Finding Opportunities for Me-Time

What does "me time" look like for you? 

I got asked recently how I make time for myself and when I do, what that me-time looks like. 

And as someone who loves to get a glimpse into other people's lives I thought I would share all of the things I did in the last week that fall into the category of me-time. 

If you've ever been curious about how I do it, keep reading.

But before I give you the behind-the-scenes look, I have to say that the number of examples I included has greatly expanded in the last year. And I realized that's because my definition has changed. It's actually broadened. 

Here's what I mean...

To me there's a difference between wanting space and wanting me-time. 

Space is needing to be alone; needing a break. 

Me-time is wanting to do something that I enjoy; something that's for me. 

Sometimes the two overlap and sometimes they don't.

Sometimes me-time is doing something I enjoy by myself and sometimes it's doing it with others or in the presence of others.

But ultimately it's about doing something that I enjoy or that takes care of me. 

So really, it comes down to knowing what you need.

Do you need to do something for you, to take care of you AND does that something need to be done by yourself because what you truly need is space? 

What I have found is if you're open to incorporating things that you enjoy into everyday life, you'll probably find that you have more opportunity for me-time than you realize. 

My Me-Time Log from the last 7 days:

With others

  • 20-min online yoga class in the living room while my toddler climbed on me

  • Journaled at the table while my kids ate their breakfast

  • Listened to an audiobook in the laundry room while I folded clothes

  • Planned my day in my Monk Manual while the kids watch a show before school

  • Knitted on the couch with the kids playing all around me (and yes, interrupting me)

  • Played the piano while my husband cleaned up from dinner and the kids played


Alone

  • 20-min at-home spin class at 6am before my youngest woke up

  • Epsom salt bath at 9pm after the kids were asleep

  • Read every night before I fell asleep

  • Acupuncture appointment during my lunch break

  • 15 minute walk during the afternoon for a brain break


I'm really happy with that list. Do I wish I could fit more consistent workouts into my weeks? Yes! Do I want to have a regular date night or girls night out for a break from bedtime parenting? Hell yes. But I'm also doing lots of things throughout my weeks that are FOR me and that is huge. I don't wait for the rare moments when I am alone to do something that I enjoy. As I hope you see, there's a lot that I do with my kids around and I never feel like I'm ignoring them. I'm available to them and I'm willing to be interrupted, but at the same time I'm showing them what it looks like to do the things that I want to do.

What is it that you need - me-time or space? And how will you get it?