Remember the days of balancing checkbooks? Each time we spent even a dime it was accounted for in the back of our checkbook, keeping us on top of our monthly budget and reminding us how close we were getting to $0.
We often do the same kind of budgeting with our time- balancing it in our mental checkbook. We spend each of our 24 daily hours on the people and things that require our time, and rarely do we have any extra time left over.
We hit that 0 mark at the end of every day no matter how many more things need our attention. And if once in a blue moon we have time left over, without fail someone will need it used on them.
The same way we can save money by canceling our expensive cable package or eating out less, we can also eliminate things in our lives that cost us time that can be better spent.
When was the last time you had extra time to spend on yourself? If you’re in your child-raising, family-centered, career-building years it’s probably been a while, or you’re thinking to yourself “Never. I never have extra time to spend on myself.” I know how you feel… I’ve been there. If you’re not giving your time to your son or daughter’s PTA you’re giving time to your boss, or your husband, or your friendly neighbor who wants to tell you all the latest neighborhood gossip.
You know what you can get rid of in your day-to-day life that would give you more time for yourself, but the reality is that it’s scary to make those changes.
Deep down you know what would happen if you limited the kids to two after school activities a week, your husband to one weekly dinner with friends and gave that extra time to yourself. People would want explanations!
“Why can’t we go out for a nice dinner with my colleagues if all you’re going to do is sit around and read a book?” asks your husband. With less afterschool activities the kids seem to have stored up more energy than ever and are taking it out on the furniture. And your boss texts you for the umpteenth time asking if you’re going to hit your deadlines. Screaming kids, a demanding husband and a boss who is taking advantage of your dedication don’t set the mood for a quiet night of reading. So, having your own time to relax is “not worth the trouble” and you go back to giving of that time to those who demand it.
Taking time for yourself isn’t as easy as it sounds. That’s why it’s so hard to make it a priority. If it were easy we would all be doing it.
But trust me on this… when you learn to value yourself, the people around you will value you more too.
Ask yourself this… “What am I not doing that makes me happy?”
I love to read a good book and even though it takes up a lot of time I still deserve to take that time to sit in a quiet, dim-lit corner and dive into my favorite paperback.
Now ask yourself this… “What do I need to do to make time for what I love?” What can you eliminate from your week that will allow you some extra spending in your time budget? Can you start a carpooling schedule with another parent? Can a big pot of chili last the week and save you from spending every night in the kitchen cooking?
You deserve to spend some of your time budget on yourself. Make yourself a list of the things that make you happy and start doing one of them today.
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