No Time?

We all have the same hours in a day, the same days in a week and weeks in a year.

Of course importantly we all have different pressures on our time. But aside from this, looking at our own available time and how we choose to spend it ... well that is up to us.

Some of us are Early Risers and getting up earlier than needed, allowing time for themselves, be it exercise, alone time or reading maybe. Others are Late Owls who perhaps like to take their exercise in the evening or spend time in front of the TV or doom scrolling. Or maybe you're neither. All still seem to chase their tail.

But how can we fit in more, more of the things we want to do, learn to do, aspire to do? Perhaps by priortising what's important to you personally. It's not about over committing, or accomplishing everything. It's reframing the spare time we do have.

There are three little things that I feel would help us all.

Stop

We can all spend too much time on things we don't particularly enjoy, don't need to do and don't want to do ... But continue to do as it has become a habit. Scrolling - social media, 'news' stories, or from one TV drama to the next. The weird thing is we generally don't feel good for it and it has become a little cycle of how our spare time has formed. So stop. Not all and everything. But perhaps limiting ourselves so it can free up some time. Or perhaps you're a people pleaser and end up feeling a little tired of having no time for yourself. Time for a rethink.

Plan

Consider what you want to do more of, be it reading, gardening, walking, cooking, writing, holidays, days out, learn a language, exercise, yoga, art .... Start the planning. Start small. When you stop a little of the above, you'll start finding some more time. By planning, it will become part of the 'making it happen'. Start to appreciate the open door to this new time and allow it to happen. One way in which I make things happen is by writing it in my calendar. Planning a weekend away - I block it out so nothing gets added. Planning time gardening - I add it to the diary. Make it happen!

Do

Once planned in and time has been allocated, it's now about the action! It'll feel weird at first and perhaps you won't know where to start. Same for us all! Sit with it, go with it. Doesn't matter if it starts slow or (like me) you procrastinate with small tasks around. I often set a timer on my phone to literally remind myself to start doing what I want to do! It's resetting our mind to something different or new. It's allowing ourselves this time. Start booking the trip. Visit the exhibition. Open the book. Buy the ingredients. Get the paint brushes out. Feel the benefit of this new found time.

Would love to know what you're giving up to make more time and what you choose to fit in ...