why you need YOU time
I was talking with a client the other day about how emotionally and physically draining it can be to stay at a job that no longer feels good. This person was telling me that they had the opportunity to take time off for self-care and to contemplate what comes next; but that they were having difficulty giving themselves the permission to take that time. They longed for the space to decompress…to heal…to rest and restore. And yet the idea of time off was scary, because they don’t know what comes next, and taking an intentional break feels like a big step into the unknown. In a way, it felt easier for this person to keep grinding away at something that’s not working than to step into a place of not knowing.
I want to talk about why having time to yourself is so important. Not just in theory, but in practice. Why having time for YOU allows you to be in touch with what’s really important. And why knowing yourself and what’s important to you is absolutely crucial in creating a life that you love.
At times, I’ve observed - in myself and in some of my clients - a need to keep moving in a certain direction even when we know that it’s no longer the right direction. An energetic drive that keeps us in a situation that doesn’t feel good anymore. There could be a lot of reasons that we do this. Financial concerns are one. If you’re providing for a family, you may not have the same flexibility that a single person has to take time off for self-care. There may be some kind of contractual agreement to an employer or other situation that you’re honoring. Or maybe there’s a project that you’re trying to complete. There could be lots of reasons that grinding away feels easier than taking a pause.
That said, most of us have a breaking point…a limit to how much stress and discomfort we can endure before taking a step away. And when we DO step away, having some time to rest and care for ourselves and tune into what we’re feeling can bring us back to a kind of equilibrium.
Taking time for yourself may sound like a big undertaking. You might feel like you just don’t have the time for it. But taking time for YOU doesn’t have to be a huge deal. You don’t actually need a lot of time to care for yourself. In fact, it’s probably less about the amount of time than it is the intention to make some space for you and to tune in.
What do you like to do? Take walks in the woods or a nearby park? Go to a cozy coffee shop with your journal? Get in the car and just drive?
Where could you make some space in your day to do something that YOU love…just for you?
If you have a decision to make, or you’re contemplating a life change, or embarking on some kind of exciting project or creation, making time to just be with yourself is so important. I would put it at the top of my list. And by making time for yourself I’m not talking about grabbing a drink with a friend or scheduling a meetup that involves other people. Those are great too, but not the same thing.
I’m talking about carving out a bit of time to just be with YOU.
That’s the only real requirement here…to be with yourself, doing something that you enjoy, or doing nothing at all…whatever feels restorative and good to you. You don’t have to spend your YOU time figuring everything out. You don’t have to think about your situation at all. Just tuning into yourself, into what you feel, into what you need in that moment - that’s enough. And really, you don’t need loads of time to care for yourself in this way. If you have it, great! Take it and enjoy it. If all you can manage is 15 or 20 minutes here and there, that’s perfect too. Even a short bit of YOU time can help you tune in and reset.
When you regularly make time for yourself, you are centering yourself, your own wellness, and your peace of mind in your life.
When you’re centered like this, the changes, the transitions, the decisions, the creating…everything flows better.
How will you take time for YOU today? Tune into my podcast, coming home (to yourself) for more self-care ideas. Or schedule a free connection call with me. As always, may your week be filled with self-love and rich insights. With love, Amy ♡♡♡