Just a Little Pause

All of our phones and tablets and Bluetooth devices need to recharge their batteries. So why are we so quick to judge ourselves when we need the same????

I was guilty of this judgement of myself more times than I’d like to admit in my lifetime. A little chill time for myself was unheard of. Afterall…. “I don’t have time for that. I have too much to get done!!” …was on repeat in my mind daily.

And then…. I did a Time Audit and hung it on the wall in my home office, so I would not forget to do it through week. At first it felt a little daunting, but I’m a determined person. And as the week went on, the picture of my time became clear….but not to me.

Boyfriend, looking at the sheet of paper one night, says “I noticed you don’t have any blank areas on this chart. Don’t forget the chill time!”

I don’t know why, after 40 years, this was the spark that I needed. But it did the trick.

I started scheduling “chill time” into my calendar. Yup! Actually, put it on the calendar!! Somedays it was only 5 minutes and somedays I took more time. But it was always time just for me.

What did I do during "Chill Time”?

It might be surprising, but it wasn’t all face masks and pedicures….. although I do love me some time soaking my feet in those tubs with all the jets!!….

For me, sitting on my back porch with a book for 5 minutes is a great recharge. You’ll also find me journaling all my mind clutter out, balancing my checkbook and checking my financial statements, meditating to center, and some yoga postures to stretch out the tight muscles.

And when I’m feeling extra carefree and young-at-heart, I’ll dance and sing around the house, relax into grass staring at the clouds, and do cartwheels around my backyard.

On my busiest days, I still find some time…it may only be a couple minutes, but it’s something and I take it. For those days, I find myself a small quiet corner of the universe that I can be momentarily alone and take 3 deep breaths…in thru the nose for a count of 4 and out thru the mouth for a count of 6.

And EVERYTHING still gets done!!!

As I started doing these simple practices, I discovered that somedays I just want to keep going with the chill time longer because I feel so good. Amazingly I am still getting everything done during my busy, busy day. I even find myself being more productive with my day. And my stress levels and emotions have been so much more relaxed!

All because I take a PAUSE… just for me to chill!!