This summer I'm posting articles from a series I wrote on An Author's Time. Last week, I shared about the importance of making time for family, but today I want to concentrate on your free time or "me-time." I'm sure most of you are like me, and you're scratching your head and saying "Me-time? What's that?"
As a mother of three daughters and a wife to a self-employed husband, I sometimes have a hard time fitting that precious "me-time" into my weekly schedule. My work days aren't just about writing. There's always something to do or somewhere to go. Usually, when I do find that wee bit of free time for myself, I'm too tired to do anything but take a nap or go to bed. I'm sure your life is much the same.
Yet, we all know how important free time is for our creativity. To just sit back and relax a moment--thirty to sixty minutes once a week, to read a book, soak in a tub, write a letter, take a leisurely stroll or enjoy a hobby. Life is busy, but if you can, take time to play the piano, knit, take pictures of bugs or flowers, or bake cookies (not because you have to, but because you enjoy it and find it relaxing.)
This free time shouldn't be confused with family time or devotion time, which are just as important and offer their own benefits in making you a well-rounded person. If you need to, go to bed early or wake up thirty minutes before you normally would--whatever works with your schedule. Maybe you have a few moments in your afternoon when you could prop your feet up and give yourself a manicure or (dare I say) just sit and donothing.
This simple bit of "me-time" can be so fulfilling and relaxing that it will free up your mind, body, and soul so you can get on with your busy life as a writer. Please share with us here. How and when do you fit "me-time" into your life? Next week, I'll share another important aspect in an author's time schedule--learning time. Until then, enjoy the moments . . .
