How To Make Time For Yourself*

Do you every feel that everything goes too fast? That you’ve got not time to catch your breath? Breakfast, work, lunch, work, dinner, maybe some more work. Or at least, some more screen time. Be reassured, you are not alone in this situation. Millennials and other generations as well. We are always so busy, with so much going on, running around like headless chickens. And very often we forget to unwind. Which is why you need to take some serious steps to make time for yourself.

If you never take a break, never slow down, you will burn out. Being overwhelmed will only worsen everything else in your life. It can only lead to frustration and decreased motivation. Sometimes, making time for yourself, just a little bit of time, slowing down just a tiny teeny bit might make a big change. 

And sometimes it starts with aspects of our lives we do not suspect, that go beyond decreasing your screen time! So, without further ado, let’s start this!

1. Split chores equally

We live in a world where society still associates house chores with women. Even today, in the UK, the split is unequal. It is improving though. Indeed, men take on more house work. However, it is still not enough: 85% women, 49% men. Even in households with a good house chore split, the mental charge very viciously still pushes women to do more. What is the mental charge? It is the cognitive and invisible duty that represents the organisation of anything house chore related.

The mental charge can add a lot of work. Especially when it comes to small insignificant tasks seen as harmless (i.e. picking up a sock on the ground).  Added to one another they become quite significant. How to solve this? By establishing ground rules and educating.

If your partner sees something on the floor, he should pick it up instead of waiting for you to do it. He should stop saying “you did not ask” or “you did not tell me” even though you very clearly need help. And even if you don’t. He should take the initiative. House chores should be split equally between partners, big and small tasks alike. That’s how you will have much more time for yourself. Because one tiny minute here and there will make an hour, then two, then three and ultimately, the time you needed to relax.

2. Make working ends with your work day

This is something millennials tend to have issues with. Myself being first on the list. We do not know how to switch off. Our generation grew up between having barely any internet to having it all at once. I had my first mobile phone at 15, my first blackberry at 20 and my first smartphone at 23. The thing is with novelty, is that you want to enjoy it without having an indigestion. We had to learn how to find a balance between on and off screen time.

Especially, because we use our phones for work. Sometimes even our own laptops. Our email box is link to our phone. Thus, public and private lives blur. Even more so if, like me you work in social media and you check out your work’s social account “just to make sure”. So yes, it is a tough one. It is something you need to learn however.

Force yourself to stop working when your work day ends. I am not saying ignore everything, no, especially if your job description requires a bit of attention at the weekend. I am just saying that you do not have to check your work email on your phone after you leave the office or at the weekend. If you are at home, there is nothing you can do anyway. You will have to wait the next day when you are back at your desk. So turn off your notifications and make some time for yourself. If you are relax, have a good night sleep and are in good shape, you will be more productive the next day!

3. Stop procrastinating

Another tough one that caused me quite a few trouble! Procrastination gets the best of you. When it gets in the way, it is very hard to get rid off. It is a vicious circle. You want to do this tomorrow, then the day after and on and on. In the end, you do not do what you were meant to do. And you do not anything else.

That is the problem with procrastination. What do we do when we procrastinate and try to avoid our problems? We scroll Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. We check out websites, send memes to friends, spend money we don’t have. But most of all, we waste precious time and we tend to regret it afterwards.

Thus, stop procrastinating and do the work! Chances are, it will only take a few moments. The satisfaction you’ll get once the chore is done, however, will be worth it. The good things is with doing your chores is that you usually do not stop there and tend to do more at once. When it is all done, you’ve finally got time on your hands and you can enjoy, unwind, relax!

4. Switch off all those screens

This tips ties in nicely with the second tip I gave just above. Switching off work is one thing, but keeping your eyes stuck on your phone, tablet or laptop will not help. You need to turn off all screens so that the temptation to check them out isn’t there.

As mentioned in a previous post, social media has an extremely high opportunity cost. It is chronophage. Sometimes it can be a waste of time. Especially if you scroll aimlessly. Again, I am not suggesting that you stop using social media. Absolutely not. Just merely recommending that you rethink your consumption or set a time after which you will not touch your phone.

I turn off my laptop around 10pm, put my phone on silent mode while it charges for the night and grab a book. First of all, your body will get rid off all the adrenaline that looking at screens produces. It will put you in the right state to sleep. As a result, you will fall asleep more easily and your sleep quality will improve. Second of all, you will have a good time relaxing and reading a good book. Or drawing, sketching, writing, etc.

5. Book an experience

What do you do when you’ve got a lot on your plate? When you are stressed about work? Or about something else? You tend to focus on that and avoid doing other things. Something I learnt with experience is that there is no need to stress about something you have no control over. But that is what we often do. So, yes, easier said than done.

When you are stressed, our mind focuses one that one thing and it is like everything else disappeared. Not so great if you want my opinion, to have only stress in your life. And I know how hard it is to distract your mind from that. One solution however, is to book an experience. Like maybe a spa weekend in Cheshire. 

Once it is booked and paid for, you have to go. You have to force yourself to get your mind of whatever was stressing you out. And a spa weekend is the perfect way to achieve that. They are the most relaxing: pampering, well-being and taking time for yourself. A good massage an do wonders and lift all the pressure off you, I can guarantee! Sometimes you need to force yourself to do and think about something else. It acts as a little break. Coming back refreshed, relaxed, rested, you might see things from another angle and finally find a solution to the problem that was haunting you.

That’s why making time for yourself is so important. Beyond giving you the opportunity to rest, relax and unwind, it also helps you clear your mind, step back and see things from another angle. Even if it is hard to make time for yourself, it is essential and can be beneficial for yourself and everyone around you as well!

Shop my outfit
White jumper – I Saw It First**
Green Midi Skirt – Primark (similar here)
Snake Print Sandals – Shein**
Cross-body Bag – Zaful** (similar here)

How do you think? Are those tips helpful? What steps do you take to make time for yourself? How often do you make time for yourself?

Thanks a lot for stopping by. Hope you liked this post.

See you soon,
Love,
Corinne.

*This post is sponsored
**Gifted items