What’s your ‘Me Time’?

I got my husband to pick the card for a change. The card that came was ‘Self Care’ - which is connected to the emotional care part of our Inner Being.

Incidentally, it was a Saturday. Guess that makes it more interesting to get this card over the weekend. But a contradictory or rather complementary view I hold is that ‘Self Care’ need not be just for the weekend, a ‘whenever I get some free time’ kind of thing. Self Care can even be a tiny practice or moment every day where we truly take care of ourselves. Extend the same love, care and compassion that we have for others – to our own self. It’s in acknowledging our own needs and accepting and loving exactly who we are – AS WE ARE!

Do we have a ‘Me time’? Some of us do – either consciously or unconsciously. Some of us want to have – but the classic “I don’t have the time” comes in between. Sometimes we even feel guilty taking the ‘me time’ as that translates as “thinking only about me” or “the time I take for myself is time not given to kids or family”; “this means I am keeping my needs higher” and so on. I have in many forms heard the saying “Only when you truly care and love yourself, can you truly care and love the other”.??What you do unto you – you naturally allow and encourage the same in the other.

Your 'Me time' is like taking the time to charge your batteries. The more charge you have, the more you fully be and participate in life. And the more energy you can give to friends, family, people, projects and world at large that you care about.

This card got me thinking What’s my ‘Me Time’?

I enjoy variety. There were so many things that popped up in my head. A meal by myself in front of a program I like, dancing to music that really resonates with me, driving with music I like, reading a paragraph of any spiritual or philosophical text. What has also been built as a practice over the years is connecting to nature and grounding in mud or earth. Even drawing mandalas.

One of my clients was saying that for her – a walk with her family in the evening is her ‘me time’. Seems different. Whatever rejuvenates her, we honor that. In fact, I often love the time I spend with close people I care about. It leaves me nourished in a different way.

For some I know, ‘Me Time’ is almost a sacred space or routine. I have heard people sharing that their gym time is really their ‘Me Time’. An executive leader I know said the drive back from the office back home is the time for reflection and self.

For some I know, it’s a me space. A place or corner of the house, or desk etc. which is completely their own and they spend some time in that space. And somehow it centers them.

What I am saying is that it does not matter what it is - but it is something that rejuvenates our being, and refreshes us. Or It’s what gives us happiness and buoyancy to life. And lastly, It’s what keeps us focused, centered or anchored. Nourishment for our inner being – if you will.

I end with a quote “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive” (Howard Washington Thurman).??

So, What’s your ‘Me Time’? What Rejuvenates You? What gives you sheer joy and happiness? Make time for it. Make Self Care a routine.

Do share what you do towards 'Self Care' and inspire others!?

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This Article is written by?Dr. Uma Narayanan, Director & Lead Anchor at People First. Leadership & Life Coach.