the
‘me’ in you. Plan to make some serious changes, even if it entails creating a
schedule to do so. For example, a young mother who is breastfeeding an infant
needs to have her haired trimmed. The constant demands of the baby do not allow
her any ‘me’ time. Looking in the mirror at herself, she recognizes her need for
‘me’ time and calls for an appointment. Her infant can stay with a family
member or babysitter for short periods of time between feedings.
Do what you are interested in
doing.
Everyone has things that he or
she wants to do at different times. Finding the ‘me’ time to do them may mean
creating a schedule that allows time for them. For example, an elderly woman
taking care of her sick husband needs ‘me’ time to get out of the house and go
golfing, on a regular basis. In order to do so, finding another caregiver who
can help her may be necessary. The caregiver can help set up a schedule
that works for both of them.
Set priorities.
To find ‘me’ time, establishing
priorities has to become a priority. Determining priorities, frees up ‘me’
time. For example, to enable a teenager's parents to spend quality time
together, there are many things like cutting the grass, washing the car and
doing dishes. that a teenager can do. Perhaps hiring a neighborhood teenager is
appropriate. Postponing a few things for later or for another day is a viable
option when children are too young to help.
Relax
Even on a busy workday with a
hectic schedule, there can be ‘me’ time moments. Taking five’ is a good rule of
thumb. For example, an office worker takes five minutes to sit down and have a
cup of tea after work, before starting supper. This allows her ‘me’ time to
release stress and relax. Taking ‘me’ time later in the evening, allows her to
sort out the events of the day and make plans for the next one. ‘Me’ time might
be spent reading.
Exercise
Exercise is an excellent time
to have ‘me’ time, even when it involves including others in a special program
of some kind. For example, a mother with a small child may go to a pool
where they can play, exercise and relax in the water together. She has her
moment of ‘me’ time, but still cares for her child properly, while she
exercises.
Be kind to the ‘me’ in you.
Most people who are kind to
others, are not necessarily kind to themselves, as they tend to push themselves
to the limit in order to do things to please others. For example, a young man
who works in his father’s office wants to please his father. He ignores the
‘me’ in himself, putting himself under unnecessary stress. Talking to his
father about his own needs may allow the ‘me’ in him, to come to a point where
he is able to enjoy working with his father.
Have a positive attitude about
‘me’.
Maintaining a positive attitude
about ‘me’ in 'you' is important, as negativity can turn into hopelessness,
give a sense of helplessness and lead to depression. Look at the ‘me’ in
yourself as being someone of value, merit and worth. For example, a teenage
girl heads into depression because she does not see herself as a person of
worth in the eyes of her employer. He is too busy to give her any attention. At
the same time, others see her as a valuable employee. It takes ‘me’ time with a
friend to find out that she is highly regarded. Feedback from friends is always
important.
Following these ten tips
will lead you into a better understanding and appreciation of the ‘me’ that you know is the
true you.
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