What does “me time” look like? This is a question I asked a client a few months ago during one of our coaching sessions. Me time, I find it so amazing how we will make time for others when they may need a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen to, or even an errand to run. How interesting it is that even at times when it is not convenient for you, you will still find time for others. I ask, why is it we may value the time others need of us, and not the time we may need from ourselves. Is “me time” important to you? Aren’t you worthy to have time carved out for you as well? If the answer is yes, are you acting on it?

In my work as a life coach, I find so many people’s day-to-day lives defined by other people’s schedules and time frames. What if you carved out a bit of your day, or your week, for yourself? How much more productive could you be to yourself and others? Remember, you cannot give fully to others if you are working from a half tank yourself.

After speaking with my client and asking her consent to share her “me time” experience, I thought you could appreciate an insider’s view. I offer this to you this week in hopes that it brings significance and importance back into your own life:

“What does ‘“me time’ look like? I never really answered that. It looks like lazy mornings in bed, rain outside my window, and me journaling quietly in my cozy bed—and puppy nearby. It looks like a quiet walk through the side streets of my neighborhood as I breathe in fresh air and notice sights and sounds I’ve never been aware of before. It looks like a long drive with no destination in sight until I arrive at the home of good friends in the frosty mountains of Pennsylvania. It looks like a leisurely train ride South that takes me back to my trip as a youth. And during this 12-hour journey, I write stories and songs and thoughts and poems, I write my heart out. Upon arrival, I spend ‘us time’ with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins until it’s time to return home, days later, and return to 12 hours more of ‘me time’ on the journey home. Hmmm, that sounds really good. I hope I’m not romanticizing it, but I think I’d really enjoy such a journey, a journey of mind, body and spirit all at once.”

What I love most about the journal entry above is that this is a visual experience of what my client anticipates. Mentally, “me time” was created by just pondering the thoughts, putting them on paper and envisioning the places, the feelings and the emotions of what this time would be like. In that very moment, “me time” was present.

How about for yourself; what does it look like for you? This week, I charge you to write your “me time” experience. Better yet, why don’t you take that time for yourself? Even if you have to schedule it in as an appointment, do so. It will be good time well spent.

Until next week,
Stay connected to what you value most!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This motivational thought is adapted from Life and Business Coach Natasha Haughton's new book, God, use me for real: A path toward a happy and fulfilling life. A highly respected speaker and coach, Natasha is co-founder of Vision Manifest.com. You can email her at natasha@visionmanifest.com, or visit www.visionmanifest.com.