Time To Be Me days

Stop for a while...

From time to time it is very useful to take the time to stop and make space - just to make room for stocktaking and finding out what you are doing and where you are coming from, and where you actually want to go. Or maybe to work on a project that you have wanted to start for a while but just never get around to. Or to simply sit still and be quiet for a day, reading, listening to music, or doing nothing at all.

How to start with doing less

Because it nearly always seems as if we don't have time to do this, it is important to think ahead, find a whole day in your diary that is free - and claim it. Then prepare for the day by following the steps as outlined.

Doing more of less

These are the steps:

1. Think of how you want to use the day: writing, planning, thinking, meditating, drawing, clearing a room, painting the kitchen, listening to music, playing music, singing, reading, learning a new skill that you've wanted to explore for a while... it doesn't matter, all that matters is that you choose ONE THING, and you give yourself the whole day to do it.

2. Make sure you have everything you will need (to do whatever you choose) beforehand; get the paints out if you want to paint, get the books you want to read ready, have everything in place.

3. That includes taking care of your meals: have nice but simple foods ready that don't take a long time to prepare; do as much as you can beforehand, and have small and healthy portions (big heavy meals will make you want to sleep). Drink as much herbal tea or water in between the breaks as you feel like.

4. Make a structure for the day: start at a time you choose beforehand, say 9am, then do 2 hours of whatever it is you have chosen to do, have a small break of 15 mins for a little snack, then do another 2 hours till lunch (30 mins), then 2 hours till a 15 mins tea break and another 2 hours will take you up to 6 pm. Of course you can make the slots in between shorter, say 90 mins, but whatever you choose decide beforehand on the times and then set an alarm: strangely the day is usually more beneficial if you put a structure in place.

5. If you feel tired (some quiet activities like reading could make you feel very sleepy at some point) just let yourself sleep for a while and then continue. Don't struggle with sleep: it is pointless. If you end up sleeping the whole day then you either really needed it badly or you have an enormous resistance to doing what you say you want to do... or both! Whatever it is, don't beat yourself up and just plan another Time To Be Me day and start again.

6. Obviously you don't want to be disturbed. For some people this easier to arrange than for others. Do what you can: switch of your phone and mobile, tell people beforehand, make it as much as possible a day that is really just for you.

7. Most likely you will come up against resistance sooner or later, and will want to go and eat, put the telly on, phone a friend, clean the kitchen, go for a walk... anything to escape doing what you said you wanted to do. Just watch it and know that it is part of why you never do this: because it is actually much harder than it seems. Coming back to some kind of quietness, and to connect with yourself is wonderful but also scary - as you may start to remember things that you usually push away with your busy-ness. Just remember that it is really worth it because you will find that if you stick with it, the day will usually make you feel more whole, inspired and refreshed.

How I can help

Of course you can do this on your own and I hope you will use this page to encourage you, and that you will have many enjoyable Time To Be Me days. However, some people may want to use my support and expertise to help them organise their TTBM day. Sometimes it is so much easier to have somebody reminding you that it is really OK to stop, and that you are not bad or lazy for doing this! On the contrary, it is usually one of the best things you can do for yourself and others.

So, if you want me to talk you through it and support you, just give me a call, or email me; and we can arrange some TTBM day sessions - I'm looking forward to hearing from you

Support

Time To Be Me coaching sessions: £60 for two half hour sessions...one before, one afterwards.
Contact me to start planning your Time To Be Me day now!