It's Okay To Be Selfish!

Making time for yourself with a busy lifestyle is not being selfish, take your time. You earned it!

The Good Ole' Days

Remember when it seemed like you had all the time in world? Even with school, homework and sports, you were still able to invest in beauty routines, shop leisurely and tediously tidy your living area? Going to the library may have been a favorite past time. Sipping espresso at your favorite coffee shop was the norm. Attending festivals pumping with music made you feel alive.

The Inevitable Shift

For many individuals, as you get older these past times begin to fade away. Additional education, careers, marriage, children, etc. begin to fill your time, making it more difficult to invest in yourself becomes more difficult. Salon appointments have to be rescheduled, reading for pleasure falls to the side and the things that feed your soul become second place. While none of these changes are made purposefully, they happen gradually and often go unnoticed.

How to Make Time For Yourself

Once you realize that your desires and hobbies have been neglected, it's important to start repairing that relationship. Having a routine that is based around personal interests is beneficial for both metal health and physical health. While it is a common belief that is it essential for all individuals to feed their mind and soul, the concern is with how to attain that balance. It's not that we don't understand that need. The issue lies within fitting it into our schedule.

Make It a Priority

What do we do with things that have to be done? We don't just let them fall to the side. We set out a plan to get them accomplished. We understand the negative outcome of our actions, so we make sure that we have a plan and a set completion date. So, why don't we use the same strategy when it comes to taking care of our own self?

Don't Think of it as Selfish

Oftentimes, we see self-fulfilling hobbies and tasks as selfish. Taking care of your own self should never come in second. It is important to invest in your own metal health and physical health through activities that bring you joy and contentment. While you may be a wife, mom or sister, you are also an individual who needs to feed your mind, body and soul.

Revisit Your Favorite Activities

Did you love attending hot yoga classes in college? Did you find joy in submersing yourself in poetry in your youth? Do you find fulfillment in physically exhausting your body? Make a list of the activities that you used and enjoy and detail how those particular things made you feel. Relive the excitement and pure joy you got from participating in them.

Follow a Schedule

The world is a busy place, especially when others are dependent upon you. So often, we get caught up in this agenda that months, even years, go by before we realize that the things we once loved have slipped away. Once you decide on the activities that are worthy of your efforts, set aside time to partake in them. If you have to, make a specific schedule around your set activities. Similar to preparing for a job or taking kids to practice, set specific blocks of time aside for yourself. You can go as far as to schedule a class, let your partner know, plan takeout or get a babysitter. Whatever it takes to make your plans come to fruition, do it.

Commit to a Routine

Without commitment and accountability, it will be easy to let your new routine fall to the wayside after a few weeks or months. Ask a friend, teacher or significant other to hold you accountable to the activities and classes that bring you fulfillment and value. Sometimes you just need that extra push to stick to a new routine. A friend waiting on you at the gym or your spouse meeting you at a local park can be just the incentive you need to stay on track.

View it as a Personal Journey

Have you ever heard the saying that you can't fill the cups of others without first filling yours? How true is that? If you become depleted, how can you ever motivate or bring value to those around you? Sure, you are present, but you are not mentally or physically capable of completing the commitments you have made to others. Take care of yourself, so that you can be the best version of you possible.

You Are Only as Busy as You Allow

Many individuals claim that they are simply too busy to investment in themselves. Yet, we are the ones who set our own schedules, determine which activities to be involved in and manage our own commitments. It is okay to say "no" or limit your responsibilities. Too often we are simply afraid to disappointment others, and it is usually at our own expense. Don't get so busy pleasing other people that you let yourself down.

Take Back Control

So, what are you waiting for? Are you ready to live the life that was meant for you? Are you willing to do what it takes to love yourself again? Begin by exploring the activities that you wish you could add into your life and take up again. Set your commitment in place by scheduling these activities and paying for them in advance. Eliminate the elements that could get in your way, and notify your significant other of your intentions so they can help. Follow these baby steps, and you will be well on your way to a better "you." Just wait and see!