Do we put aside time for ourselves?

In amongst all our "busy-ness" - whether we're a student, a wife or partner, a mother, responsible for aging relatives or a business woman, do we ever put aside (intentionally) a little bit of time for ourselves?

I've got to admit here and now that I've been guilty of not addressing my own personal "time-out" needs on too many occasions. There's always been reasons, and all those reasons are justifiable. As I grow older though, I have come to the realisation (yes, I'm a "late bloomer"!) that I should have taken time-out for myself many times. A person can burn out, I know. I've read a lot about it, and I've even spoken about it to groups of women and within short courses. But we don't always do what we should do, do we? Or practice what we preach.

This morning it's a "public holiday" here in this state. I've got heaps of work to get done not to mention the laundry, changing the bedlinen, tidying up the kitchen, taking all the weekend newspapers out of the lounge room, making phone calls, getting my computer work done, including my blog, and there are a hundred or more small jobs that I have to do!

But I'm taking "time-out" - I've got myself a small platter of fruit cut up nicely which is sitting in the frig ready for me to call upon it when I feel hungry, and a carafe of chilled water and a glass on the coffee table at my side. And I have chosen three books that I've been wanting to read for simply ages. If I feel like continuing with just the one book then I'll do so.

This is "MY time". If anyone rings, the answering machine is switched on. If anyone comes to the door, then sorry, they can leave a message. They'd have to do this if I were out, so I'm not being selfish.

And that brings to mind something many of us have difficulty with. If we take time to meet our own needs, too many of us feel guilty. There's always someone who wants something; there's always something to be done.

Don't allow your thoughts to concentrate on those factors. Give yourself a break. Take an hour or so and relax. Let your thoughts and your mind and your body have a rest. This will benefit you and in turn benefit others in the long run. Do something you like, even painting your toenails.

My choice, today, is reading.

Talk to you later!