Me Time Realisation

Out for a run this morning with Oscar, the dog (listening to Hozier – Take me to Church),  I had a clarification moment. This is normally what I’d call my me-time, but What if my life is all “ME TIME”?

Me time is usually a term used by parents, the uber busy and the overworked to describe 5mins to a couple of hours worth of time where you can sit in peace with a cuppa, have a bath, read a book, go to the gym or a class, get a pamper treatment, have a date. Just time to do something for you.

My aha moment was when I realised, that even the things I don’t like doing have been my choice, in an aim to make the future me happy. Even when I do something for someone else, it makes me feel good .i.e. you go to work at a job you hate, to make money for future you to spend. You help a friend move house, to feel part of something. You give money to charity, it feels good to believe you’re making a difference. This is not a bad thing. You should be doing for the present you or future you all the time.

“I cannot be so self-centred, I have kids that come 1st.”  

You putting your children’s needs ahead of yours is noble but I hate to be the one to tell you this, it’s also for yourself. If the baby is crying, soothing him stops the loud noise causing you a headache right now. A child needs help in the toilet, sitting with him, making sure he wipes his bottom correctly will prevent you having to do it for him. And let us just throw in the social acceptance, wanting your child to succeed & the feelings of knowing you are doing alright as a parent. It’s all for you and that is OK. It is, after all, your life, your time. The world really does revolve around you, like it does everyone else. What we see, feel, experience, is just a reflection of self.

It may hurt, be hard, be sad right now but the future you, thanks you. Life is a series of choices, of living in the present and living for the future. Mix it up and love both present and future you. It’s not only OK to be self-centered, it’s required.

Don’t think of ‘me time’ as a sporadic gift, just know that it’s all my time!