As the year is winding down, I reviewed my bullet journal. I was definitely busy in 2021, but busy with what? The minutiae of daily living. And yet I found myself wanting more time for me. I decided to brainstorm some ways to get myself some more time for myself.
- Unplug the computer. I waste many hours on the computer, checking email, reading articles and surfing. While some of this activity is necessary, I have to keep on myself to limit my time. One way I can do this is to literally unplug my laptop. When the battery is done, so am I.
- Turn Off the Phone. Telephones are there for my convenience. Just because one is ringing doesn’t mean I have to answer it. (Thanks, Chip!) In order to not feel guilty about not answering, though, I turn off the phone. I talk when I want to. This also has the added advantage that I don’t get sucked into games or social media.
- Cut Out Television. I’ve never been a big tv watcher, but the draw is there. I make it a policy that I don’t turn on the television unless there is something specific I want to watch.
- Exercise. I now walk at least an hour every day, and when I do so alone, I can double-duty with this. Besides the benefit of the exercise and fresh air, I can listen to podcasts.
- Get Up Early. I routinely get up at least two hours before the rest of the family on weekdays, but getting up early on weekends means that I have uninterrupted time to do some creative work. Bear in mind – I am not a morning person, but the tradeoff is worth it!
- Stay Up Late. I don’t recommend combining this one with the previous tip, but if you are a night owl, staying up beyond the rest of the family can give you time to yourself as well.
- Split the Sleep. Along with the last two items, a third option is to go to bed early, rise and do things in the middle of the night, and then go back to bed. This seems to work well for those who don’t need much sleep to begin with. I use this tactic when occasional insomnia makes sleep difficult.
- Utilize Lunch Breaks. If you can do activities during your lunch breaks instead of after work or on weekends, you will free up that much more time. I routinely do my Duolingo and music practicing during lunch, but I could also add in reading.
- Hire A Sitter. If you have young children, hiring a babysitter can work, even if you are going to stay at home. While my husband was recovering from an appendectomy, I wanted to get my daughter’s room painted. A teenager we knew was very happy to play outside with my daughter and get paid. My daughter is currently doing this for a neighbor, taking care of the kids so the mother can have some time to work on projects at home.
- Have A “Me” Evening. When my daughter was young and my husband traveled for work, I was able to wrangle a “me” night every week. I could leave my daughter with him and do what I wanted to. Even with pandemic, I can retreat to my writing studio or bedroom to have some time to focus on my own projects.
- Schedule Time. If you are schedule-driven, and honor your scheduled commitments, put time for yourself on the schedule. Just make sure you treat it with the same importance you would an appointment with someone else.
- Drive in Silence. If you need solitude and unwinding time, turn off the radio during your commute. Focusing on the drive itself without the worries of the world pressing in can give you some breathing room to unwind.
- Limited Multitasking. I am not a fan of multi-tasking, but sometimes it can be beneficial. I download many podcasts that I enjoy listening to (and my family does not). I listen while I am walking the dog, cleaning, or walking outside. It has two benefits: I get to do something I enjoy while performing a necessary task, and it also isolates me a bit from the hubbub of the home.
- Take Your Time In the Bathroom. For those with young children, bathroom time is rarely alone. Even since she is older, she doesn’t necessarily leave me alone, and one or more of the animals will generally find their way in. I lock the door and take my time, giving myself a bit of space.
- Make Weekends For You. If at all possible, get all your work – home and paid – done during the week, so that you have weekends completely free. I use this tactic, along with getting up at 6 a.m. on Saturdays, to knock out large chunks of writing.
It isn’t always easy to find time for ourselves, whether for a project, or just for a moment to unwind. Look for hidden opportunities during the day, and you might be surprised at the little amounts you can use!
