Issue 7 July 2006

Sanity Saver #9: Make Time Just for You

Ladies, here’s the sad truth. Many women feel that time for themselves is stolen time in which they are playing hokey from more important endeavors! We often feel as though we have to get sick in order to take time for ourselves. Actually scheduling self-nurturing activities is a way to trick your guilt demons. When you schedule personal time for yourself you make it legitimate.

Here are some statistics I found shocking. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, the average vacation in 1997 was 7.1 days. In 2001, it was down to 4.1 days. Even more alarming, the Families and Work Institute reports that more than one fourth of all American employees didn’t even use their vacation time. Don’t let yourself become a statistic.

At the very least, take a mini-vacation. We all need a break from our busy lives. I know, there’s so much to do, you couldn’t possibly take time just for yourself. But let me put things in perspective. There is very little in life that requires your immediate attention. You may think that it does, but with rare exceptions, most things can wait until tomorrow. No one has ever died from wearing dirty socks, from leaving the bills for another day, or from not returning phone calls. In other words, take time for yourself. You need it and more importantly you deserve it.

The reality is that your health and well-being may be in jeopardy if you’re neglecting yourself. If you’re running on empty you’re not doing anyone any good, least of all yourself. You may be going through the motions of living, but sleep walking through your life doesn’t exactly qualify as living a life you love.

It’s time to wake up to the fact that no one is going to do it for you. You have to assume full responsibility for your own self-care and fulfillment. You have to start to treat yourself better. It’s up to you. You have nothing to lose from starting to take care of yourself and everything to gain. Whatever it is that will nurture you, make a commitment and carve out the time to pamper yourself. Sure it will feel awkward at first, everything new does, but stick with it and before long I guarantee that you’ll be fanatically protective of your alone time.

For more information on 30 Days to Sanity please visit www.30daystosanity.com.