Do you have “Me Time”? If you don’t, you should!
When we look at all the things that could possibly get in the way of maintaining a consistent self-care routine, one of the most common reasons why people don’t follow through with their self-care goals is because of the challenges that come from managing busy schedules.
How many times have you felt there just wasn’t enough time in the day to get your top priorities ticked off your to-do list? Well, imagine adding self-care to the mix if it hasn’t been something you’ve integrated as part of your everyday lifestyle.
If you’re in the early stages of finding a self-care routine that works for you or if you’ve been practicing it regularly, it’s not always easy keeping up with a self-care regimen no matter how strong your intentions may be. That’s why it’s key to start by reframing how you view self-care and finding self-care tips that will show you how to prioritize yourself.
Rather than viewing self-care as something that can get done after everything else on your list is out of the way, try viewing it as something that needs to be completed just like any of your work tasks or household responsibilities.
Scheduling time for self-care may sound basic, but it’s an effective hack that can help you begin to build the consistency needed to help you prioritize your self-care and ultimately shape your routine into a long-term practice. Here are 3 steps to help you execute this self-care hack just in time for the summer season!
1. Take time to create a list of self-care activities that you enjoy.
If you’re new to the realm of self-care, start by picking one activity that you can do once during the week until you reach the level of practising self-care daily by doing at least one self-care activity each day. Remember, self-care doesn’t have to look like what everyone else is doing or what’s trending, it’s essentially what makes you feel good, rested, or rejuvenated.
2. Determine how long it will take to begin and complete each self-care activity that you’ve listed.
Some of the activities you plan to do may take time to prep, complete, or wind down, so you want to make sure you’re giving yourself enough time to eliminate the feeling of overwhelm or disorganization.
For example, if you plan on driving up to the lake to go sightseeing and adventure along a nearby trail, factor in how long the commute to the lake will take; note if there’s a preferable route or departure time to get to your destination; find the trail you plan to venture on and plan your route on Google Maps to track how long your walk will take.
Don’t forget to make a note of the time you’ll need for rest breaks and photos if you come across any captivating views!
3. Review your weekly schedule to set a time that’s optimal for you to engage in your chosen self-care activity.
Once you’ve created your list, picked what you’d like to do for the week, and estimated how long you think it will take to carry out that activity, you can begin scheduling it into your agenda. Remember, this time is non-negotiable!
Choose a time that you know you won’t be distracted or preoccupied with work or other tasks. Also, be mindful of picking a day and time that you know you’re able to show up fully present and with the level of energy needed for you to get the most out of your self-care/wellness experience.
Now that you’ve figured out the best time, plug it into your schedule and set as many notifications as you need to be reminded. If it’s helpful, find a trusted accountability partner to check in with before or after your scheduled self-care session.
BONUS:
Once you’ve managed to follow through for a month consistently with the three steps listed and have found a self-care routine that suits your lifestyle and wellness goals, you can take it to the next level by mapping out your self-care activities for the month. This allows you to have an overview of the month ahead and determine if you need to make any adjustments to your routine in advance.
Keep in mind that although you’ve already scheduled your activities for the month, your self-care routine shouldn’t feel rigid. Allow yourself room to be flexible and adjust your routine so that your “me time” is enjoyable and not burdensome.
Let me know if you plan on incorporating this self-care hack and if you know a few others that help you stick to a consistent routine, please feel free to share them in the comments!
