Teresa Holland
Writer Robert Tew tells us, “Sometimes you need to take a break from everyone and spend time alone, to experience, appreciate, and love yourself.”
Sometimes you just have to take a break… one that feeds your soul and replenishes you. There are certain times in life that the pace of daily living gets too fast or maybe an unexpected loss weighs heavily on you. Maybe you have encountered an unexpected change in circumstances that impacts how you are now living life. It can be during these times that we keep trudging on and never slow down because we feel we have to. We simply do not have time for anything else, or do we? But how do we make time for ourselves amidst all our busyness?
Maybe during these times, the best thing a person can do is to spend a little time on yourself. Sure, there are things that must be done, especially if you are a caregiver of a loved one or have growing children. But taking just a little time for oneself, doing something just for you, can make a world of difference to your personal outlook on life. Do something that you enjoy and lifts your spirit.
Some people like to connect with a good story in a movie or book. Others find rejuvenation by taking a walk and reconnecting through nature. Maybe your favorite part of the day is simply just sitting and watching a beautiful sunset. No matter your age, music can be very uplifting and speaks to us in quite a different way, with a language all its own. Suddenly you hear a favorite song from when you were much younger. For that short while, you are remembering how old you were, who you were with, and what you were doing when you were an agile teenager. It can make you feel young inside all over again… at least for a little while. If nothing else, it can make you smile and bring a bright spot to the day.
It can be really tight for a parent to fit in any time even for one more thing, especially at the end of an exhausting day. But maybe you can grab 10 or 15 minutes somewhere else in the day such as before everyone is out of bed. I can remember as a young mother how this time can be golden. Early in the morning quiet, I liked to read a little while having a cup of coffee. However, one of my friends would use her time to tend to her beautiful flowers. Replenishing yourself is not something you need to feel guilty about. It helps to think of it as an investment in yourself. When you feed your soul, you are more likely to be happier with yourself, more resilient, and have more to give to others whether at home, work, or in other areas of your life.
So, if you need a break that is just for you, try giving yourself a “Gift of Time,” even if only for a little while. Be good and gentle with yourself. Put it on your calendar if that helps. One author, Matt Haig summed it up quite nicely, “Just when you feel you have no time to relax, know that this is the moment you most need to make time to relax.”
Teresa Holland is a guest columnist, writer, and retired advanced-practice registered nurse. Send comments to [email protected]
