Finding time for yourself, being a priority. This seems to be the mountain that we climb everyday and the whole reason that I started the series. All people seem to have a hard time finding time for themselves but it seems that moms have an even harder time with this.
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Alone Time, How to Make Yourself a Priority

Finding time for yourself, being a priority. This seems to be the mountain that we climb everyday and the whole reason that I started the series. All people seem to have a hard time finding time for themselves but it seems that moms have an even harder time with this.

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Finding Time for Yourself, Make yourself a PRIORITY

 

Time for Step 3

I hope the first two have inspired you to start making some changes in your day to life life.

 

I was just thinking that in my last post I said that changing eating habits is the hardest things to do, however I just realized that this is. This is the hardest one. Finding time for yourself. This seems to be the mountain that we climb everyday and the whole reason that I started the series.

All people seem to have a hard time finding time for themselves but it seems that moms have an even harder time with this.

 

But why? Why is this so hard?

The truth I don’t know. Is it culture? Responsibilities? Demands? The way that we think? Poor planning? Priorities? So many possibilities.Every individual is different with different reasons as to why they can or can not do this.

This is the part when you need to reflect. Go grab a piece of paper and start making a list. Go ahead and write it all down. Kids, work, school, family time, cooking, cleaning, gardening classes, gym, pets…. All of it. Write down everything you do in a day. When you are done that list should look pretty scary to you. I have no idea how most people find the time to accomplish in one day what they need to do and that list usually does not include sleep and eating or any of the basics.

Now what?

Organize, Prioritize, Plan

Sounds easy right? In some ways it is and in others its not. How do you really prioritize. Some things just have to be done. Depending on who you are the list of what is important will probably look completely different from mine and that is why you need to do this exercise for yourself.

I can not give you an actual list of what is important and when to do what you think you should do. Why? Because your life is different than mine, your family has different needs than mine, and only you know what really works for you and your family. I can however give you some ideas, and some tricks to get you organized, or to at least start you on a plan.

 

PRIORITIZATION, MAKE A LIST OF

Go and write down everything. List out what your day is like, the things you do, including the ones that you might think are obvious. Then start to put them in a list of how you would like to accomplish them. Try to divide them into daily, weekly, monthly categories. Don’t overthink it, just make a list to get you started.

 

GET A PLANNER

I am a complete paper girl and that it what I recommend to you. Especially at the beginning. It is so nice to be able to see everything that you to do for the week or the month. As you get more organized and more used to what is going on then you can switch over to your favorite digital planners, but I have a feeling that you may just like planning on paper. My favorite planners are Erin Condren planners. If you browse along you will find all kids of things to help you get organized from Life Planners, to fun notebooks, to dry erase reminders. I love it and I am addicted to all of the accessories  she sells.

 

START PRIORITIZING

Now that you have a list take a look and start to categorize. For example the house. Obviously cooking comes before laundry, which comes before cleaning. But again, your house and your family is different so you prioritize. You look at what you need  and go for it!

 

MAKE AND START A NEW ROUTINE

Now get out that fun, beautiful new planner and your favorite pen and go for it. Fill in all those little squares with kids stuff, drs, sports events, even date nights. Yes! Plan them ahead and put them in there, make them happen. Write out meal plans, cleaning dates, laundry reminders. Vet visits, gym schedules, and play dates. Go ahead and fill it up. Then take a deep breath and check it all off as you go along. Set reminders and rewards for yourself. Maybe if you clean the whole house you can go get yourself some new makeup to feel great. If you accomplish the week at the gym you buy a new dress and so on. Write down your rewards and keep going. You got this, you can do it!

 

MAKE TIME FOR YOU

And this is where things start to get tricky. Go back to that beautiful new planner of yours and write in time for yourself. Your goal needs to be an hour a day. Which for some moms is nearly impossible. It could be after the family is asleep, during your lunch break, nap time, getting up earlier than everyone. Think about what will work for you. Think about what you think will work. If you are not sure then, try a few out. See what works and what doesn’t. I have and I quickly found out that getting up early and nap times would not ever work for me. But for some people that I know, they are the perfect times. You are you, so do what will work for you!

 

GET GOING

Stop procrastinating and do it. Lots of times we think of things over and over and tell ourselves that we will get things done tomorrow or this week. We have a great way of telling ourselves many little things, and make excuses constantly. We can keep going until next thing you know it has been a whole year. So, stop and go ahead and start on the new you. The one that is going to accomplish those goals that you have been putting off. The goals that are going to get you closer to that dream of yours whatever it may be!

Don’t forget to read Step ONE, How to become and Early Riser and get your day started right.

as well as Step TWO, Eating Habits to take care of yourself.

Please comment below and let me know how you are doing on the steps. What are your accomplishments? What are you working on? What are you most looking forward to?

 

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2 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing! I agree we have to be more selfish from time to time.

    1. alex says:

      yes ,sometimes it is important. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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