Monday Musings Vol. 7 // "Me Time”
Happy Monday folks! It’s time for some Monday Musings. This Monday I’m going to muse about something that I think we all need to muse about every once in a while, “Me time”. Self-care is a hot topic right now, and the older I get the more I understand why… Life can be hard! We all have a lot of things going on, priorities shifting day to day, things popping up on our to-do list that you never knew were coming, one of the kids coming down with the flu, or a parent needing more help then they did a year ago. All of these things, when looked at as a group, makes you wonder, “How do we ever get anything done in this world of chaos?!” I think the one thing I keep coming back to is something I’ve been told a few times in my “growing up” stages – “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Meaning, you can’t give anything unless you have something to give, and you won’t have something to give unless you stop and replenish your coffers. At the end of the day when you strip all the titles you hold you are just “you” and don’t you want to be the best version of “you” that you can be? Can you do that when you’re going a million miles and hour?
Believe me, spending time on "me” isn’t the easiest thing in the world. Sure, I might relax and watch some TV, but even then, I’ve got my phone in hand or computer on my lap, “not working” but working. Over the past couple of months, I’ve really tried to make the switch and make my “Me Time” really about me, and I highly recommend it. Her are a few actionable things I do to help me close my mind and just spend some time on self-care.
Hit the sidewalks
Quite possibly the easiest to implement is the first one – go for a walk. But you can’t simply go for a walk, you have to go for a walk and shut off. Don’t take your phone if you’re the type of person that can’t stop looking at it… you know if this is you. If you do take it, put it on do not disturb and turn off the notifications, most things can wait 30 minutes and you know it! I’ve been trying to walk daily for the past few weeks and I’ll tell you the days I don’t, I can tell. So, turn on your favorite playlist, and hit those sidewalks! If you’ve been around a while, you know I have a Monday Musings playlist that has all my favorite things I’ve been listening to recently. Check it out! If you have new song suggestions, send them over!
Luxury at your finger tips
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about creating time for myself is that you do have to take advantage when you can, and that means being prepared. About a year ago I discovered this totally unknown section at World Market. I know, so random, but they have all these great face masks and body scrubs! Did you know this existed? Anytime I go, I stock up on any and all mask varieties. Then, when I do find time for some “me time”, I have everything I need to make the moment totally luxurious. I’ve found that waking up (or going to sleep) 20-30 minutes earlier, taking my shower, and masking up, makes all the difference when I know I’m going to have a long day/week.
Just for fun
Choose to do something weekly just for fun. For me, it’s trash TV and podcasts. I LOVE a great reality show, and I love a great reality show cast member’s podcast even more… There are so many good podcasts right now it’s hard to choose a favorite, but I’m loving anything with Wells Adams… grant it, he’s in like every iHeart podcast there is… but still, I just think he’s great. I also love the Scrubbing In podcast with Tanya Rad and Becca Tilley. If you haven’t listened, it’s centered around their love for Grey’s, so I totally relate. TV wise, it’s hard not to mention Very Cavallari. I’m obsessed with Jay and Kristen, and I love sitting down, plugging my phone in the other room, leaving my laptop on my desk, and just focusing on the insanity that is their life. I think the biggest take-away of this “Just for Fun” part is that you have to shut off and just placing your attention on the insanity/fun of whatever you’re doing. If it’s watching a chick flick or listening to a comedian you love… whatever it is, it’s about shutting off and just focusing on the enjoyment of it all. What’s something you do that’s totally ridiculous and at it’s core just “fun”?
Make Every Hotel a spa
If you follow me on the gram, you know that I travel pretty often for work. Sometimes these trips can be stressful/exhausting. This past year Target really changed the travel game by selling travel size lux products. They have everything from body scrubs to clay masks, and everything in between. Now, when I travel I make sure some of these spa-like items are in my toiletry bag. The first night I arrive, I try to get back to the room early, put on a face mask, and relax. The older I’m getting the more I’m realizing how important it is to take care of your skin, especially when you’re traveling. If you keep this stuff with you, even the Homewood Suites can feel like a luxury hotel (not really, but let’s pretend).
What about you? What are some things you do to find some time for yourself? Share them below, I’d love to hear your tips and tricks to keep sane!
