Make Some Time for Yourself
* July. Create one day of solitude. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to set aside one day--or even half a day to begin with--each month that you can spend in solitude. Turn off the phones, the fax, the music, and don’t schedule any interactions with the people who fill your life. Just you.
Spend your time in the quiet of your home, go for a walk in the silent woods or along an uncrowded beach. Imagine a shield of solitude around you that allows you to get back in touch with your own thoughts and feelings. Most of us live such busy lives, with so many voices vying for our attention.
On this one day every month, vow that the only voice you’ll hear is your own inner voice. Sit down right now and write that time into your calendar each month, and let nothing interfere with that date with yourself.
* August. Break one bad habit. Most of us have at least one bad habit that no longer adds anything positive to our lives but which we continue because we haven’t made the effort to stop. This could be anything from eating too many sweets, watching too much TV or being addicted to the Net to nagging the kids, shopping compulsively or never being on time. Most habits get started because they seem to bring some kind of reward or benefit to our lives. Perhaps the benefits were never there to begin with, or maybe they’ve just ebbed with time.
This month, take a habit that is causing you more trouble than pleasure and break it. Avoid the situations that trigger it. When you’re tempted to fall into your old pattern, change course and do something entirely different. Hook up with a buddy for encouragement, motivation and support. Have some fun with the process: Give yourself a gold star for every day you get through without indulging in the old habit. Just think: By the end of the month, you could be back in control of that area of your life.
* September. Give up one obligation. Labor Day usually signifies the end of relaxation and the return to full-throttle living. But before you sign up for those committees, projects, campaigns and drives that jam your calendar every season, decide that this is the year you’ll lighten your load. Most people are overextended, and the biggest reason is their inability to say no.
Take a look at your usual commitments and choose one or more you can let go of. When the inevitable phone call comes, say without guilt, “Sorry. I won’t be able to help out this year.” Then use the time to do something you truly enjoy, or do nothing at all.
Next week I’ll have some more ideas for simplifying month by month that will help move you into the new millennium with an easier and more rewarding life.
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Elaine St. James is the author of “Simplify Your Life” and “Simplify Your Life With Kids.” For questions or comments, write to her in care of Universal Press Syndicate, 4520 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111 or e-mail her at estjames@silcom.com.