The question then arises - is a well-balanced life just a dream or can we actually achieve it with all our work, commitments, to-do lists, must do activities, inside and out housekeeping chores, etc.? Every waking hour seems to be crammed full of important things to accomplish and we are bombarded with information that nearly overloads our senses. So what can we do about it?
Most people will respond to this questions with excuses! One excuse that comes to mind is that we are so tired from doing everything that we must or think we must do, that we don’t have the energy let alone the time for something special for ourselves. Another is, how can we be so selfish as to take this precious time and use it for self-gratification when there is so much else that we should do? Then when we do take some time to ourselves, we feel guilty, self-centred and selfish for doing so.
Why should we feel this way? Are we not important too? Isn’t our happiness important? Why do we spend all our time giving and doing for others, yet don’t do the same for ourselves? Does it ever occur to us that in not taking time out for ourselves we become unhappy, even grumpy, stressed out, anxious and even depressed?
So maybe it is time to make ourselves a priority! Maybe we need to re-arrange our schedule so that we can have 15 – 30 minutes a day on our own doing something that we love. Maybe, just maybe, we can actually be better more productive people if we firstly invest in ourselves. If we invest in ourselves and make ourselves happy, we pass this happiness on to others around us.
I once knew a single, working mum with four children, with the youngest still a baby. She really wanted to get back into horse riding and even had a horse, but there just wasn’t the time. A group of ladies discussed this with her giving her suggestions and advising her that if you want to do something you have to make time to do it. The next time I saw her she was glowing, happy and excited. One of the first things she said was, “I went horse riding and it was wonderful!” She had made the time for herself and was reaping the benefits.
To gain the most from whatever activity we choose to do in “our time” we first need to remove all distractions. This includes turning off all gadgets, radios, TVs, computers, phones (or at least put them on silent), etc. Now comes the hard part – you need to think up something constructive that you can do. It does not have to cost money, nor do you have to travel miles to do it. But, you must pick something that you like and makes you happy.
Some suggestions are: have a meaningful conversation with someone; watch clouds, trees or animals and notice the breeze as you go for a walk; do meditation; draw, colour or paint a picture – you don’t have to be good, just enjoy doing it; make a collage of pictures you like – whether from magazines or photos; sing to your heart’s content – with headphones on if you don’t like the sound of your own voice; do some gardening; or play with a pet.
Whatever you choose to do, don’t just idly sit and rest. Do something!
Until next time – remember, safety first!