One Guiding Rule for Your "Me Time"

Photo from Huffington Post

Have you ever had an evening free and you couldn't figure out what to do?

Maybe you had an evening free and your husband or kids were quick to chime in with their plans for you. Or their suggestions.

Or have you spent an entire evening on your own and wished you'd done something completely different?

How do you make the most of your "me time?"

"Me time" is all about taking care of yourself and loving yourself so you can love the other people in your life well. There is really only one rule in figuring out how to spend your "me time:"

Do what you need now!

Not necessarily what you want, but what you need.

Ok, so maybe that's not so easy to figure out. You may have to take a few minutes and ask yourself some questions to figure that out. Here are some questions I find especially helpful:

How do I feel right now? And what can I do to address that feeling?

• Lonely? Sometimes talking with a friend on the phone or having coffee with a friend is the perfect remedy.
• In need of pampering? Take a nice hot bath and add some essential oils to the water. Or maybe go get a pedicure.
• Stuck in a rut? Take a class...a cooking class, a computer class, a literature class, something that connects to your soul.
• Bored? Be courageous and do something you've always wanted to try...rock climbing, cooking, yoga, ballroom dancing, dream a little.
• Stressed? Maybe meditation would bring the calm you need. Or maybe exercise.

What am I craving? I mean really craving?

• Comfort food? Eat something that really satisfies.
• Creativity? Start a new creative project...or finish one that's been sitting waiting for you to pick it up.
• Companionship? Maybe you need a date night with your husband. Or significant other. Or a friend.
• Renewal? Try taking a personal spiritual retreat.
• Getting lost in a great story? Curl up with a highly recommended novel. Or watch a movie you've been wanting to see.
• Art? Wander through a gallery. Go to a museum. Watch an arty film.

What have I recently really wanted to do for myself but couldn't, or didn't, or wouldn't?

• The sky is the limit here. Think about it.
• One of mine was starting a blog...and look where that got me.

I can't tell you the activity you need for your "me time." That is very personal. So many factors figure in:

• Introvert vs. extrovert
• Financial resources
• Personal preferences
• Age
• Interests
• Needs
• This list could go on forever and ever...

Your "me time" is yours. Make it yours and customize it to what you really need at that very moment. Be intentional in discovering what you need.

Most of all enjoy it!