4 steps to finding time for yourself : A wellness coach’s guide for women
As women we are all very efficient at managing to squeeze every ounce out of every minute when doing something for work, for a friend, for family but we are not very good at doing the same when it comes to something for us. We often put ourselves way down the pecking order and put everyone else before ourselves.
But, by giving less of yourself away, you will have more time for you. That isn’t selfish but self-preservation. If you don’t look after yourself you will fall short when helping others.
1) Let’s talk about how to assign some time for you in ways that will nurture your body and your mind.
Start your day right - Setting aside just a few minutes, preferably first thing in your day, just for yourself will set you up nicely.
Practice gratitude – for a couple of minutes at the start of each day, acknowledging three things you are grateful for.
Take 3 deep breaths, taking time to really listen and feel each one. Inhale in through your nose for 4 and exhale out through your mouth for 5
Doing these steps can feel positive and empowering and set the tone for your day.
Value is the regard that something is held to deserve and the importance, worth or usefulness of something. So what about the value you place on yourself? ANYTHING that makes you feel good or gives you a spring in your step is adding value to you as a person.
Take time to acknowledge how well you’ve done something or how proud of yourself you are for achieving something. This doesn’t have to be monumental, small things are no less significant if they mean a great deal to you.
2) Ways in which you can value yourself:
Schedule time for yourself. Actually block out and set aside up to 20 mins daily. Shift the narrative, don’t feel guilty, feel worthy.
Protect that time. Do something, anything that you feel like doing, be it reading your favourite book, listening to music or just sitting quietly in contemplation with a cup of tea.
We all have different strengths and different skills but we are all GOOD at something and it’s about taking the time to celebrate that for a moment, seeing value in yourself. It may not be important to others but it is to you and that in itself is empowering.
Setting boundaries - there is no guilt in saying ‘no’ to realize your own needs. While you are busy looking after everyone else, it’s easy to lose yourself a little along the way. Boundaries help protect your energy which directly impacts your hormonal wealth, emotional balance and long term wellness.
3) Simple ways to set boundaries you can stick to
Say ‘no’ you don’t have to explain why
Ask for help – and receive it
Let go of guilt – it’s negative energy
Boundaries are there to protect your self-worth and self-preservation.
Everybody needs a little time in their day for themselves “me time” it’s what gives us the energy to give our best to the other people and other things in our life. It’s easy to lose sight of ourselves in the hustle and bustle of life but its important to protect our wellbeing and look after our wellness to make us feel more fulfilled, more satisfied and happier about life.
4) Wellness “Me time” could be :
A mindful 10 min walk – space to breathe and reset
Eating lunch without multitasking – switching off or using the time to think during the time it takes to eat.
Drinking water and breathing deeply between meetings – a moment of calm and serenity.
Turning your skincare or bedtime routine into a calming ritual – getting into the habit of a relaxing wind down from your day, in preparation for resting and sleeping.
Simple things that bring you back to yourself and remind you that you matter too.
Final thoughts
It’s all about time. Allowing yourself a little bit of time to ‘just be’ without distraction or responsibility. As a woman, you’re often pulled in all directions with everybody wanting a piece of you. When you prioritize a moment for yourself you are prioritizing your wellness and as a result everything else in your life will align more easily.
P.S. One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is time. Instead of wishing you had more time for yourself in your life, make sure you do.
“Until you value yourself, you won’t value time.” M Scott-Peck
What is one loving habit you can start today? Leave a comment or journal it.
I launched Positive Soul with the intention of helping women feel better about themselves and more empowered and positive, particularly during the perimenopause and menopause. As a woman in her fifties and going through this transition myself I am aware of the need to find the time and space to allow yourself to breathe, and how hard that can be. If you would like to find out more about what wellness coaching can do for you.