Words: James CORBYN, Jr
How often do you have me-time? Practice shows it is vital to spend time alone regularly. Having me-time several times a week boosts your productivity, inspires, and simply recharges your energy and motivation.
Make Time For Me-Time: Who Needs It & How To Spend It
In a world where we juggle work, studies, and family on a daily basis, it seems nearly impossible to find time for ourselves. We often push me-time to tomorrow, but this ‘tomorrow’ never happens. Knowing why, how, and when to spend me-time is essential for our mental and physical well-being.
Making time for yourself boosts your self-confidence and relieves stress. It positively impacts relationships with others and, more importantly, yourself.
We discuss, in this piece, the benefits of me-time and the risks you might face if you ignore it. For further reading on this and other topics, check our free college essays that have already helped thousands of students.
What Is Me-Time & Who Needs It
Me-time is the time a person takes for personal enjoyment, relaxing practices, or other activities they enjoy. Women’s magazines popularised the term as a break women need to rest from parenting, work, household chores, etc. However, today me-time is considered vital for everyone who cares about their own welfare.
Having me-time means being present with your mind and body to recharge your batteries. You can spend it in various ways, depending on what gives you energy. Some people choose to have a bath, read a book, or binge-watch Netflix, while others go for a walk, or do yoga. As long as you’re alone with your thoughts, you’re successfully undertaking me-time.
Who Needs Me-Time?
Me-time is essential for everyone who wants their mind and body to function optimally. If you experience stress, emotional burnout, or migraines, your body might be telling you that you need some rest.
Consider these symptoms as signs that you need to schedule some me-time:
- Nothing sounds enjoyable anymore. If you find yourself constantly bored, or procrastinating, this might indicate that you need to recharge emotionally
- You regularly experience headaches and insomnia. These physical conditions might also mean that you’re under too much pressure and need rest
- You can’t stop eating. Some people are emotional eaters, craving all the snacks in the house without actually being hungry
- You feel overwhelmed by little things. If a minor inconvenience makes you feel emotionally paralysed, it may indicate that you have too much to deal with and no energy left.
What Happens If You Don’t Take Me-Time?
Not getting enough time alone can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. In addition:
- People who don’t prioritise me-time are easily frustrated and have less control over their reactions
- People who lack time alone have a greater chance of getting into unhealthy relationships
- Not enough me-time can lead to insomnia, panic attacks, and even depression
- Not having me-time can negatively affect studies, or work, since being under constant pressure decreases productivity
- Without me-time, it is impossible to maintain work-life balance
- People who don’t spend time alone often have trouble with self-esteem and overestimate the responsibilities they can handle.
Biggest Myths About Me-Time
Me-time is a hot topic. There is no surprise that various myths surround this self-care practice. Let’s uncover the most common misconceptions.
Me-Time = A Day At The Spa
The truth about me-time is that you need to focus on things you enjoy. For some people spending a day at the spa, or shopping centre, can be a form of self-care. For others, me-time means a few minutes of deep breathing. As long as me-time helps you connect with your mind and body, it doesn’t matter what activity you undertake. Remember that there is no wrong way to take care of yourself, and me-time is about mindfulness and enjoyment.
Me-Time Is Expensive
Social media has pushed the wrong idea that me-time requires a lot of money. In reality, many free things can help you be present in the moment. Walking to your favourite music, sitting with your pets, or slowly sipping tea while reading a book are cost-free self-care activities. Suppose you’re willing to spend some money on your me-time. In that case, you can always take yourself on a date to the cinema, or café. However, even the most minor things can significantly improve your well-being, if you are present in the moment.
It Is Always Fun
It is essential to address that me-time is not always about having fun. Sometimes, things that bring us a sense of comfort can be challenging in the process. For example, a therapy session may make you reflect on your life’s hard times and eventually contribute to personal growth. During me-time, you need to be mindful of your chosen activities and remember that sometimes healing requires courage.
Me-Time Is For Women
Me-time practice is not bound to one specific group. Everybody deserves to be the best version of themselves, regardless of gender, race, or age. It is essential to recognise that me-time looks different for each person, depending on their hobbies and values. What works for one person may not work for you. Consequently, people shouldn’t compare their me-time habits, or assign self-care, to a specific gender. The goal is to find something that will fill your soul and improve your well-being.
Rules For Organising Me-Time
Recognising the importance of me-time is the first step. Now, you need to learn how to organise it.
Make A Schedule
- Try planning some me-time and prioritise it in the same way you prioritise work and family responsibilities. It is better to take small regular steps in the right direction
- Quality > quantity. If you want to spend your me-time productively, it’s crucial to stay mindful of the activities you take on. If you don’t take them seriously, it won’t increase your efficiency
- Don’t feel guilty about not spending time at work, or with your family. Having some-time for yourself is vital for happier relationships and greater productivity
- Practice regularly. To make me-time an essential part of your routine, you must do it regularly. Start by slowly introducing me-time activities more than once a week
- Remember why it matters. Notice how me-time is giving you space and strength to grow over time. Remember not to underestimate me-time if you want to reach success in love, work, and self-realisation.
Me-Time Ideas
You’re the one to decide how you want to spend this time. Here are simple, handy ideas to get you started —
At Home
- Write in your journal
- Clean out your closet
- Do collages
- Paint
- Watch a documentary
- Do some yoga
- Bake a cake
- Cook something new
- Birdwatch from your window
- Write a letter to your future self
- Try on new outfits
- Rearrange your furniture
- Share your secrets with a pet
- Try affirmations
- Light your favourite candle
- Practice a foreign language
- Start a new hobby
- Meditate
- Take a relaxing shower
- Colour or doodle
- Practice breathing
- Have a tea ceremony
- Listen to a podcast
- Start a blog
- Write a list of things you’re grateful for
- Learn how to make a budget and keep track of your money
- Learn the basics of Photoshop, or other programmes
- Write some poetry
- Watch a motivational Ted Talk
- Make a wish list
- Change your sheets
- Clean up your social media accounts
- Do some online shopping
- Listen to your favourite music album.
Outside
- Visit a local book store
- Go thrifting
- Check out a museum, or gallery
- Walk around the neighbourhood
- Try gardening
- Try to work out outdoors
- Take yourself out for lunch
- Go for a hike
- Discover a new café
- Go swimming
- Shop for décor for your room
- Volunteer
- Visit your local animal shelter
- Book a night at a hotel outside town
- Take some photos of nature
- Go for a drive
- Buy yourself flowers
- Do some stretching outside
- Go stargazing
- Have a spa day
- Sit in the sunlight
- Sing some karaoke
- Go wine tasting
- Try a new workout class
- Go to a comedy show
- Do a random act of kindness.
Tips + Conclusion
When it comes to me-time, we want you to remember the following:
- If you experience stress and anxiety and feel like there is no[thing] fun in your life, it might be a sign that you need some me-time
- Always schedule your me-time, and don’t feel guilty about taking some time for yourself. It will make you happier and positively influence other spheres of your life
- Remember that me-time is something everybody deserves and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Even minor things can help recharge your internal batteries.
By prioritising yourself and committing to me-time, you can achieve greater clarity, also calm, and derive greater enjoyment from life. Check with yourself daily, if your needs are fulfilled, and refer to our me-time ideas list. Finally, permit yourself to choose YOU — for a few moments every day.
