Making Time for Yourself
When life gets busy, it’s so important to make time for yourself. In a world full of noise, conflict, and heartache, I’ve found myself wanting those quiet moments alone more and more.
And while the time by myself is good for reflecting, I also have found meals or activities with friends or family is an important factor in making time for myself. Time for me to do what makes me happy. Time for me to spend fun evenings out with loved ones. Time for me to appreciate all the good in the world.
It’s easy enough to let the darkness overwhelm us. To make us afraid. To make us question why there is so much pain in the world. But, in these quiet moments, I’ve come to realize that there is always something to be grateful for at the end of the day.
Below is a list of some of the things I’ve personally found help me keep life in perspective. I’m sharing them in the hopes that others will find them helpful too and if you have other ideas, share them in the comments!
Five Ways to De-stress and Unwind:
1.) Coffee Dates with Friends–always a favorite way to catch up with friends to talk about life, hopes, dreams, stress, and plans for the future. I’m lucky enough to be blessed with friends I can talk with for hours over a cup of coffee. And the best part, my mood instantly improves each time I get to spend time with them!
2.) Find a Quiet Place to Read–this one is so important. Reading allows us to go into a different place and time just for a little bit. The escape into your favorite novel or biography you’ve been waiting to read can really lift up your mood. Reading also gives you the opportunity to sit and be still for awhile which is very refreshing in the hustle and bustle of every day life.
3.) Write in a Journal–like sitting off by yourself and reading, keeping a journal is a great way to spend time alone. Writing about what scares you, reflecting on what you’re grateful for, or just writing about your day to clear your mind can help makes sense of all the thoughts bouncing around in your head. Sometimes journal entries can be stream of consciousness or you can choose writing prompts you’re interested in to help guide your journal entries.
4.) Go for a Walk or Workout at the Gym–some kind of physical activity can really help lift your mood. Taking a walk gives you time to reflect and spend time with your inner most thoughts. If it’s a walk outside, the fresh air can also help clear your mind. Working out at the gym gives your mind a break while your body works out frustrations or stress. Listening to music at the gym usually helps me be present in the moment to let the rest of my day fade to the background for a little while.
5.) Cook a Meal and Share it with Family, Friends, or Both!–cooking and baking are two of my favorite ways to de-stress. I like working with my hands after being inside my head all day at work. Sharing the meal with others will also give you the opportunity to have a relaxing evening with genuine human connection which sounds a lot better than spending more time in front of the T.V. or computer.
I think it’s key to balance activities alone and with others. And if you need more ideas on how to relax or make time for yourself, take a candle-lit bath, give painting a try, plan a nice meal out, or do dinner and a show. Or, another personal favorite pick-me-up is fresh flowers for my desk at work or to brighten up my room at home. There are so many ways to let a little extra light shine through, we just have to find out what we connect with the most and make a conscious effort to always look for the good.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” ~Serenity Prayer
“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.” ~Dumbledore
