How to Make Time For Yourself

Work, chores, family obligations, laundry, working out: sometimes there is just not enough time in the day. So how do you make time for yourself, to fill your cup, and do something you love.

I realized at the start of the pandemic how little hobbies I had. I was always working, working out, and watching TV. I wanted to make changes to have a more creative and active life. I have a nice balance now and found how to create time and space for me. Here’s what that might look like:

Hobby Days

I started planning hobby days - typically a week night that I block off and only work on hobbies. Right now, that’s Tuesday nights for me. After the gym, I come home and try out new hobbies. Sometimes it’s gardening, French practice, art, or just reading. It’s nice to have dedicated time to focus on what feels good.

An Hour A Day

Even though I have a dedicated hobby day, I do try to give myself an hour a day. Whether that’s at the gym, or French practice, or an hour of reading before bed, I love giving myself time to do something I love.

Ask for It

I love Jake but we don’t have the same hobbies. I had to be clear with him on what I needed. I told him I needed an hour to focus on this hobby or to spend time meditating and he really respected that space.

Change Your Mindset

It was actually my therapist who recommended seeing everything I do in my life as self-care. Work is self-care because it’s a way to live out my passion and be productive/get my brain working. Cleaning is self-care because I can focus on cleaning and my environment is a scared space for a clear head. Once you start thinking of everything as an act of self-care, you start to find more time for job in the day.

Morning/Night Routines

Develop routines at the beginning and end of your day. Even if it’s five minutes that’s five minutes to focus on yourself.

Making time for yourself is so important. In a world demanding your attention, sometimes you need the most attention from yourself.