“Me Time” Isn’t Selfish; It’s Necessary!
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You can’t pour from an empty vessel.” It means that if you pour all your energy into supporting everyone else, you’ll eventually end up empty and unable to support anyone, not even yourself. You must take some “me time” periodically so that you can rest, refuel, and recharge.
If you’re reading this, it could be that, on some level, you already know you need more me time. You know your plate is too full and you need relief. Good for you for recognizing that you need some help. Now let’s talk about why you’ve not given yourself permission for more me time yet.
What’s Preventing You From Taking More Me Time in Your Life?
Maybe you give all your time and attention to your family. On the surface, that would make it seem like you’re a really nice person. You probably are. But, is walking through life stressed to the max because you’re wearing yourself out every day really the best strategy for you and your family? If you’re constantly running yourself ragged for everyone else, how long do you think it’ll be until your batteries run out?
Maybe you distribute your time among family, friends, work, community endeavors, and church, … and just about everything else. One by one, it doesn’t seem like much, but when you add it all up, your plate is overflowing (and not in a good way!)
You want to live a full and rich life, and so you don’t want to give anything up. That’s great until your health starts to suffer because you’re burning the candle at both ends. It’s great to be generous with your time and attention, but when you don’t take time to give yourself some tender loving care, you simply wear out.
Me Time Radically Improves the “You” that You Share with the World
Me time isn’t selfish; it’s mandatory. You need rest and relaxation in your life. You need time to recharge and rejuvenate. You need time for yourself.
Here’s the truth about me time: the more often you take time to fill “your vessel,” the more you’ll have to give to others. Me time isn’t selfish; it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself and for the people you care most about in your life. It’s your chance to recharge your batteries. It’s a way of adding happiness and peace in your heart, so you have plenty of peace and happiness leftover to share with the world around you.
Finding time in a busy schedule for self-care isn’t always easy. I get it. Many of the responsibilities on your plate demand your time and attention. Plus, there are a lot of things you do each day that aren’t optional; they simply must be done.
Still, there are 168 hours in the week. Don’t tell me you can’t find two hours in those 168 for some quality you time. Be honest with yourself; you can make the time for a few hours just for you. You just need to make it a priority.
Two hours of me time each week is a great place to start. In fact, just two hours can work miracles.
Not sure where to begin? Check out these affordable self-care ideas that will help you reduce and relieve stress and fill yourself back up.
8 Self-Care Activities & Me Time Ideas
1. Set your creativity free!
People encourage children to express themselves through artistic endeavors, but as adults, we don’t often take the time to meander down those creative paths that once brought us joy. There are so many artistic outlets you can explore: painting, sculpting, drawing, knitting, crocheting, or even just picking up some crayons and playing with shading in an adult coloring book. Not only will you get some much-needed “me time”, but you may also even end up with a piece of art for your efforts. .
Ever wanted to watercolor? Check out this beginner’s kit.
Learn to crochet with this affordable kit
Unleash your creativity with this complete multi-media artist kit
2. Pick up a book for pure pleasure
When is the last time you remember reading a book just because you wanted to? Even if you’re no longer in school, you may find yourself reading out of mere obligation, whether that’s for a book club or just because you want to keep up with what’s popular. Pick out a book that speaks to you. Whether you revisit an old favorite or pick up a new work from an author you enjoy, just make sure you’re making your reading time into pure “me time” by picking something you truly want to devour.
3. Create a “me time” YouTube playlist
Watching inspirational videos on YouTube is actually a great way to process any emotions you’ve been having a hard time dealing with. Stockpile videos that you find inspirational and save them for a time when you can relax and binge-watch them. Videos could be puppies, babies, inspirational stories, or amazing singers from talent contests around the world; choose videos that make you laugh or warm your heart. As a bonus, shedding a few happy tears can even help reduce the stress that you may have been bottling up.
4. Practice yoga or tai chi
Exercise is a great go-to for self care, but not everyone is ready to tackle a Crossfit routine. Some of us need exercises that are slower and gentler so we don’t push our already overworked bodies to the brink. Tai chi and yoga are both slow, methodical, gentle exercises that are as much about mindfulness as they are about movement. And while they may seem trendy, they are actually ancient practices with a demonstrated benefit over thousands of years of relieving stress.
Get started with Yoga with this complete kit.
Give Tai Chi a try. It’s great for stress reduction and improved flexibility.
5. Scrapbook & spend time with happy memories
Sometimes the best way to decompress is by revisiting happy times through scrapbooking. You can organize old photos into physical scrapbooks, or go modern and use free layout software like PicMonkey or Canva to organize digital photos into digital scrapbooks. Spending some alone time with your memories will help you reduce stress, and will also provide you with a concrete reminder of how much you love the people in your life.
Scrapbook Classic Photo Album Storage Box
Gorgeous Vintage Leather Photo Album or DIY Scrapbook
Our Adventure Photo & Scrapbook Kit
6. Take a hike!
Reconnecting with nature is always a great way to unwind and decompress. Taking a long walk through nature can help you recenter yourself and can even release energizing endorphins to help you recharge. Depending on your fitness level, you can hike up a mountain or wander through a botanical garden. It’s also affordable self-care: a long walk in the park doesn’t cost a thing, and can actually give a great deal back to you in terms of patience and energy.
Stay hydrated on your hike with this BPA-free hydration backpack
Stay stable and injury-free with these handly and affordable TrailBuddy hiking poles (5 stars!)
7. Make sure your bath is the bomb
Taking a hot bath may be one of the oldest and most well-known ways to relieve stress. Take your relaxing bath to the next level by turning off the lights, lighting some candles, and adding bubbles and a bath bomb to augment your “me time”. The bath bomb you select can inform your experience.
A bath bomb scented with lavender or chamomile is relaxing and can help you unwind. Citrus-scented bath bombs will leave you feeling energized and refreshed. If you’ve been feeling under the weather, eucalyptus and peppermint can be beneficial. If you can’t afford bath bombs from high-end bath and body stores , make your own. Any extras you make will be great gifts for your loved ones, too!spearmint
Lavender bath bombs
Natural bath bombs gift set – 40 essential oil-infused bombs!
Eucalyptus and peppermint bath bomb
Luxurious organic bath bombs/ vegan beauty gift set
8. Polish up your day with a manicure
We do so much work with our hands: sometimes refreshing them is the perfect way to relieve stress. If you have the budget for it, go get a professional manicure and enjoy getting your hands soaked and massaged and your nails rejuvenated with some fun and fresh polish. Spas can be spendy, so if you need an affordable self-care spin on this activity by giving yourself a home manicure instead.
Sinful Colors nude nail polish collection
Complete home manicure kit
48-piece nail polish lacquers combo set
You Need Me Time. Everyone Does. Choose What Works Best for You!
The bottom line is that me time is important. It’s vital to your health and happiness. Whatever you choose to do in your me time is up to you. Choose from the list above, or pick something that’s calling to you that we didn’t mention. You deserve more me time in life. So, to borrow a few words from Nike, just do it!
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