I know this has been said by every generation, but geez, why is life so busy? And why do we feel so guilty when we take time for ourselves?
Today I have at least three (potentially) uninterrupted hours in which to write. And I already feel guilty about it–there is ALWAYS stuff I could be doing instead of writing, which is difficult, and doesn’t make my house any cleaner. The same feeling springs up, only worse, when I sit down to read–I don’t watch much TV, reading is my entertainment, and yet, whenever I read, unless I am also doing something else (at the gym, doing laundry, sitting with the son while he does homework), my mind buzzes with other things I could be doing.
When he was younger, my son liked to read a book called Take Time To Relax by Nancy Carlson which detailed the lives of the busy Beavers. They had aerobics, and cake-decorating class, and computer class, and working late, and all sorts of stuff that kept them on the go. When a big snowstorm hits, they’re stuck inside, so they pop popcorn and sing songs. When the roads are clear, and they could jump back into their busy lives, they decide to take more time for themselves.
I wish I was a beaver and had a big snowstorm trap me inside so I couldn’t do all the stuff that buzzes in my head. But since I am not (although, as previously noted, I have one enormous wood-chewing tooth), I have to force myself to relax. Which means turning off my brain and allowing myself to fall into the moment. So today I am going to do nothing but write and drink tea, at least for a few hours. Because I am busy, and must also schedule time for myself.
How do you take time for yourself? What are your favorite indulgences?
What is this “time for yourself” of which you speak? (says the woman with the full-time job, the husband, the 2-year-old, the stubborn determination to keep writing no matter what, and the muse that refuses to give her ideas not requiring research both extensive and intensive to do them justice)
My favorite indulgence? Just getting a chance to read with no interruptions. I’m already looking forward to my trip to the Historical Novel Society conference in June because I’ll be flying cross-country by myself and staying in a hotel room all to myself. All that delicious peace and quiet! And there won’t be any toys scattered across the hotel room floor!
Well, there’s always eatting chocolate. . . 🙂 And sleeping. 🙂
Lois
Susan, there is nothing like a hotel room to oneself and time with people who love what you love. And chocolate is pretty nice, too, Lois.
I watch TV to relax. Dumb TV like What Not to Wear, How Do I Look, Top Chef, Project Runway, House Hunters, Designed to Sell.
And I tend to indulge myself with seeing friends – hardly ever refuse a lunch invitation!
I used to find train trips in England very soothing for similar reasons to the Beavers and their snow, Megan! I was trapped, and couldn’t do anything useful… So I could stare out the window, eat egg mayonnaise sandwiches, read, stare out the window more… All with the comfortable feeling that I couldn’t possibly do anything more useful. 🙂
As for indulgences — I like movies, and eating out!
Cara
Ah, yes, the ever elusive guilt free time for oneself! I forever feel like I am streaking* into a room having to use my sneaker heels for brakes! So what are my indulgences….a full body massage, hot stones, THE WORKS! followed by a manicure. I’ll let you know when this will happen because I can’t even find the time to get my eyebrows waxed!
BTW, there’s such a thing as guilt free writing time? Who knew!
*Please note this is not streaking as in bare arsed running across the Oscars stage streaking!
It’s only when I read books/blogs/correspondence after everyone else has gone to bed that I feel I can truly relax and be there for myself. Other times, it’s always “Mama” or “Sweetie” or the laundry or the 101 different things that have to happen in order for a civilized life to continue uninterrupted.
And I charge through that life with bushy eyebrows and lipstick a distant memory.
That is why, being ill with the flu is like that hotel room: I can lie in bed all day and read without feeling guilty. What a luxury a fever can be! 🙂
I would never put chocolate under “indulgences.” That’s a necessity, by God, like brushing teeth and drinking water.