Having your own interests and maintaining a sense of self is so important. The common platitude of looking after yourself in order to be able to look after others is often touted, but often not given much more than word service. Finding the time and energy to invest in your own pursuits is daunting.
To some (all?) what I am about to say might seem like the fun police have rocked into town, but this has helped me sooo much and after all isn’t the point of this blog to espouse my own hard won gains in order to maybe help someone else . . .
So my life changing advice is to make a to do list of things you like to do! I made a 40 for 40 list (still 3 years and a little more than 3 weeks away).
This includes the big ticket travel items and once in a lifetime experiences, but mostly I wrote things that I want to do, but never prioritise.
- Read 40 books
- Watch 40 classic films
- Learn 40 baking techniques i might need on GBBO (never applying!)
- Cook 40 new recipes
- Complete 20 craft projects
- Do a sprint triathlon
- Go to a Chinese supermarket
- Do 40 spins of a hula hoop
- Grow a vegetable
- Make a piece of jewellery
- Throw a pot
- Go camping as a family
For me this has helped me to legitimise my ME time. This may detract from it for some. But now if I sit down to watch a film or lie in the bath to read a book I am actively working towards achieving a goal, MY goals for ME – instead of stressing about what else I should be doing to achieve my work or family goals instead.
And to me there is very little else in life that trumps the pleasure of crossing something off a to do list!
Mumma Pod 