Does an age arrive when suddenly we have lots of free time and don’t know what to do with it? Having read thousands of responses to my blog posts, I can say this: Most are loving the lives they’ve created—but life is busy!
For most of our lives, we’ve been operating in two modes: work and rest. Free time may have been, and may still appear to be, something that we get after everything else is done. But it’s time to change that mindset. It’s not just about work and rest, it’s about ‘me time’ too. It’s okay to slow down and make yourself a priority. Here are a few areas where we can add some color to our schedules:
- Exercise is not another job. It is how we clear our heads, increase motivation, build energy, and improve our likelihood of a longer, healthier life so that we can enjoy our time better. Whether a walk, a class or a visit to a gym, exercise is just as important as any work task.
- When we’re called upon to assist others, whether it’s with homework or other tasks, setting a deadline can be a game-changer. For instance, I’ve always made it clear that my homework help ends at 8:00 PM. This approach of setting time limits can be applied to many other responsibilities, reducing the feeling of being constantly on call.
- Playtime is not just for kids. Setting dates with ourselves and others helps everyone plan. My parents went out every Friday night for pizza and beer. When they came home, they went straight to their bedroom and none of us five kids bothered them. This showed us all how they prioritized alone time. We learned that this was the night to feed ourselves and make our own plans. Whether it’s seeing a friend, having a dinner date, taking a stroll through a park, enjoying a massage, attending music events, going on a museum trip—whatever. Setting a time to do whatever you want and prioritizing it is important.
- It’s crucial to define life-work boundaries, including when you will or won’t check emails and take calls. Not sure how? Imagine you’re passionately making love. Would you stop to check your email? Doubtful. Take the visual further. Is it okay to interrupt your meals? Take time away from family? We all need to define our home boundaries or life gets too crowded. It’s about taking control and reducing stress.
Free time isn’t a leftover that we possibly get after everyone else has had their fill. We’re entitled to a healthy piece of our pie of life!
Lots more ways for you to learn more about yourself for greater personal and professional success here: https://www.perception-dynamics.com/perception-dynamics-the-programs
