You know that feeling when you want to meditate because it makes you feel so much better after, less stress and more energy.
But you have a to do list a mile long, and you have a deadline looming. You can't meditate, you simply don't have time.
Sounds familiar?
How can you find time in your busy day to practice self care?
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Does it feel like self care is just another commitment to fit into an already full to bursting day, but then when you don't do it you feel guilty?
And as you get weighed down by more and more things to do your self care drops lower and lower on your list of priorities until it gets relegated, added to tomorrows list to just go through the whole process again.
Then, the inevitable guilt about not looking after yourself.
You're not alone. In our busy busy world it can feel like there isn't enough time to fit in all our commitments so self care takes a back seat.
I say rubbish!
No matter how busy you are, self care is your No. 1 priority. After all, if you get ill, everything stops so taking care of yourself makes practical sense. Therefore, YOU are the most important thing.
Self care is vital, so how DO you find time in your busy day for yourself?
So how DO you find time for self care in your week?
Self care to do list
A self care to do list is done the opposite way to a normal to do list. Most to do lists have jobs to be completed, and any time left over is your free time.
Let's turn it on it's head:
1. Reflect on what self care you want to achieve this week? For example, have you been putting off a dentist check up, a trip to the hairdressers, a daily walk, meditation, reading, exercise, coffee with a friend etc?
It doesn't have to be a lot of time, but aim to find 15-20 mins a day for you.
2. Enter these into your diary/to do list first. Because, you know, you are priority.
3. THEN fill in the rest in the times around it
See - simple!
Benefits
1. This method of planning your diary/to do list makes you think about what self care you need, and identifies how you can meet that need.
2. It puts your self care needs where they belong - as a priority in your life.
3. It focuses your work time - for example, if you know you're going to the dentist at 11am, then you have a deadline to work to which focuses the mind.
4. It reduces procrastination. Let's face it, we all do it - that sneaky look on Facebook, the browsing google under the guise of 'research'. We are more prone to procrastination when we DON'T block out time for self care because we feel stressed, bored, tired...
5. You'll feel good! It will totally improve your work/life balance, health, reduce stress, reduce burn out, give you energy and raise your self esteem.
And if you don't feel like going to the gym one day? Take a read of THIS.
So you see not only can you find time for self care, it has huge benefits for your work, health and happiness.
It's time to stop wishing you had more time, and commit to putting yourself first.
Take my FREE 21 day Self Care Challenge, designed to kick start you into prioritizing your wellbeing and starting a regular self care habit.
Written assuming you're busy and on a budget, it's simple, highly effective and fun!